In Apex, most commercial plumbing calls involve drain and sewer clogs, restroom repairs, water heaters and the testable backflow assemblies the Town of Apex requires to be checked every year. Apex runs its own water and sewer, and its cross-connection rules were updated in 2024. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Apex.
Apex buildings and the Town's utility rules
Apex grew around a railroad-town downtown that is still intact, and much of the rest of town is very new: the median home was built in 2008. Commercial space ranges from older storefronts in the Apex Historic District to recent buildings along NC 55, US 1 / US 64 and the Apex Peakway.
The Town of Apex runs its own water distribution and sewer. Water is treated at the Cary/Apex plant on Jordan Lake, and wastewater goes to the Town's Middle Creek facility and the Western Wake Regional plant shared with Cary and Morrisville. The Town maintains the public side of each service line; the property owner owns and maintains the private side.
Apex's cross-connection section, in effect since June 11, 2024, is specific. Testable assemblies are tested by a Town-registered certified tester at installation and every year after. Results go into the AquaResource system within 10 days, and a failed assembly has to be repaired within 10 days. Lawn irrigation must use a reduced pressure (RP) assembly.
Common commercial jobs compared
| Job | Typical trigger | What it usually involves |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen or main line clearing | Slow sinks, floor drain backups | Cable or jetting, sometimes a camera to check the line |
| Backflow repair or replacement | Failed annual test | Rebuild kit or new assembly, then a retest filed with the Town |
| Water heater replacement | Not enough hot water, leaking tank | Sizing for the building, a permit and an inspection |
| Fixture and flush valve work | Running toilets, worn faucets | Parts or full replacement, often after hours |
Signs it's time to call
- More than one drain backing up at once
- Sewer odor inside the building or near a cleanout
- A failed backflow test with the 10-day repair clock running
- Hot water that fades during the busiest hours
Timing notes for Apex businesses
Apex water switches from chloramine to chlorine for a few weeks each spring (late February into April, per the Town), which can change taste or odor briefly; that's normal. Plan backflow testing so a failed assembly can be fixed inside the Town's window. Apex requires a permit even for a like-for-like water heater swap, so build in time for that before an old tank fails.
Commercial Plumbing questions in Apex
What kind of backflow assembly does a commercial water service need?
How often does a commercial backflow assembly have to be tested?
How is a commercial water heater different from a residential one?
In a leased space, does the landlord or the tenant handle plumbing repairs?
More plumbing services in Apex
Commercial Plumbing nearby
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