Locating water at a strip mall?????

K

krisp23

New member
I have never done any work for a strip mall before, and I had someone who owns one ask me for a quote today to do the sidewalks. The probelm I am having is locating a water source. I have tanks, but do not have them hooked up yet. Is there some sort of "strip mall secret" to locating water? The mall is free standing and only 300 feet long. There is a 10ft overhang with brick pillars out front. I drove around the entire building and did not see any water outlets like I am used to seeing at the restaurants I do. Any help would be appreciated.
 
ron p

sometimes they are covered with a metal plate.
Some of these metal plates have locks.
Most are turned on with a WATER KEY not a handle.
I think you can get them at home depot, it looks like a small 4 ended tire wrench.
Why not ask the owner?
Depending on flow of the spigot and your GPM you will prob. need at least 1 tank hooked up so you dont run your pump dry.
These plates should be about 12 ft from the enterance to each store or every 50 ft.
 
I've dealt with the metal plates and have several water keys (I tend to loose them and find them again later). I walked around this place 3 times and didn't find a single spigot on the building or the columns, even in the back of the place. I did ask the owner of the strip mall and he didn't have a clue. That is why I was wondering if there is some sort of secret hiding place that water is put on strip malls. Maybe behind a brick or something. The only thing I could think of was that maybe it is in the ground with the landscaping or something???
 
It sounds to me like you only options at this point are to either get your tanks hooked up or see if the owner can make an inside water source available for you.
 
Sometimes you can access water thru the irrigation system for landscaping........if they have one.
 
ron p

find out about the laws and rules of useing a fire hydrent. Go to the water co. to find out.
 
Irrigation quick couplers, often located under a green valve box cover that are round and about 8" in diameter and sometimes free standing, are a good water source, provided that the main valve is on. This all depends on who designed the system.
If you locate one of these lines, test run it for awhile, and confirm that the line is continuously charged, or else you will run out of water, and when the system comes on, the main may break from water hammer.
If you do find some quick couplers, you will need the male part. They are usually available at well stocked plumbing and irrigation
store. I have seen them at Home Depot for about $13.00 for the bottom half and then you add a normal hose bibb for a few more. Should be no more than $20.00
 
I have had this problem too. I asked and found out that the water had to come form a janitor's room inside the building. Kind of a pain but I made it work.
 
its not legal, but the fire risers have a test nozzle. Dont use them with out checking with the monitoring company. flow can cause the alarm to sound.

Also the back flow valve on the irrigation system, this is a 3 inch line. its might be in a room as well.

i have found the maintenance room or the green boxes the best source.

Wait!!!!!! your in chicago, just slid the irish water inspector 50.00..LOL just kidding those days are over..
 
I do not know about other parts of the country, but here in atlanta I can get a hook up for the fire hydrant with a meter from the county water Dept. and a permit then each month take the meter to them they read it and bill me for the water used.
 
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