Pre-Market Plumbing Checklist For High Point Rentals And Showrooms
A plumbing failure in Market week costs more than at any other time. A walkthrough a month ahead is cheap insurance.
- Sourced guidance
- High Point area
- Updated October 2026
Market Weeks Put Every Fixture Under Load
High Point Market takes place twice a year, in April and October, across roughly 11.5 million square feet of showroom space in about 180 buildings, according to the High Point Market Authority. The Fall 2026 Market runs October 17 to 21. Spring 2027 runs April 10 to 14, and Fall 2027 runs October 23 to 27.
Restrooms, kitchens, water heaters and drains see peak use for several days. Rental homes and short-term stays fill up as well. A broken toilet or a failed water heater in that window is hard to fix quickly and hurts a business or a guest's stay.
What To Check For Each Type Of Property
Different properties fail in different places.
| Property | Check first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Showroom building | Restroom fixtures, floor drains, water heater | Heavy visitor traffic |
| Restaurant or cafe | Grease trap, kitchen drains, hot water | High demand during Market |
| Short-term rental | Toilets, shower drains, water heater, shutoffs | Back-to-back guests |
| Office or sales space | Faucets, supply lines, backflow assemblies | Long supply runs, utility rules |
| Long-term rental | Water heater age, drain flow, shutoff valves | Tenant calls near Market |
What To Do In A Pre-Market Walkthrough
Aim to do this four to six weeks before each Market, so repairs can happen in the quiet weeks.
- 1
Flush every toilet several times and watch for slow fills, running or rocking.
- 2
Run every sink, tub and shower at full flow and watch drains for slow draining.
- 3
Check under every sink and around every toilet for dampness or rust.
- 4
Look at the water heater's base, relief valve and age, and test the temperature.
- 5
Exercise the main shutoff and fixture shutoffs to make sure they turn.
- 6
Locate floor drain cleanouts and test that they are accessible.
- 7
Note the date of the last backflow test report for any assemblies.
Want A Pre-Market Check?
Call and describe the building. Estimates for planned work are free.
Water Heaters And Drains Are The Big Risks
A water heater past 10 years old in a rental or showroom is a risk worth replacing in the quiet season. A planned swap in the weeks after Market avoids a failure during the next one. See water heater installation for how to plan it.
Drains need attention too. Restaurants near the showroom district generate more grease than a residential line is built for, and a downtown main line backing up in Market week can close a floor. Regular commercial plumbing service maintenance and scheduled jetting prevent it.
Backflow And Code Items
Commercial water lines often carry backflow assemblies that need annual testing by a certified tester, with the report filed with the utility. A failed test found in Market week is much harder to fix than one found in a quiet month. See backflow testing and prevention for details.
Fixture counts for occupancy are set by the plumbing code, which in North Carolina is based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC). A showroom that adds seating or staff should check that its restrooms keep up.
A Simple Pre-Market Timeline
- 1
Six weeks out
Walkthrough and list of repairs.
- 2
Four weeks out
Book repairs and replacements.
- 3
Two weeks out
Final test of fixtures and drains.
- 4
Market week
Keep the emergency number handy and the shutoff accessible.
Covering The Wider Area
Rental owners in Greensboro and other nearby towns often house Market visitors too, and the same checklist applies. Listing each unit's shutoff valve and water heater location in one place saves time if a call comes in during Market week.
Between-Guest Habits For Rental Owners
Short-term hosts can build a quick routine between stays: run each sink and shower briefly, flush each toilet, check under cabinets, look at the water heater, and confirm the thermostat works. A few minutes catches most problems before the next guest does.
Give guests a short note on where the main shutoff is and who to call. A battery water alarm under each sink and near the water heater turns a silent leak into a text message. Setting the water heater near 120 degrees Fahrenheit reduces scald risk.
Contacts, Spares And Records
Keep the plumber's number, the 24/7 line and your insurance information in one place that managers and tenants can reach. Know where the shutoffs are for each unit and building, and keep spare parts such as flappers and supply lines on hand.
Record every repair with a date and photo. Records help with insurance, with tenants and with the next owner, and they show a pattern if the same fixture fails repeatedly.
A Maintenance Calendar Around The Two Markets
Plan the year around April and October. About six weeks before each Market, walk through and list repairs. In the quiet weeks after each Market, replace aging water heaters, jet heavy drain lines and service backflow assemblies. In late summer, check heaters again before cold weather.
That rhythm turns emergencies into scheduled work. Keep the schedule on a shared calendar with the plumber's contact, and review it with each new property manager.
Before The Crowds Arrive
The week before Market, do a final test of every restroom, kitchen and water heater, and confirm that every manager knows where the main shutoff is. Have the plumber's number and the 24/7 line in your phone and on a sheet in the office.
After Market, note what failed or came close to failing and schedule fixes in the quiet weeks. The next Market is only about six months away, and the same repairs will matter then.
Know Your Contacts Before Market Starts
Write down the 24/7 emergency line, the name of the property owner, the building engineer if there is one, your insurer and the utility's after-hours number. Post the list where staff and cleaners can see it.
In a big Market week, other businesses will also be calling plumbers. Having a number you already know and have used before saves time when a toilet floods or a drain backs up at the wrong moment.
Market Week Plumbing Questions
It happens twice a year, in April and October. Fall 2026 runs October 17 to 21, Spring 2027 runs April 10 to 14, and Fall 2027 runs October 23 to 27, according to the High Point Market Authority.
Aim for four to six weeks before, so repairs can be done without time pressure.
Water heater failures and slow drains are among the most frequent. Both are worth checking before busy periods.
Most commercial assemblies need annual testing by a certified tester. Confirm the schedule with the utility.
Yes. The line is answered 24/7, including during Market weeks.
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