Sewage is seeping into John Reed showers, members say

Members of John Reed Fitness are reporting that raw sewage has on more than one occasion seeped up through the shower floors at the luxury gym in West Hollywood.

“They seem to have a lot of plumbing problems there but yesterday was a whole new level,” a reader who has been granted anonymity wrote to WEHOonline, referring to an incident that happened Saturday, June 8. 

“They had raw sewage coming out of the shower drains – actual pieces of shit.  It stank up the whole locker room and was so gross.  So much was coming out that it was getting into the hallway area between the actual shower stalls where some people were walking barefoot.”

The report was confirmed by other members of the gym. 

“That sewage backup happens (sic) twice in the last six month,” one member said. “They had to close the downstairs for four days to clean in January.”

“It happens sometimes lol (also in the sauna a few times) but they clean and fix it. Drainage is old so gonna happen sometimes,” another member commented on social media.

John Reed Fitness opened in fall of last year. WEHOonline has reached out to management and to city code inspectors for comment but has yet to receive a reply.

“They seem to be well aware of the issues but have no idea how to fix it permanently,” wrote the original commenter.  “It’s unbelievable that the city allows them to operate like this.  It’s a brand new facility so I don’t even understand how this could happen.”

If you are a member of John Reed Fitness who has witnessed the sewage or taken photos, please share your experience in the comments below.

The science of sewer leaks

Issues with the main sewer line that can cause feces to seep into showers typically involve blockages, breaks, or other malfunctions in the sewer system. These problems disrupt the normal flow of wastewater and can result in sewage backing up into household drains, including showers.

One of the most common causes is a blockage in the sewer line. These blockages can be caused by a buildup of debris, grease or foreign objects that restrict the flow of wastewater. When the blockage is severe, wastewater, including fecal matter, has nowhere to go and can back up into residential or commercial plumbing fixtures.

Tree roots might also be the problem. They are naturally attracted to the moisture in sewer lines and can infiltrate small cracks or joints in the pipes. Over time, these roots can grow and cause significant blockages or even break the pipes. This intrusion can disrupt the normal flow of sewage and cause backups into showers.

Older sewer lines, particularly those made of clay or cast iron, can deteriorate over time. Ground shifting, construction activities or simply the aging process can cause these pipes to break or collapse. A broken or collapsed sewer line can obstruct the flow of sewage, leading to backups.

Sometimes, sections of the sewer line can sag or “belly,” creating low spots where waste can accumulate. These low spots can eventually cause blockages, preventing sewage from flowing freely to the municipal sewer system. When this happens, wastewater can back up into household drains. Proper installation of sewer lines requires a specific slope to ensure gravity helps wastewater flow toward the municipal sewer system. If the slope is inadequate or incorrect, it can cause slow drainage and potential backups.