Plumbing Services in San Mateo, CA

Most requested plumbing services in San Mateo

Start with the service that matches your problem. Services marked “Common in San Mateo” are the calls local housing and conditions produce most in San Mateo.

• RepipingCommon in San MateoReplacing old galvanized, polybutylene or failing copper lines.
• Sewer Line RepairCommon in San MateoRecurring backups, sewer odors, slow fixtures or a damaged sewer line.
• Water Heater ReplacementCommon in San MateoReplacing a failing or leaking tank heater.
• Sewer Camera InspectionOlder homesVideo inspection to find the cause of drain and sewer problems.
• Emergency PlumberBurst pipes, major leaks, sewage backups and no-water situations.
• Drain CleaningSlow drains, recurring clogs and backed-up sinks, tubs and showers.
• Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps.
• Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature.
• Burst Pipe RepairStopping and repairing burst or split pipes.
• Pipe RepairLeaks, corrosion, cracked lines and low pressure from damaged pipes.
• Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking or weak-flushing toilets.
• Faucet Repair and ReplacementDripping, leaking or low-flow faucets.

When to call, and what to do first

For the problems San Mateo homeowners call about most, and why they come up here:

• Repiping

  Why it comes up in San Mateo: Pre-war and mid-century homes still carry galvanized pipe.

  Signs:

  Rusty water, falling pressure, repeated pinhole leaks

  Urgent when:

  Leaks keep recurring in different places

  Before help arrives:

  Note where leaks and rust appear; check the pipe at the water heater

  Repair or replace:

  One leak: repair. Failing pipe throughout: repipe

• Sewer Line Repair

  Why it comes up in San Mateo: Old clay laterals crack and take in roots.

  Signs:

  Several drains slow at once, gurgling, sewage smell

  Urgent when:

  Sewage backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain

  Before help arrives:

  Stop running water; don't use chemical drain cleaners

  Repair or replace:

  One break: spot repair or lining. Collapsed line: replace

• Water Heater Replacement

  Why it comes up in San Mateo: Seismic strapping and venting are updated on replacement.

  Signs:

  Water around the tank base, rusty hot water, a tank past 10 years

  Urgent when:

  The tank itself is leaking

  Before help arrives:

  Turn off gas or power and close the cold-water valve

  Repair or replace:

  Leaking tank: replace. Failed part on a younger tank: repair

Why San Mateo homes need these repairs

San Mateo is a Peninsula city of pre-war homes near downtown, mid-century neighborhoods and hillside homes. Cal Water buys all of its water from San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy system, so it's soft, and old galvanized pipes, clay sewer laterals under mature trees and earthquake readiness near the San Andreas Fault drive most of the plumbing calls here.

Local conditions behind San Mateo plumbing problems

Median home built

1963

Built before 1980

68%

Owner-occupied

50%

Water hardness

See below

Winter

Hard freezes are rare

Plumbing code

Local