Common problems
- Slow or clogged drains
- Running toilet
- Low water pressure
Services
- Toilet, faucet and fixture repair
- Pipe repair and repiping
- Sump pump service
If it's urgent: For a burst line, shut the main valve right away. Look near where the water line enters the house or at the meter box.
Book a visit online
Know your San Rafael house
Hillside homes face wildfire risk. The Canal neighborhood is low-lying near San Rafael Creek.
Summers are warmer than in southern Marin, with less fog. Houses updated in stages can have three kinds of pipe under one roof, and the spots where old meets new deserve a close look during any repair. Gerstle Park and Dominican have early 1900s homes on tree-lined streets.
Dry years bring watering limits and a lot of interest in low-flow fixtures, and many yards now run on drip irrigation. The Marin County Civic Center was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
What usually goes wrong
Sound familiar?
- Slow or clogged drains
- Running toilet
- Low water pressure
How the connection works
- Tell us your ZIP code and what's happening.
- An outside plumber covering San Rafael picks it up.
- The pro gets in touch, and you decide on timing and price together.
Permits, licenses and your utility
California licenses plumbing contractors through the Contractors State License Board, which has an online license check. For a sewer backup, ask the plumber whether a camera inspection makes sense before any digging, and keep the video. It helps if the Central Marin Sanitation Agency or an insurer asks questions later.
Marin Water supplies water mostly from reservoirs on Mount Tamalpais, plus some from Sonoma Water. San Rafael is the county seat of Marin County. Wastewater from homes here goes to the Central Marin Sanitation Agency, and permits run through the City of San Rafael Building Division. Mission San Rafael Arcángel was founded in 1817.
Before the visit
Let the plumber know if the building has a shared water line or a landlord who needs to approve work.
Know where your main shutoffs are before anyone arrives.
What people ask us
Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?
If it's only the hot water, the water heater's anode rod is a common cause. If cold water smells too, call the water utility and ask a plumber to check the lines.
Is my neighborhood in San Rafael covered?
Yes, as long as a pro is available. San Rafael ZIP codes 94901, 94903 are in range, and that includes Lucas Valley, Bret Harte, the Canal and Downtown San Rafael. Share the street name when you call so we can check the right part of town.
My toilet keeps running. Is that urgent?
Not usually, but it wastes water and raises the bill. A worn flapper or fill valve is the usual cause, and it's a quick repair.
What makes San Rafael a little different for plumbing?
Many older homes have raised wood foundations. Terra Linda and Lucas Valley have many Eichler homes. SMART trains stop in downtown San Rafael. Share what you know about your home when you book.
Does plumbing in San Rafael need a permit?
Some jobs do and many small repairs don't. In San Rafael, permits are handled by the City of San Rafael Building Division, and the plumber can tell you if your job needs one.
Keep pets in another room while the pro works.
Service area
Serving about a 50-mile radius from San Rafael, depending on which independent pros are available. ZIPs: 94901, 94903
Nearby
- Plumbing in Novato
- Richmond plumbing
- Plumbing near Berkeley
- San Francisco, CA plumbing
- Plumbing in Vallejo
- Oakland plumbing
Other services in San Rafael
All home services in San Rafael · California home services
We're a referral line, not a repair company. An outside plumber quotes the job, does the work and stands behind it. It's fine to say no if the quote doesn't sit right. The pro gives you a price before any work starts, and it's your call whether to go ahead.
Are you a local pro? Get matched with jobs near you. Pros pay nothing to join.
Join as a pro