Alvarez Plumbing

Professional Plumbing Services in San Bruno, CA – When Your Pipes Won't Wait

Water creeping across your basement floor? That toilet running all night again? Maybe you walked downstairs this morning and stepped into a puddle near the water heater. Here in San Bruno, these problems hit hard and fast—especially in our older Portola Highlands homes and Crestmoor neighborhoods where pipes have seen decades of Bay Area weather.

San Bruno's Local Plumbing Experts 22 Years of Trusted Service

Cesar Alvarez started fixing pipes in San Bruno back when flip phones were still cool. Twenty-two years later, he’s still here still answering his phone, still showing up to jobs personally, still treating every house like it belongs to family. Most of our business comes from referrals because once you work with us, you don’t need to find another plumber.

This town has quirks. The fog eats through copper faster than you’d think. Half the houses near Skyline Boulevard have original 1960s plumbing that wasn’t designed for modern water pressure. Basements near Colma Creek flood predictably every January. We’ve dealt with all of it, in practically every neighborhood. That kind of experience means we figure out your problem faster and waste less of your time fixing it.

Plumbing issues shouldn’t add stress to your day. Our licensed experts deliver quick service, honest pricing, and repairs built to last.

Complete Plumbing Services Across San Bruno

Full Plumbing Installation Services in San Bruno

Remodeling your kitchen? Adding a bathroom? Finally replacing that ancient water heater that barely limps through winter? When you need plumbing installation San Bruno, CA contractors you can rely on, the work needs to be done right — because you're going to live with it for the next 20 or 30 years.

We pull permits when required, follow San Mateo County codes exactly, and install systems that actually work with San Bruno's water pressure and water quality. No shortcuts that'll come back to bite you later. Our plumbing installation service San Bruno customers receive is comprehensive, reliable, and fully code-compliant.

Installation Work We Specialize In:

New water heaters — tank style or tankless
Complete kitchen and bathroom fixture setups
Whole-house repiping when old pipes give up
Water softeners and filtration systems
New construction and addition plumbing
Gas line installations for stoves and dryers
Plumbing installation or replacement of all fixtures

We coordinate with your contractors to make sure everything is installed cleanly, on schedule, and within inspection requirements. Whether it’s a modern kitchen remodel or an addition to your home, our licensed plumbers make sure your new plumbing is built to last for decades.

Plumbing Repairs Throughout San Bruno

That drip under the sink seems minor until you realize it's been running for six months. The toilet that jiggles seems harmless until your water bill doubles. Small problems become expensive when you ignore them, but they're usually cheap and quick to fix if you catch them early.

A lot of San Bruno homes still have galvanized pipes from the 50s and 60s. They corrode from the inside out, so by the time you see a problem, there's often more damage hiding in the walls. We've opened enough walls to know where to look. For professional plumbing repair San Bruno, CA homeowners trust, we've got you covered.

Repairs We Do Every Week:

Faucets dripping constantly
Toilets running and wasting hundreds of gallons
Slow drains that won't clear with store-bought chemicals
Pipes leaking inside walls or under slabs
Water heaters losing efficiency or making noise
Disposals jammed or not working at all
Sump pump repair and maintenance

We keep our trucks stocked with common parts so most repairs happen the same day. From replacing worn washers to diagnosing pressure issues, our licensed plumbers make sure your plumbing works the way it should — efficiently, quietly, and reliably.

Basement Sump Pump System San Bruno

If your house sits anywhere near Colma Creek or in the lower-lying areas toward Tanforan, you've probably dealt with water in your basement or crawl space. Some San Bruno properties were built on filled marshland, which means groundwater rises every time it rains hard.

A properly designed basement sump pump system San Bruno properties need pulls that water out before it damages anything. We size the system based on how much water your property actually deals with, not on what's cheapest to install. Battery backup keeps you protected when storms knock out power. Our sump pump drainage San Bruno installation includes a full assessment and proper discharge planning to ensure long-term protection.

Problems Sump Pumps Solve:

Basement flooding every winter
Wet crawl spaces growing mold
Foundation cracks from water pressure building up
Existing sump pump that quit working
No power backup when electricity fails
Poor yard drainage washing water toward your foundation

We inspect your property’s grading, drainage routes, and discharge points to install a reliable, code-compliant sump pump system that keeps your basement dry year-round. Whether it’s a retrofit for an older home or a new installation, we make sure your system is built to handle San Bruno’s toughest storms.

Sump Pump Repair San Bruno

Your sump pump usually sits quiet until a storm hits — then it’s your basement’s first line of defense. When it fails, you don’t have time to wait days for service. We provide fast, reliable sump pump repair San Bruno homeowners count on to keep basements dry and prevent costly water damage.

Most pump failures come from wear, clogging, or power issues. We inspect every part of your system — the motor, float switch, check valve, and discharge line — to find the real cause, not just the symptom. From cleaning out sediment buildup to replacing burned-out motors, we repair all brands and models of sump pumps.

Common Sump Pump Problems We Fix:

Pump runs constantly but never clears the water
Motor makes grinding or humming noises
Float switch stuck or corroded
Discharge line clogged, frozen, or leaking
Backup battery not charging or dead
Pump cycles on and off repeatedly for no reason

We also offer preventive maintenance to catch issues before the next big rain. Our technicians test your pump, clear debris, and verify that your backup system works properly. For emergency sump pump repair in San Bruno, we’re available when you need us most — before minor leaks turn into basement floods.

Snake Eyeball Service San Bruno

Sometimes you can’t fix what you can’t see. That’s where our Snake Eyeball Service San Bruno comes in. We use high-definition sewer and drain cameras to look inside your pipes and find exactly what’s causing the problem — without tearing open your floors or walls. It’s fast, accurate, and saves you from unnecessary repairs.

Our waterproof inspection cameras (a.k.a. “eyeball snakes”) let us pinpoint everything from small cracks to major blockages deep in your plumbing system. Whether your drains keep backing up, toilets gurgle, or your sewer line smells off, we can show you a live video feed of what’s really happening underground.

What We Find and Fix with Camera Inspection:

Tree roots invading sewer lines
Collapsed or cracked pipes from shifting soil
Grease or sludge buildup clogging kitchen drains
Foreign objects stuck in the line
Corroded or rusted cast iron pipes ready to fail
Incorrect pipe slope causing standing water

Once we see the problem, we give you clear repair options — no guessing, no upselling. Combined with professional drain snaking and hydrojetting, our plumbing camera inspection San Bruno service keeps your system running smoothly and helps you avoid future blockages or costly damage.

Reliable Local Plumbing Company in San Bruno, CA

The big franchise companies send whoever’s available. You get a different person each time, someone who’s never seen your house before and doesn’t know the neighborhood. They follow a script, push expensive add-ons, and disappear forever once they cash your check.

We’re the opposite. As your trusted plumbing company San Bruno, CA homeowners recommend, we offer the same team, same phone number, and same commitment to doing honest work at fair prices.

Over 22 Years of Industry Experience

Every street has a personality. Certain neighborhoods have clay soil that shifts and cracks slab foundations. Others have mature trees with roots that invade sewer lines every few years. Some areas flood predictably. We've worked in all of them for over two decades, so we know what to expect before we even open the truck.

100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

Emergency call? We're there within an hour, usually faster. Scheduled appointment? We arrive when we said we would. The truck carries parts for almost every common repair, so we're not constantly driving back and forth while you sit waiting. We finish the job, test everything twice, and clean up before we leave.

High-Quality Parts & Modern Equipment

Nobody likes surprise bills. Whether you're asking about the cost of sump pump installation San Bruno homeowners typically pay or wondering about a simple repair, we diagnose the problem, explain what's wrong in normal language, tell you exactly what it'll cost to fix, and let you decide. If there are multiple ways to solve something, we'll explain the options with real prices. The final bill matches the quote. Always.

Fast, Reliable, and Affordable Service

After 22 years, half our jobs come from previous customers calling us back or sending their friends our way. We're licensed, insured, and we've probably already worked on a house on your street. Ask around—someone you know has used us. That's the kind of reputation you build by showing up and doing good work consistently.

Client Review

“Saved our basement from flooding!” After a heavy winter storm, water was creeping into our Colma Creek-area basement. Cesar and his team installed a sump pump system with battery backup the same day. They explained everything clearly and left the basement dry. Finally, peace of mind!

“No surprise bills, just honest work.” We had been putting off replacing our old water heater in Portola Highlands. Alvarez Plumbing came out, gave a clear quote, and installed a new tankless water heater without any upsells or surprises. The tech even showed us how to test it properly. Highly recommend!

“Fast, professional, and reliable.” Our restaurant’s main drain backed up right before dinner service. Cesar’s team arrived within an hour, cleared the clog, and even ran a camera inspection to prevent future problems. They know San Bruno plumbing inside and out.

Get Help From San Bruno's Trusted Plumbing Team

Whether you’re up in Crestmoor dealing with a leaky pipe or down near Mills Park needing a sump pump installed before next winter, we’ve got you covered. Small repair or big installation, we handle it the same way honestly, professionally, and at a fair price.

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Our Featured Frequently Asked Question

Can you come out for plumbing emergencies in the middle of the night?

Yes, we handle emergency calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Burst pipes, sewer backups, failed water heaters—whatever can’t wait until morning, we’ll come take care of it. Most San Bruno addresses get service within an hour, sometimes faster depending on where you’re located and what we’re dealing with.

What should I expect to pay for sump pump installation?

The cost of sump pump installation San Bruno homeowners can expect typically runs anywhere from about $800 up to $2,500, depending on what your property needs. A basic system costs less. If you need battery backup, more powerful pumps, or complex sump pump drainage San Bruno installation, it costs more. We’ll come look at your specific situation and give you an exact price before doing anything.

My basement gets wet every winter—is a sump pump the answer?

Probably, but we need to see where the water’s coming from first. A lot of San Bruno properties sit close to the water table or deal with poor lot grading. Sump pumps work great for groundwater intrusion. If water’s coming in through cracks or bad drainage outside, we might need to address that too. We’ll figure it out and tell you the most effective solution.

Do you work on commercial buildings and restaurants?

Yes, commercial plumbing is a big part of what we do. Restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, apartment complexes—we’ve worked on all types around San Bruno. We’re familiar with health department requirements, ADA codes, and all the regulations commercial properties have to meet. Most commercial jobs get scheduled outside business hours so we don’t interfere with operations.

Why do my drains keep clogging up?

Could be several things. Older homes around here often have cast iron drain pipes that corrode and catch debris. Tree roots grow into sewer lines looking for water, especially if you’ve got big trees in the yard. Sometimes it’s just years of buildup from grease, soap, and hair. We can run a camera down there and show you exactly what’s causing the problem.

Will you pull permits if the work requires it?

Yes, we handle all the permit paperwork and coordinate inspections with the city. Some jobs legally require permits—water heater replacements, gas line work, major remodels. We make sure everything’s done to code so you don’t run into problems later when you sell the house or if an inspector ever comes around.

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About Company

For more than 22 years, Alvarez Plumbing has proudly served San Bruno, CA providing reliable plumbing solutions for both residential and commercial clients.