Plumbing problems rarely announce which category they belong to. A wet spot on the ceiling might be a supply leak, a drain issue or a failing water heater. The groups below are organized the way a dispatcher thinks: how urgent is it, and where is the water going?
If water is flowing and you cannot stop it, close the main shut-off first, then call. Everything else on this page can wait a few minutes while you read.
Emergency repairs when water will not stop
These are the services where hours matter. Active leaks, split pipes and failing lines damage floors, drywall and belongings quickly, and the 24/7 line exists for them.
Burst pipe repair
Cracked or split pipes, repaired fast so the water can be turned back on.
Leak detection
Locating hidden leaks in walls, ceilings and crawlspaces without guesswork.
Slab leak repair
Pressurized lines under a concrete floor, found and fixed.
Water service line repair
The buried line from the meter to your house, repaired or replaced.
Commercial plumbing
Emergency leaks, grease traps and backflow testing for businesses.
Hot water, from a cold shower to a planned upgrade
A water heater usually fails on its own schedule, which is rarely convenient. We repair what can be repaired, replace what cannot, and install new units for homeowners who plan ahead.
Water heater repair
No hot water, leaks and lighting problems diagnosed on site.
Water heater replacement
A failed tank removed and a new unit set in its place.
Water heater installation
Planned installs, including gas, electric and heat pump options.
Tankless water heater
On-demand units installed, repaired and descaled.
Drains, mainlines and sewers
Most drain calls start small and become urgent when a second fixture starts gurgling. In Millbrae the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral on the property, so the line from your house to the main is worth understanding.
Drain cleaning
Sinks, tubs, showers and branch lines cleared.
Hydro jetting
High-pressure water that scours the inside of the pipe.
Sewer line cleaning
Main lines cleared when the whole house backs up.
Sewer camera inspection
A camera shows the cause and the condition of the line.
Sewer line repair
Spot repair, trenchless lining and replacement.
Fixtures, pipes and installs
Not everything is a crisis. Dripping faucets, running toilets and tired supply lines are the jobs where a calm conversation about options pays off.
Toilet repair and installation
Leaks, clogs, running tanks and new toilet setups.
Faucet repair
Faucets, shower valves, supply stops and outdoor spigots.
Garbage disposal
Repair or replacement of jammed and leaking disposals.
Repiping
Replacement of worn supply piping, in part or throughout.
Plumbing installation
Fixtures, remodel plumbing and new lines.
Water quality and high bills
Millbrae water comes from the San Francisco Regional Water System and is treated with chloramine. The city's 2025 water quality report lists average hardness at 62 ppm, which is soft by common scales. That shapes what a softener or filter can and cannot do for you, and we will say so plainly.
Water softener and filtration
Treatment systems matched to the problem you are trying to solve.
High water bill and meter leaks
Finding the leak behind a bill that does not make sense.
Prices, permits and how a visit works
We do not post price lists, because two jobs with the same name can differ a lot once someone sees the pipe. What we do is set a clear price on the phone or at your door before work starts.
Permits may apply to some of this work, and the Millbrae Building Division handles plumbing permits. If you want to check any plumber's credentials, the state contractor licensing board lets you search by name or license number. For nearby coverage, see the service area page or the dedicated Burlingame plumber page.
Sources and standards: The California Plumbing Code (based on the Uniform Plumbing Code). Millbrae Municipal Code chapters 8.10 and 8.20. The City of Millbrae 2025 Water Quality Report.