415-623-6564
Expert plumbing, radiant heating, and boiler services throughout San Francisco. We know the city's quirks - the pressure fluctuations, the tight spaces, the unique building codes.
Here's what most San Francisco homeowners don't know: the city is constantly digging up streets and laying new pipes. When they do that, your water pressure can change dramatically.
We've done remodels where we checked the pressure, came back three or four years later, and the pressure had almost doubled. The city doesn't send letters telling you "hey, we increased your water pressure in your neighborhood." They should, but they don't. So people don't know until there's a problem.
Desired water pressure: 65 PSI
Maximum safe pressure: 80 PSI (above this, you need a pressure reducing valve)
What we've seen in SF: As high as 130-140 PSI
The terrain matters: San Francisco is hilly. You can go two or three streets over and it's completely different water pressure. The pressure fluctuates way more than flatter areas.
You can't drive five minutes in SF without seeing roadworks. Whether it's sewer pipe, electrical, Wi-Fi, cable, water pipes - it all affects your plumbing. This is why we check pressure on every single service call.
San Francisco homes don't have much space. That's why tankless water heaters are so popular here - you can put them in a storage closet instead of taking up room with a 40-gallon tank. We're experienced working in compact mechanical rooms, tight access situations, Victorian flats with quirky layouts, and multi-unit buildings.
Most plumbers don't check water pressure until there's already a problem. We check it on every service call.
Anything over $500 is supposed to be permitted in San Francisco. We pull the permits, do the work to code, handle the inspections.
Normally when you have thermal expansion in your house, the pressure is absorbed by the street - the street acts as a thermal expansion tank. But if you have a check valve (one-way valve) that doesn't allow water to travel back to the street, you create a lock.
Your home and all the fittings become the expansion tank. If you can't expand, it becomes pressure. That's when you get problems.
Perfect for SF homes with radiant heating systems or high hot water demand.
Popular in Sunset District ADUs, garage conversions, and new construction.
Tankless is popular in SF for space savings. Same-day installation available.
We know the city, the building types, and the unique challenges of each area.
Especially if you just moved in or haven't checked in a few years. The city's infrastructure work can change your pressure without you knowing. High pressure causes expensive problems down the line.
If you're replacing a water heater or boiler, think about whether you want to save space. Tankless water heaters free up room. Combi boilers do heating and hot water in one unit.
Victorian homes, older apartment buildings, and historic properties all have unique plumbing situations. We're experienced with them all.
If you're building an ADU (especially in Sunset), that's the perfect time to install radiant heating. We work with contractors and architects from the design phase.
Over 20 years working in San Francisco. We know the pressure issues, the building codes, the tight spaces, the unique challenges.
Pressure testing on every service call. Most plumbers wait until there's a problem. We catch it before it becomes expensive.
We'll tell you what you need and what you don't. No overselling, just straight answers.
We get that parking is terrible in the city, but we make it work. Same-day estimates, quick turnaround on installations and repairs.
We'll come out, check your pressure, look at your situation, and tell you what makes sense. Free estimates, no hidden fees.
Serving All San Francisco Neighborhoods • Licensed & Insured • 20+ Years Experience