Most of the city is served by a combined sewer system, and the city’s Hetch Hetchy water supply is soft, so scale is rarely an issue. Steep hills, tight lots and seismic requirements — including earthquake strapping for water heaters — shape how plumbing work gets done.
Housing & construction
Victorian and Edwardian row houses and flats, mid-century Sunset and Richmond district homes on garages, and many multi-unit buildings.
Plumbing services in San Francisco
Sewer Line Repair in San Francisco
Repairs in the street
San Francisco sewer line repair →
Pipe Repair in San Francisco
Tight chases in flats
San Francisco pipe repair →
Water Heater Replacement & Installation in San Francisco
Seismic strapping
San Francisco water heater replacement & installation →Also common in San Francisco: drain cleaning.
Common plumbing problems in San Francisco
What makes San Francisco plumbing different
Owner-responsible laterals
The property owner generally owns the lateral to the public main, including under the street.
Soft Hetch Hetchy water
Low mineral content means little scale; corrosion control is handled by the utility.
Victorian and Edwardian plumbing
Original cast iron and galvanized pipe, tight chases and many renovations.
Seismic requirements
Water heaters must be strapped; older buildings may have other seismic considerations.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for San Francisco
- Rainy seasonCombined sewers and old laterals see more stress in winter storms.
- Year-roundEarthquake readiness: know shutoffs and keep water heaters strapped.
Plumbing emergency in San Francisco?
- Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
- Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
San Francisco plumbing questions
Who owns the sewer lateral in San Francisco?
Property owners are generally responsible for the lateral from the building to the public sewer main, including under the street.
Is San Francisco water hard?
No. Hetch Hetchy water is soft, so mineral scale is uncommon.
Do San Francisco water heaters need earthquake straps?
Yes. California code requires water heaters to be strapped against seismic movement.
Does San Francisco have combined sewers?
Yes, most of the city is served by a combined system that carries stormwater and wastewater together.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around San Francisco, including Daly City, Oakland, South San Francisco, Berkeley, San Mateo, Sausalito.
