24/7, daily $$ Phone / website; immediate
Specialty: Emergency plumbing, drains, water heaters, HVAC
Large San Diego plumbing and HVAC company with 24/7 service. Consistent, well-reviewed, and widely available.
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San Diego Plumber Guide
Old pipes, hard water, earthquake risk, and coastal humidity make plumbing issues a constant reality for San Diego homeowners. Whether you have a burst pipe, a clogged drain, a failing water heater, or a slab leak, these plumbers cover emergency repairs and planned installations across the county.
Last updated
Quick answer: For emergency 24/7 plumbing: Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air or Bill Howe. For drain cleaning: Zoom Drain or Roto-Rooter. For tankless water heaters: Bill Howe or Point Loma Plumbing. For leak detection: American Plumbing or Colepepper Services. Service call $75–$150; drain cleaning $150–$350; water heater replacement $1,200–$3,500.
Specialty: Emergency plumbing, drains, water heaters, HVAC
Large San Diego plumbing and HVAC company with 24/7 service. Consistent, well-reviewed, and widely available.
Specialty: Emergency, tankless water heaters, sewer, drains
Long-running San Diego company. Strong on water heaters, tankless installs, and sewer line work.
Specialty: Drain cleaning, emergency plumbing, sewer
National franchise known for drain cleaning and emergency service. Good for stubborn clogs and sewer backups.
Specialty: Drain cleaning, sewer inspection, hydro jetting
Drain and sewer specialist. Best for recurring drain issues, hydro jetting, and camera inspections.
Specialty: Water heaters, repiping, remodels, leak detection
Point Loma-based plumbing company with strong reputation for water heater work and remodel plumbing.
Specialty: Leak detection, slab leaks, water heaters, repiping
Specializes in leak detection, slab leak repair, and tricky water damage situations. Good for hidden leaks.
Specialty: Residential plumbing, repairs, water heaters, gas lines
Family-owned San Diego plumber with strong residential repair work. Known for honest pricing and clear communication.
Specialty: Drain cleaning, sewer repair, water heaters, residential
North County plumbing company with drain and sewer expertise. Good for coastal North County homeowners.
Specialty: Emergency, drains, sewer, water heaters
24/7 franchise with transparent pricing and fast response. Good for emergency calls and drain issues.
Specialty: Drain cleaning, emergency repairs, water heaters
Local company with strong drain cleaning and emergency repair reputation.
Specialty: Trenchless sewer repair, pipelining, sewer replacement
Specializes in trenchless sewer repair and pipelining. Best for major sewer line work without digging up the yard.
Specialty: South Bay plumbing, water heaters, drains, gas lines
South Bay family-owned plumber with bilingual service and strong local reputation.
Specialty: North County plumbing, remodels, tankless water heaters
North County plumber with strong remodel and tankless water heater experience.
Specialty: Residential repairs, water heaters, drains, gas lines
San Diego plumbing company with strong residential focus and upfront pricing.
Specialty: Water heater repair/replacement, tankless, plumbing repairs
Water heater specialist. If your tank is leaking or failing, this is a focused option.
| Service | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $50–$90 | $90–$150 | $150–$250 |
| Drain cleaning (single clog) | $100–$175 | $175–$300 | $300–$500 |
| Hydro jetting | $300–$500 | $500–$800 | $800–$1,500 |
| Water heater repair | $150–$300 | $300–$600 | $600–$1,000 |
| Water heater replacement (tank) | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,500 | $2,500–$3,500 |
| Tankless water heater install | $2,500–$3,500 | $3,500–$5,500 | $5,500–$8,000 |
| Slab leak detection / repair | $500–$1,000 | $1,000–$2,500 | $2,500–$5,000+ |
| Sewer line replacement | $3,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $8,000–$15,000+ |
Add 20% cash tip on top of posted prices. Most shops add 3–4% surcharge on cards.
24/7 county-wide
Anderson Plumbing, Bill Howe, Roto-Rooter, Rooter Hero.
North County / Oceanside + Carlsbad
Pacific Drain & Plumbing, Above & Beyond Plumbing.
South Bay / Chula Vista
Bryco Plumbing.
Point Loma / Central
Point Loma Plumbing, American Plumbing Co.
Leak detection / slab leaks
Colepepper Services, American Plumbing Co.
Drain / sewer specialists
Zoom Drain, Roto-Rooter, San Diego Plumbing & Pipelining.
Get a second opinion for big jobs. Water heater replacement and sewer line work can vary by thousands of dollars between quotes.
Ask if the plumber is licensed and insured. California plumbers must be licensed by the CSLB (Contractors State License Board).
Emergency rates are 50–100% higher. If it's not a true emergency, schedule during normal hours to save money.
Tankless water heaters save energy but cost more upfront. Bill Howe and Quick Water Heaters are strong for tankless installs.
Hydro jetting is more effective than snaking for grease and tree roots. Zoom Drain and Roto-Rooter are good for this.
Know where your main water shutoff is. In a burst-pipe emergency, shutting off the water quickly prevents major damage.
Water heater tanks last 8–12 years. If yours is over 10 years old, start budgeting for replacement before it fails.
Service calls are $90–$150. Drain cleaning is $175–$300. Water heater repair is $300–$600. Water heater replacement is $1,500–$2,500. Slab leak repair can be $1,000–$5,000+. Emergency calls add 50–100% to standard rates.
Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, Bill Howe, and Rooter Hero are all 24/7 with county-wide coverage. Roto-Rooter is best for drain emergencies. Point Loma Plumbing and Colepepper are strong for non-emergency specialized work.
Colepepper Services and American Plumbing Co specialize in leak detection and slab leak repair. Slab leaks are common in older San Diego homes with copper pipes.
A standard tank water heater replacement is $1,500–$2,500 including installation. Tankless water heater installation is $3,500–$5,500. High-capacity or complex venting jobs can reach $8,000.
A single drain cleaning is $175–$300. Hydro jetting is $500–$800. Severe sewer line blockages or camera inspections can add $200–$500.
Yes — plumbers must hold a C-36 Plumbing Contractor license from the CSLB. Always verify the license number before agreeing to major work.
If the tank is less than 8 years old and the issue is minor (pilot light, thermostat, heating element), repair it. If it's over 10 years old, leaking, or needs frequent repairs, replace it.
Zoom Drain and Roto-Rooter specialize in drain cleaning and sewer work. Zoom Drain is drain-focused, while Roto-Rooter handles emergency plumbing too.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .