Boiler Service & Repair in Marin County

If you recently received a “Notice to Install Backflow Prevention Assembly” from Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) — you are not alone. MMWD is actively issuing letters to residential and commercial property owners throughout Marin County requiring the installation of an approved reduced pressure (RP) backflow preventer at the water meter or hazard connection point. If you own property in: San Rafael, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Novato, Greenbrae, Strawberry, Woodacre, Lagunitas, Forest Knolls, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Olema, Nicasio, Marshall, Tomales, Dillon Beach, or anywhere in Marin — this applies to you. Let’s break down exactly what this letter means, why you’re receiving it, and how to stay compliant. Why Is MMWD Requiring Backflow Prevention? Under California Code of Regulations (Titles 17 & 22) and the California Plumbing Code, water districts are required to protect the public drinking water system from contamination. Backflow occurs when water flows in the wrong direction due to: Back-siphonage (pressure drops in the main) Backpressure from equipment on private property Irrigation systems Fire sprinkler systems Boilers and hydronic heating systems Commercial plumbing equipment Cross-connections To prevent contamination, MMWD requires installation of an approved Reduced Pressure (RP or RPZ) backflow prevention assembly. This is not optional once you receive the letter. What The MMWD Letter Typically Requires Based on current enforcement letters being sent across Marin County, property owners must: Install an MMWD-approved reduced pressure backflow preventer Install it at the water meter (or designated hazard location) Ensure proper clearance for testing and maintenance Have it tested immediately after installation Submit results via MMWD’s reporting system Test the device annually thereafter Complete installation before the listed deadline Failure to comply can result in water service issues or enforcement action. Important MMWD Installation Requirements (That Many Contractors Miss) The MMWD standard installation diagram contains strict requirements. A non-compliant installation will fail inspection or testing. Key requirements typically include: Must Be Installed On Customer Property Backflow assemblies must be installed downstream of the water meter on the customer’s side. No Connections Between Meter and Backflow MMWD generally prohibits: Tees Unions Hose bibs Bypass piping Strainers PRVs before the assembly (unless specifically approved) The line must go directly from meter to backflow assembly. ✔ Proper Clearance Assemblies must have: Minimum clearance around the device (commonly 12") Adequate space for certified tester access Installation height typically between 12"–30" above finished grade ✔ Approved Assembly Only The device must be on MMWD’s approved list. ✔ Annual Testing Required Once installed, the assembly becomes part of the District’s compliance program. Why So Many Marin Property Owners Are Getting Letters Over the last few years, water districts across California have increased cross-connection enforcement. In Marin specifically, letters are often triggered by: Irrigation systems tied into domestic water Fire sprinkler systems Hydronic heating systems with fill connections Commercial tenant improvements Property sales and surveys Cross-connection inspections Many older homes in San Rafael, Mill Valley, Kentfield, and Ross were never originally required to install an RP — enforcement is catching up. How Much Does Backflow Installation Cost in Marin County? Costs vary depending on: Size of water service Meter box configuration Need for concrete or asphalt cutting Bollard protection (if in driveway or parking area) Relocating PRV after backflow Accessibility constraints In Marin County, residential installations commonly range from moderate to significant investment depending on conditions, while commercial properties vary widely. The key is installing it correctly the first time. Backflow Installation in Marin County – Town By Town Local Plumbing installs MMWD-compliant RP backflow assemblies throughout: Central Marin San Rafael Corte Madera Larkspur Kentfield Greenbrae Ross San Anselmo Fairfax Southern Marin Mill Valley Sausalito Tiburon Belvedere Strawberry Marin City Northern Marin Novato Nicasio West Marin Point Reyes Station Inverness Olema Stinson Beach Bolinas Woodacre Lagunitas Forest Knolls Marshall Tomales Dillon Beach Each town presents unique site challenges — from hillside properties in Mill Valley to tight meter boxes in Tiburon to coastal corrosion in Stinson Beach. What Happens After Installation? Immediately after installation: A certified tester must test the assembly. Results must be submitted to MMWD. You’ll enter the annual testing cycle. We recommend setting calendar reminders so you don’t receive violation notices. Frequently Asked Questions Do I really need this if my neighbor doesn’t have one? If you received a letter, yes. Enforcement is based on survey findings and hazard classification. Can I install a cheaper double check valve? Not if MMWD requires a Reduced Pressure (RP) assembly. Will this reduce my water pressure? It can slightly affect pressure depending on existing conditions. A proper system evaluation prevents performance issues. Is this required for residential homes? Yes — many single family homes are now receiving letters. Why Choose Local Plumbing For Backflow Installation? Local Plumbing specializes in: Code-compliant installations Clean meter re-piping Proper clearance layouts Coordination with certified testers Pressure regulator integration Marin County permitting familiarity Commercial and residential experience We install systems that are: Clean Serviceable Built to pass inspection Designed for long-term reliability Received an MMWD Backflow Letter? Don’t Wait. Deadlines matter. Testing schedules fill quickly. If you’ve received a notice to install a reduced pressure backflow preventer at your Marin County property, contact Local Plumbing today. We’ll: Review your MMWD letter Confirm exact requirements Provide a clear installation plan Ensure compliance before your due date Local Plumbing Your Local Marin Plumber Backflow Prevention • Boiler Systems • Water Services • Code Compliance Serving All of Marin County

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner — and Marin County has plenty of great places to catch every touchdown, halftime show, and post-game celebration. Below are some of the best local bars, pubs, and restaurants where fans will be gathering to cheer on their teams. We’ve also sprinkled in a bit of local flavor from Local Plumbing to keep your game day stress-free — both on screen and at home. 1. Flatiron – San Rafael - Sports Bar A classic sports bar in downtown San Rafael with big screens, friendly staff, and plenty of beers on tap. Flatiron’s lively atmosphere makes it a go-to for football fans looking to catch every play while enjoying elevated pub fare. Game days here mean great energy and a fun crowd to cheer with. Game day plumbing tip: Before your guests arrive, make sure your kitchen and bathroom drains are clear — so the only clogs you deal with are on the field! 2. Pete's 881 Club – San Rafael - Dive Bar Pete’s 881 is a long-time Marin favorite — serving classic bar food and drinks alongside TVs in every direction. Its laid-back vibe makes it perfect for groups, early kickoffs, and that big halftime snack rush. Local Plumbing tip: Have extra paper towels and disposable plates on hand to keep sink traffic lighter so drains stay flowing all game long. 3. The Burren House Irish Pub & Kitchen – San Rafael - Irish pub **A LOCAL PLUMBING FAVORITE** Bring a little Irish charm to Super Bowl Sunday at this cozy pub right in the heart of downtown San Rafael. Known for hearty comfort food like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips and a welcoming atmosphere, The Burren House is a great place to enjoy good food, a pint, and the game with neighbors and friends. Local Plumbing tip: Whether you’re outside watching or hosting inside, make sure your outdoor faucets and hoses are secured — no leaks during the big plays! 4. Pond Farm Brewing – San Rafael - Brewpubs A welcoming brewpub with house-made beers and outdoor seating, Pond Farm Brewing is perfect if you want a more relaxed, social vibe for game day. Bring a buddy, and let the good times roll with tasty brews and bites. Local Plumbing tip: If you’re tailgating or hanging out in your backyard, check that your outdoor plumbing is ready for extra traffic — Local Plumbing can help if it’s not! 5. State Room – San Rafael - Breweries Casual brewery and gastro-pub with TVs and a fun game-day atmosphere. Grab a craft beer, enjoy seasonal menu options, and catch every quarter with friends. Local Plumbing tip: Keep an eye on your fridge line and sink use when hosting — encourage guests to use coasters and avoid greasy disposals to prevent clogged pipes. 6. Ranch Water – San Rafael - Bars This western-themed neighborhood bar plays all the games, including NFL Sunday Ticket with audio, which makes Ranch Water a lively pick for watching the Super Bowl. With craft cocktails and music, it’s a fun choice if you want cheering and celebration rather than just screens. Local Plumbing tip: If you’re hosting indoors, make sure sinks and toilets are flushing fast — nothing slows down football snacks like backups during half-time. 7. The Junction Beer Garden – Mill Valley A spacious, outdoor beer garden with craft brews and plenty of atmosphere — great for larger groups and casual fans who want the game with a relaxed vibe. Perfect if you’re mixing social time with football watching. 8. Smitty’s Bar – Sausalito This classic local bar brings strong drinks, lots of TVs, and that slightly gritty charm that makes game day feel like a true neighborhood affair. Great for groups looking for a fun crowd. 9. Brown’s Binyerd – Novato With cold drinks and a lively atmosphere, Brown’s Binyerd in Novato is a solid choice for catching Sunday football with friends and family. Expect a welcoming vibe and good bar fare. 10. Finnegan’s Marin Restaurant & Bar – Novato A longtime local favorite with a lively scene and plenty of screens — perfect for big group outings and those who want dinner and the game in one place. Great food, great crowd, and plenty of high-fives. Game Day Tips from Local Plumbing Before you settle in for kickoff: Clear your drains: Avoid clogs before guests arrive — especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Check your toilets and faucets: Extra pressure from house guests can expose weak spots — let us know if something feels off. Have a plumber on standby: Unexpected issues shouldn’t interrupt your party — Local Plumbing serves all of Marin County with fast, friendly service when you need it. Call Local Plumbing at (415) 484-0454 for anything from last-minute maintenance to emergency service — so you can focus on the game, not the pipes.

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If you’ve ever described your home as having “warm floors”, there’s a good chance it was designed with a hydronic radiant heating system—a premium comfort solution commonly installed in high-end homes throughout Marin County, Sonoma County, and Napa Valley over the last two decades. Radiant floor heating delivers exactly what homeowners want: quiet operation, even temperatures, and that unmistakable feeling of warm floors on cold mornings. But as these systems age, many homeowners are now searching for reliable service, repair, or modernization from professionals who truly understand how they were built. Homes Designed Around Warm Floors Radiant heating wasn’t an afterthought in many Northern California luxury homes—it was a core design feature. These systems were especially common in: Custom homes in Mill Valley, Tiburon, Ross, and Kentfield Estate properties and vineyards throughout Napa Valley High-end residences across Sonoma County Builders and mechanical designers prioritized comfort, efficiency, and longevity, installing systems meant to keep floors warm, rooms balanced, and energy use efficient. Boiler Systems Commonly Paired With Warm Floors Many radiant systems designed to deliver truly warm floors were powered by high-efficiency modulating condensing boilers, particularly equipment from HTP. We regularly encounter systems using: Phoenix units supporting radiant heat and domestic hot water Munchkin boilers paired with multi-zone radiant manifolds Contender boilers serving compact or dedicated radiant applications These boilers were well suited for radiant heating—but proper performance depends heavily on correct piping, control strategy, and ongoing maintenance. Are Your Warm Floors Not So Warm Anymore? As radiant systems age, homeowners may notice: Floors taking longer to warm up Uneven temperatures between rooms Boiler fault codes or lockouts Noisy pumps or air in the system Reduced efficiency or rising energy bills The good news? In many cases, the radiant tubing in the floors is still in excellent condition. Problems often stem from controls, sensors, pumps, or boilers that need expert attention—not a full system replacement. Repairing vs. Rebuilding a Radiant Heating System A home designed for warm floors deserves a thoughtful approach—not guesswork. Radiant Heating Service May Include: Boiler diagnostics and combustion analysis Sensor and control replacement Pump, air separator, or expansion tank upgrades System flushing and water quality correction Boiler Replacement Makes Sense When: Parts are no longer supported The heat exchanger has failed Efficiency upgrades justify modernization The system needs to be simplified or future-proofed In most cases, preserving the radiant floor system while upgrading the boiler and controls delivers the best long-term value. Why Experience With Warm Floor Systems Matters Radiant heating systems that produce true warm floors are more complex than forced-air systems. They often include: Primary/secondary piping or hydraulic separation Mixing valves and temperature control strategies Custom zoning layouts Integrated domestic hot water production Working on these systems requires hands-on experience with legacy designs, not just modern equipment manuals. What If the Original Installer Is No Longer Around? Many homeowners search online using phrases like “ warm floors radiant heating service ” or “ who services my radiant floor system? ”—especially when the original installer is no longer operating. That situation is more common than you might think. What matters now is finding a contractor who: Understands how older radiant systems were designed Has experience with legacy boilers and controls Can responsibly guide repairs, retrofits, or replacements Respects the original intent: warm, comfortable floors—done right Keeping Your Warm Floors Working for Decades to Come We specialize in servicing, repairing, and upgrading radiant heating systems in established luxury homes throughout Marin, Sonoma, and Napa. Our focus is on: Diagnosing underperforming radiant systems Supporting older high-efficiency boilers Modernizing mechanical rooms without overhauls Restoring the comfort your home was designed for If your home was built around the idea of warm floors, you deserve a team that understands how to keep them that way. Need Help Restoring Your Warm Floors? If your radiant heating system isn’t delivering the comfort it once did—or you’re unsure who to trust with service or replacement—we’re here to help. Serving Marin County, Sonoma County, and Napa Valley.

Comprehensive Plumbing, Sewer, and Radiant Heating Services for Tiburon and Belvedere Homes Homes in Tiburon and Belvedere require specialized plumbing solutions due to challenging slopes, older underground utilities, and high end hydronic heating systems. Local Plumbing provides full service repairs, maintenance, and installations across Tiburon, including Lyford Cove, Old Tiburon, Belveron, Paradise Cay, and the Belvedere Lagoon. Tiburon Boiler and Radiant Heat Specialists Tiburon homes feature some of the most advanced radiant heating systems in Marin County. Local Plumbing repairs and replaces boilers from Navien, NTI, Triangle Tube, HTP, and Viessmann. We perform manifold balancing, air elimination, pump replacement, radiant zone control repair, and annual system tune ups. Salt air exposure in Tiburon accelerates deterioration of boiler components, venting, and exterior piping. Seasonal maintenance prevents premature failure. Sewer and Drain Services for Tiburon Homes Because Tiburon’s sewer laterals run along steep grades, pipe shifting and root intrusion are common. Local Plumbing performs sewer camera inspections, hydro jetting, sewer lateral replacement, and trenchless pipe bursting for properties in Belvedere Lagoon, Westshore Road, Gilmartin Drive, and Paradise Drive. We ensure sewer lines meet Marin County and Ross Valley Sanitary District requirements. Water Heater and Heat Pump Water Heater Conversions Local Plumbing installs high efficiency water heaters for Tiburon homes, including heat pump water heaters that qualify for rebates through BayREN and TECH Clean CA. These systems are ideal for homes seeking electrification upgrades. We also install and service tankless water heaters from Navien, Rinnai, and Noritz. Leak Detection for High Value Tiburon Properties Tiburon homeowners often install smart leak protection systems to safeguard expensive flooring, finishes, and mechanical equipment. Local Plumbing installs Flo by Moen, FloLogic, Leak Defense, and other whole home shutoff systems.

Why Sausalito Homeowners Trust Local Plumbing for Boilers, Radiant Heat, and Emergency Plumbing Services Sausalito homes present unique plumbing and heating challenges due to steep hillside construction, older sewer infrastructure, and complex radiant heating systems found in many custom homes. Local Plumbing provides full service plumbing, boiler repair, radiant heat diagnostics, sewer inspections, and heat pump water heater installation for homeowners across Sausalito, including Hurricane Gulch, Old Town, and the Marinship area. Boiler and Radiant Heating Experts in Sausalito Many Sausalito homes rely on high efficiency boilers to heat radiant flooring in multi level structures. Local Plumbing services and installs Navien, NTI, HTP, Viessmann, Lochinvar, and Triangle Tube systems. Our technicians handle annual boiler maintenance, combustion analysis, boiler replacement, radiant manifold diagnostics, and zone control repairs. High moisture levels and salty air accelerate corrosion on boiler venting and fittings in Sausalito homes, making regular service essential. Sausalito Sewer and Drain Specialists The steep terrain in Sausalito causes frequent sewer backups, root intrusion, and pipe shifting. Local Plumbing provides sewer camera inspections, hydro jetting, trenchless sewer replacement, and drain clearing for properties throughout Sausalito, including Wolfback Ridge, Spring Street, and Cloud View Trail. Water Heater and Heat Pump Water Heater Installation in Sausalito Homes in Sausalito are increasingly converting from gas water heaters to energy efficient heat pump water heaters. Local Plumbing installs Rheem, AO Smith, and Stiebel Eltron models with proper electrical and condensate management. We also replace tankless units, including Navien and Rinnai. Leak Detection and Smart Water Shutoff Systems Older Sausalito plumbing often includes aging copper lines under slab or in tight crawlspaces. We install Flo by Moen, FloLogic, and Phyn smart leak detection shutoffs to protect high value Sausalito homes from water damage. Local Plumbing is the trusted plumbing contractor for Sausalito homeowners seeking fast, high quality service with deep technical knowledge of local systems.

Ejector pumps play a critical role in homes where bathrooms, laundry rooms, or living spaces sit below the elevation of the main sewer or septic line. These systems allow homeowners to expand their usable space by safely and effectively transporting waste uphill to the sewer connection. Homes in San Rafael, Mill Valley, Larkspur, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Napa commonly use ejector pump systems in basements, converted garages, and lower level additions. What an Ejector Pump Does An ejector pump collects wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers, and laundry fixtures in a sealed basin. Once the basin reaches a certain level, the pump activates and pushes the wastewater up to the home’s main drain line. Unlike sump pumps, ejector pumps are designed to handle solids, which requires specific sizing and installation standards. Common Applications in Local Homes Lower level additions are popular throughout Marin and Sonoma, especially in neighborhoods such as: • Kentfield and Greenbrae where hillside remodeling is common • Novato and Petaluma where homeowners expand living space into basements • Napa and Yountville where older homes retrofit lower bathrooms If any drain sits below the gravity sewer line, an ejector pump is required by code. Important Installation Requirements A properly designed ejector pump system must include: • A sealed basin rated for sewage applications • A two inch discharge pipe with a check valve and ball valve • Venting connected to the home’s plumbing vent system • A pump sized to handle expected fixture load • A dedicated electrical circuit Local Plumbing ensures all components meet California Plumbing Code requirements for Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. The Risks of Improper Installation Improperly installed ejector pumps can lead to sewage backups, foul odors, and premature pump failure. Common issues include undersized basins, missing vent piping, incorrect pump sizing, and improper discharge routing. Homes in Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Santa Rosa often have high fixture loads in lower levels, which means pump selection must be precise. A standard half horsepower pump may not be sufficient for homes with multiple bathroom fixtures. Lifespan and Maintenance Ejector pumps typically last between seven and twelve years depending on usage. Annual maintenance keeps them functioning properly and prevents expensive repairs. Service includes testing the float system, clearing basin debris, inspecting discharge valves, and verifying venting. Local Plumbing offers full service maintenance programs for homes in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa, including emergency repair and same day pump replacement. When to Replace an Ejector Pump Consider replacing your pump if you notice slow drainage, foul odors, gurgling, or the pump running longer than usual. Homes in older neighborhoods such as West Petaluma, Tam Valley, and Downtown Napa often have original pumps that are beyond their service life. Local Plumbing provides professional ejector pump assessments, replacements, and upgrades to modern, high performance systems.

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