frequently asked questions to local plumbing

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1. What areas does Local Plumbing serve?

Local Plumbing proudly serves Marin County, Sonoma County, and Napa County, including Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, San Rafael, Novato, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Napa, and surrounding communities. If you need a local plumber near you, we’re the team to call.

2. Do you offer emergency plumbing services?

Yes. Local Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency plumbing service for burst pipes, water leaks, sewer backups, water heater failures, and urgent boiler issues. Fast response times across Marin and Sonoma.

3. Why is my water pressure so high in Marin County?

Marin County is known for extremely high municipal water pressure, often exceeding 100–150 PSI in some neighborhoods. High pressure can damage fixtures, water heaters, and boilers. Local Plumbing installs pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) and expansion tanks to protect your home.

4. How often should I service my tankless water heater?

Manufacturers such as Navien, Rinnai, and Noritz recommend annual servicing and descaling to prevent mineral buildup, extend system lifespan, and maintain efficiency. Local Plumbing offers full tankless water heater maintenance for homes on Marin Water, MMWD, and City of Petaluma water systems.

5. Do you install and service heat pump water heaters?

Yes. We are certified installers of Rheem, A.O. Smith, Navien, and State heat pump water heaters. Perfect for energy-efficient upgrades, rebates, and electrification projects in Marin and Sonoma. We also handle electrical coordination with Rocky Hill Electric for seamless installs.

6. Why does my boiler need annual maintenance?

Boilers such as NTI TRX, IBC, Navien, Lochinvar, TriangleTube, Munchkin, HTP, and NTI require yearly cleaning, combustion analysis, condensate neutralizer replacement, and safety inspections. Annual service prevents breakdowns, improves efficiency, and ensures safe operation.

7. Do you repair and replace sewer lines?

Yes. Local Plumbing handles sewer inspections, hydro-jetting, trenchless sewer replacements, sewer camera diagnostics, and emergency backups—especially common in older Marin and Petaluma homes.

8. What is a leak detection valve, and do I need one?

Leak detection valves such as FloLogic, Flo by Moen, and Leak Defense monitor your home’s water usage and automatically shut off the system if they detect an abnormal flow. Many insurance companies in California now require them for policy renewals. Local Plumbing installs all major systems.

9. Do you work on Eichler homes in Marin County?

Yes. Eichler radiant heating systems often have underslab copper tubing that corrodes over time. We specialize in radiant leak detection, manifold upgrades, boiler replacements, and converting failing underslab systems to above-ground PEX tubing.

10. How much does it cost to replace a water heater?

Prices vary depending on the type (please note these are rough guides and pricing can vary depending on a lot of factors):

  • 40–50 gallon gas water heater: typically $3,200–$4,900
  • Tankless water heater (Navien/Rinnai): $5,500–$9,800+
  • Heat pump water heater: $8,200–$13,000+, with rebates available
    Local Plumbing provides transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.

11. What should I do if my sewer ejector pump fails?

If you hear alarms, notice sewage smells, or see waste backing up, call us immediately. Local Plumbing repairs and replaces Zoeller, Liberty, and Grundfos ejector pumps, including full pit rebuilds and control panel upgrades.

12. Why does my home need a backflow prevention device?

Marin Water and many local utilities require backflow assemblies for fire sprinklers, irrigation, and domestic water services. These devices prevent contaminated water from flowing into the public supply. Local Plumbing installs, tests, and repairs Wilkins, Watts, Ames, and other assemblies.

13. Do you offer annual plumbing maintenance plans?

Yes. Local Plumbing offers membership plans that include:

  • Annual water heater service
  • Boiler tune-ups
  • Whole-home plumbing inspections
  • Priority scheduling
  • Discounts on repairs
    Great for older homes in Marin and Sonoma.


14. Why does my drain clog so often?

Common local causes include:

  • Older cast iron or orangeburg pipes
  • Tree root intrusion
  • Grease buildup
  • Marin’s hard water causing scale
    Local Plumbing performs camera inspections and jetting to fix the issue at the root.

15. Is it safe to flush wipes labeled “flushable”?

No. Even “flushable” wipes cause sewer backups, especially in older Marin County sewer laterals. They do not break down and frequently get caught on roots or pipe imperfections.

16. What is Brown Friday?

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest plumbing day of the year, caused by food scraps, grease, and heavy sink usage. Local Plumbing handles a massive spike in drain calls, clogs, sewer backups, and disposal failures.

17. Why does Marin have so many pinhole leaks?

A combination of aggressive water chemistry, aging copper piping, and pressure fluctuations causes pinhole leaks. Local Plumbing offers whole-home repipes, leak detection, PRV replacements, and filtration upgrades.

18. Should I install a water filtration system?

Yes. Systems like Halo, Aquasana, and Pentair improve water taste, reduce scale, and protect plumbing equipment. Local Plumbing installs whole-home filters and water softeners.

19. What are the signs of a hidden water leak?

  • Higher water bills
  • Sounds of water running
  • Warm spots on floors
  • Mold or musty odors
  • Visible wall or ceiling staining
    Local Plumbing uses         thermal imaging, acoustic detection, and leak monitoring valves to pinpoint issues fast.

20. Why is my radiant floor not heating evenly?

Possible causes include air in the system, circulator pump failures, clogged manifolds, failing mixing valves, or boiler issues. Local Plumbing services all radiant systems, especially common in Marin’s Eichlers, San Rafael hills, and Mill Valley hillside homes.

21. Do you install new radiant heating systems?

Yes. We design and install modern PEX radiant systems, hydronic boilers, mixing valves, manifolds, and controls for remodels and new construction across Marin, Sonoma, and Napa.

22. Do you work with property managers and realtors?

Yes. Local Plumbing provides priority service for rental properties, inspections, disclosures, sewer lateral testing, and emergency calls.

23. Can you provide plumbing inspections for home buyers?

Absolutely. We offer full plumbing evaluations including water heater lifespan checks, sewer camera inspections, fixture testing, pressure checks, and boiler assessments.

24. How do I schedule a service with Local Plumbing?

You can schedule through our online booking system, call the office, or request after-hours service for emergencies. We offer same-day and next-day appointments across Marin and Sonoma.

25. Do you provide upfront pricing?

Yes. Local Plumbing gives flat-rate, transparent pricing before any work begins, so there are no surprises.

26. Are estimates free?

Short answer: YES but it depends. Most jobs can be estimated at no charge. More complex jobs that require diagnostics or multi-system inspections require a paid evaluation to ensure accuracy.