Licensed & Insured · CA LIC #982663
Open 24/7 · Mon-Sun
Pacifica, San Francisco, Burlingame, CA · Serving the Bay
PACIFICA, CA • LIC #982663 • 24/7
We answer the phone day, night, weekends, and holidays, with same-day service across the Peninsula.
Works Plumbing is a family owned plumber serving South San Francisco, from Westborough and Buri Buri to the older streets around Grand Avenue. Our technicians are licensed and insured under CSLB #982663. We offer same-day service, answer emergencies 24/7, price every job upfront, and handle permits and inspections with the city.
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The City’s 2019 General Plan existing conditions report places the oldest buildings, those from before 1950, in Avalon, Downtown, Winston Serra, Paradise Valley and Terra Bay, and Orange Park. Subdivisions in the western and northern parts of the city came in the 1970s and later. Census estimates put the median year built at 1965, with about 24 percent of homes from the 1950s. About 530 acres of Westborough joined the city in 1962.
We do not guess pipe material from a neighborhood name. Decades of remodels change what sits in the walls, so we identify the supply, drain and gas piping at each house before we quote a repair.
Most of the city is served by Cal Water’s South San Francisco System, which blends local groundwater with SFPUC water. Its 2025 report lists the groundwater at 287 to 461 ppm hardness, very hard on Cal Water’s own scale, and the SFPUC supply at an average of 62 ppm. Homes in the Westborough Water District receive SFPUC water only. Both suppliers disinfect with chloramine, and neither reports known lead service lines.
Under South San Francisco Municipal Code Chapter 14.14, the owner maintains the lateral including the wye, and all the way to the main unless a city-approved sidewalk cleanout exists. For listings since June 21, 2022, a sale requires a CCTV video and a city certificate before title transfer. A permit project that remodels more than 25 percent of the building area needs one too. Our camera inspections in South San Francisco produce the video and report the city reviews.
Westborough is different. Its sewer mains belong to the Westborough Water District, with maintenance by the North San Mateo County Sanitation District, and district properties are exempt from the sale rule. For a backup in either system, drain cleaning in South San Francisco starts at your cleanout.
State seismic hazard maps place liquefaction zones along Colma Creek and its tributaries and on low-lying Bay margin fill. The General Plan report also lists East of 101 and Lindenville as areas at risk from flooding and sea level rise. On low lots, a dependable sump pump and good drainage protect the foundation.
Sewer laterals and drains
Because owners maintain the lateral to the wye, most of our sewer work here starts with a camera. When roots or grease are the problem, hydro jetting clears the full pipe wall, which also matters because a lateral must be free of roots and grease deposits to pass a city inspection. When the pipe itself has failed, trenchless pipe repair replaces it through small pits, and we plan around street trees, since trenching within four feet of one needs the Parks and Recreation director’s written permission.
Water heaters
Hardness at the tap depends on your supplier, and that affects how often a heater needs flushing. Our water heater repair visits cover gas valves, relief valves, venting and leaks under the 2025 California Plumbing Code the city has adopted. For replacements we also install tankless water heaters and heat pump models.
Leaks and water lines
We find hidden leaks with acoustic, thermal and pressure testing through leak detection, then repair only what needs it. A failing service line from the meter is handled through water line repair. Along Colma Creek and on Bay margin fill, buried lines sit in mapped liquefaction zones, so we check fittings and the point where the line enters the house, not only the leak itself. For homes on low ground, our sump pump service keeps storm water away from the foundation.
Gas and fixtures
For a gas smell, a capped branch or a new appliance, gas line repair in South San Francisco includes a pressure test. We also fix toilets, faucets, shower valves and garbage disposals.
Nora N., 5-star Google review
“After seeing a moldy spot on our downstairs ceiling, we realized that a leak that was supposedly repaired by a contractor back in October was leaking again. After waiting 3 weeks for the contractor to come back, we called Works Plumbing, and they came out within 2 days. Wilfredo did a great job explaining why the leak came back (a wrong fitting) and took care of the problem. Great customer service. We used Works a few years ago for another problem. Hopefully we won’t have any more issues, but if we do, Works is who we’ll call.”
Kurt L., 5-star Google review
“I highly recommend Works Plumbing for your next plumbing project. I had a serious under-house lateral drain pipe leak. I bid out to four (4) local plumbing shops. This was a small job of 20 ft of 2″ lateral piping. Three (3) responded, and one (1) was too busy. Two of three bids were extremely high and didn’t warrant this price. Works Plumbing’s price was reasonable, and their workmanship was clean, professional, and on time. I can be a reference if needed. Thank you. I’ll be calling in the future.”
Keep the sidewalk sewer cleanout cap visible and clear of soil or plantings. Where a city-approved sidewalk cleanout exists, the city maintains the line from it to the main, and it gives us a direct access point when a drain backs up.
See how we handle it:
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Whether you live in Westborough or near Orange Park, tell us what changed with your plumbing. We will price the repair upfront and schedule a licensed technician.
Pipes, faucets, fixtures, toilets, garbage disposals we fix what’s broken, fast.
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Hydro jetting, rooter service, camera inspection. Clogs gone, drains flowing.
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Tank and tankless install, repair, and replacement. Hot water within 24 hours.
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Installation, repair, leak detection performed by certified technicians.
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Non-invasive camera inspections find leaks fast without tearing up your home.
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Burst pipes? Flooded basement? We answer the phone day, night, weekends, holidays.
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Whole-home repipe and trenchless sewer repair. Less mess, longer life.
Learn MoreA look at real Works jobs around the Peninsula.
Repeat stoppages cost South San Francisco businesses more in lost service hours than in plumbing invoices. Rocket Rewards targets that issue directly.
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South San Francisco incorporated in September 1908, and the Sign Hill letters calling it “The Industrial City” have been on the hillside since 1923. Much of the city’s wastewater ends up in one place on Colma Creek.
The South San Francisco/San Bruno Water Quality Control Plant at 195 Belle Air Road treats flow from South San Francisco, San Bruno and Colma. The City reports average dry weather flow of about 9 million gallons a day, while wet weather peaks can exceed 60 million gallons a day.
Household water use does not jump when it rains. A storm peak that large points to rain and groundwater getting into sewer pipes through cracks, open joints and loose fittings. Private laterals are part of that pipe network, which is why the city’s point-of-sale rule calls for the lateral to be inspected for infiltration before title transfer.
For a homeowner, infiltration is more than a city statistic. An opening that lets groundwater into a lateral can also let roots in, and roots catch grease and paper until a drain backs up. A line that only acts up in the rainy months is often telling you about its joints.
On a South San Francisco sewer call, we:
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All of them, including Westborough, Buri Buri, Avalon, Winston Serra, Paradise Valley, Sunshine Gardens, Orange Park and the downtown blocks along Grand Avenue. We also take calls East of 101 and in Lindenville. Same-day visits are available across the city, and we answer emergency calls 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Westborough has its own water and sewer district, formed in 1961. It buys all of its water from SFPUC and owns the sewer mains in its area, and properties it serves are exempt from the city’s point-of-sale lateral rule. Most other homes get water from Cal Water and drain to the city system, so the rules that apply depend on the address.
It can. The treatment plant on Colma Creek averages about 9 million gallons a day in dry weather, but wet weather peaks can top 60 million. A cracked or root damaged lateral lets water in during storms, and the same openings let roots in. A line that backs up mainly in the rainy months deserves a camera inspection.
Yes. We handle permits and inspections with the city’s Building Division on Maple Avenue. The city’s residential handout requires a permit to install, alter, repair or replace plumbing and gas systems, and it treats replacing a defective concealed drain or vent as new work. We confirm what your job needs before work starts, and the price you approve includes it.
The overlay covers FEMA flood zones, areas reached by the 100-year flood plus 36 inches of sea level rise, and the 100-foot BCDC shoreline band. Sellers inside it must disclose the hazard. The city’s General Plan report names East of 101 and Lindenville as at risk. Check the city map for your parcel, and we can review drainage and backflow protection at your home.
Yes. Current coupons are posted on our website, and financing is available for larger work such as a lateral replacement before a sale, a water heater replacement or a repipe. We give an upfront written price first, so you can choose how to pay before any work begins.
We’ve earned our reputation one happy homeowner at a time.
“I had a backed up kitchen drain and David from Works Plumbing came out and cleared the line in a matter of minutes. Very professional and very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!”
“Great professional and quick service! Shamir was friendly, efficient, and professional. He fixed the leaking problem in my sink and garbage disposal in under an hour. Highly recommend!”
“Thank you again for another job well done, and thank you for responding right away. I will continue to recommend Works Plumbing because they respond right away and get the job done efficiently.”
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