Plumbing Services Archives - Marin Plumbing - Best Plumber serving Marin and Sonoma Counties

Toilet Installer | New Toilet Installation | Toilet Replacement

September 21, 2021 by BrianCooke

Need a toilet installer? A replacement toilet installed? Or, are you adding a new bathroom to your home? These days some toilets have become luxurious and sophisticated “Smart Home” appliances.

Today, we may question the wisdom of purchasing a $15,800 toilet. And I have yet to install a Kohler Numi 2.0. That’s the toilet that responds to voice commands via Alexa and even eliminates the need for toilet paper.

However, just a few years ago, we were saying the same about the smart-refrigerator which has become a fairly common job for plumbers in Marin County.

Toilet-replacement-cost — **$15,800 Toilet**

Yes, I am the toilet installer you’re looking for

Years ago, a toilet installation was simple – it was just installing a toilet. These days, a toilet installer needs to understand a variety of materials for mounting and connection. Plus there may be both cold AND hot water connections power, and even data? Here is where years of experience enables me to give superior results.

When it comes to toilets, I have worked on or installed just about every toilet out there.

Why you want ME to be your go-to toilet installer

I have been a plumber installing toilets in Marin for over three decades. While many construction contractors, handymen, and even homeowners can connect a toilet to a water line and drainpipe, often it’s more complicated than that. Many homes in Marin and Sonoma county have older pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Making sure the new fixtures work perfectly with the older pipes without metal corrosion, pressure or drainage is well beyond simply connecting the fixture. An experienced plumber can save you from a disaster. And if you are installing some fancy-ass toilet, my experience installing other smart fixtures such as refrigerators and dishwashers means I get the job done quicker.

About Marin Plumbing

As a plumber in Marin County for over 30 years, I know my client’s time is valuable. That’s why they value my attention to detail. They rely on me to get the job done right the FIRST time. The last thing busy people want is to have to make arrangements to fix an improper installation. That’s why I always use the best materials, best practices and go the extra step to test everything thoroughly.

Marin Plumbing is owned and operated by me, Brian Cooke. When you hire Marin Plumbing, I will be the person who schedules your appointment and I will be the one who shows up at your door. I started the company in 1991 because I felt that customers in Marin County needed a plumber with higher professional standards. You deserve a plumber who shows up on time and goes the extra mile to finish the job quickly. You deserve a plumber who maintains the highest levels of cleanliness both in terms of personal appearance and equipment. Let’s face it you don’t want a plumber who brings other people’s STUFF into your home.

You also deserve a plumber who upholds the highest levels of integrity. I will clearly explain all my charges and your options before I start work, and you will never be surprised by my bill.

Call or text me at 415-883-1243 and I’ll get right back to you.

Plumbing Contractor | New Construction & Remodeling Plumbing in Marin

June 9, 2021 by BrianCooke

If you are considering taking on a new construction project or need remodeling plumbing for your existing home. A plumbing contractor should be someone you trust to do things correctly from the start. It’s not the place to cut corners.

Unlike most plumbers, who get their start in the business clearing drains, my introduction to the business was in multi-million dollar new construction of luxury homes for Loomis in Marin County. In retrospect, building homes from the ground up was a great way to see how the whole home plumbing system functioned as a system and it was the best introduction to the plumbing trade I could have asked for.

I learned how to read blueprints, delicately place expensive fixtures and what was required to ensure a quality plumbing system for a luxury home that met and often exceeded what was required by building codes.

New Construction Plumbing and Plumbing Consultation

If you are building a new home from the ground up, I can help early in a consulting role by helping specify an optimal low-maintenance plumbing system. I can then build it out from the meter to the thermostatic shower valve, all with the best quality materials and craftsmanship. This kind of work brings me back to my roots and I enjoy it.

Remodeling Plumbing Contractor

Adding-on or significantly altering an existing home is a different challenge. One for which the latter part of my career (repairing plumbing systems in luxury homes) has prepared me well. The first step is to determine your remodeling plumbing requirements. Then just as importantly, assess the quality, condition and capacity of the original plumbing system.

In custom-built luxury homes (like I used to build), the existing system is sometimes built with enough capacity that we can simply add on to it. But in Marin County, more and more homeowners are customizing former tract homes. Often the best solution is running new water supply, sewage, and gas lines. I can help you with the pros and cons of each.

About Brian Cooke (Marin Plumbing)

Marin Plumbing is owned and operated by me, Brian Cooke. When you hire Marin Plumbing, I will be the person who schedules your appointment and I will be the one who shows up at your door.

I have been a plumber for over 33 years. I started the company in 1991 because I felt that customers in Marin County needed a plumber with higher professional standards. You deserve a plumber who shows up on time and goes the extra mile to finish the job on schedule. You deserve a plumber who maintains the highest levels of cleanliness both in terms of personal appearance and equipment. And who treats your shiny new fixtures with the utmost care.

You also deserve a plumber who can communicate clearly (based on experience, not commissions) what your options are and discuss the associated costs.

You also deserve a plumber who upholds the highest levels of integrity. I will clearly explain all my charges and your options before I start work, and you will never be surprised by my bill.

Advantages of Choosing a Small Remodeling Plumbing Contractor

I am a one-man shop. I am proud of the work I do and I have yet to find someone I would trust to take care of my customers the way I do. When you hire me, you get me. Larger plumbing contractors (who build multi-unit condos, apartments, and commercial spaces) hire less-experienced plumbers and trainees to do the actual work. These folks are just like I was (30 years ago). Take my word for it, you’d rather have me work on your home today than when I was a kid.

I have also been in the plumbing business in Marin County for many years and am friends with some of my competitors who I respect. In an emergency, I can pull in some of the next-best plumbers in Marin to help.

So if you need a remodeling plumbing contractor or you are starting a new construction project and need a plumbing contractor with experience, call or text me at 415-883-1243 .

Drain Cleaning Services (rooter, plumber snake, cabling)

May 12, 2021 by BrianCooke

Drain Cleaning vs. Snake vs. Rooter

Drain cleaning services tools have a variety of names: You’ve probably heard of rooter, plumber snakes, and cables. All these are names for the same tools. They all use a coiled metal flexible, rotating cable with a cutting tool at the tip. It slithers its way down your drain (like a snake) until it gets to the source of the clog. It then cuts through the obstruction until the water is flowing again. Keep in mind there are limits to how much it cut through.

So why is one Drain Cleaning Service a better choice than another?

Though the tools are basically the same, your experience as a customer can vary greatly depending on a few factors:

Licensed plumber vs. “trainee/technician”
Equipment technology and selection
Parts in stock to solve your problem in a single visit

Is the rooter plumber really a plumber?

Clearing a drain is a fairly simple matter… until it is not. A licensed plumber, with years of practical experience knows how to identify bigger issues that an apprentice or trainee will miss. Many large franchises keep labor costs down by offering on-the-job training to plumbing apprentices. They are called “Technicians”. After enough training to know how to use the equipment, they show up, maybe clear your drain and leave. If your clog was related to a bigger problem, they probably wouldn’t know that and you’d be facing another clog sooner than you’d like.

My clients prefer to avoid recurring clogs by solving the root cause of the problem. Which is often actually roots.

You can read about my experience below.

Drain Cleaning Plumber tools Snake, Rooter, cable

The rotating snake was developed in 1933 by Samuel Blanc who eventually formed the company that popularized the term “rooter”. Their website states that the technology hasn’t changed much since then.

I would certainly hope that their technology has changed since 1933. Mine sure has!

I bring some pretty sophisticated technology when I arrive at your door. I have a wide variety of tools in my arsenal. Each uniquely suited to certain pipe sizes and types. I also have a sophisticated fiber-optic plumbing camera system that includes a wireless sonde that transmits the exact location of any obstruction to the ground from below to a locating wand.

Most drain cleaning services won’t pack this kind of equipment because it is too expensive to trust to their trainee/technicians. So they won’t be able to diagnose and fix the problem and the clog will recur. You can see a great example of why that occurs in this plumbing camera video.

My Plumbing Warehouse on Wheels

Not only do I have the essential tools to properly diagnose your plumbing problems, I also carry enough of the most common parts to fix about 90% of problems on the spot. My customers appreciate the difference since many of their previous plumbers had to make a run to the plumbing supply house – on the clock.

Why I am your premier drain cleaning plumber

Quite simply, people who hire me to clean their drains are interested in minimizing the chances of having the problem recur. The big franchises will send their trainee/technicians or they will send more experienced technicians who earn commissions for upselling more expensive services.

I am Brian Cooke, I started Marin Plumbing in 1991 and was a plumber for several years before that. When you call Marin Plumbing you will always get me. That’s how I can guarantee top levels of service. There aren’t a lot of plumbers with over 33 years of experience. I offer the highest professional standards in terms of reliability, speed, cleanliness (both personal appearance and equipment), as well as a reputation for clear and thorough communication about your plumbing issues and the range of options for fixing them.

My Promise

As a plumber in Marin County, emergency plumbing situations are not uncommon. We have many older homes and families and that can add up to problems. While a plumbing emergency is never pleasant, any plumber can usually fix the immediate problem. I always go to the extra step of trying to figure out if there is a deeper problem that causes another plumber emergency call in the future. If you have chosen me to be your plumber, you should expect the benefit of my expertise to not only fix the emergency but also communicate any underlying causes that may be at play.

So if you have a clog in need of a snake call or text me at 415-883-1243 and I’ll come to your door with my arsenal of (clean) tools and my expertise.

Commercial Plumbing – Small Business Commercial Plumber

April 21, 2021 by BrianCooke

I am a commercial plumber for small businesses and organizations in Marin county. I offer commercial plumbing services in addition to residential plumbing in some of Marin counties showcase homes. As a small business myself, I understand what it means to have your business interrupted. I try to minimize my impact on your business and to leave your office as clean as when I arrived.

What Commercial Plumbing Means To Me

Commercial plumbing can mean many things. Often it means large construction projects like new office buildings and retail complexes. That’s NOT what I do.

I prefer to help small businesses with their periodic commercial plumbing repairs and maintenance. Office sinks, restrooms, breakrooms, and drains.

I take pride in being the most professional plumber in Marin. If you need a plumber showing up at your place of business, I am the guy you want. I show up in my clean truck, on time, in a clean uniform. And I don’t track other people’s “stuff” into your business.

The Marin Plumbing Difference

I am efficient because I am experienced.

I’m Brian Cooke, I started Marin Plumbing in 1991 and was a plumber for several years before that. I am a one-man shop so when you call Marin Plumbing you will always get ME.

That’s how I can guarantee top levels of service. There aren’t a lot of plumbers with over 33 years of experience. I offer the highest professional standards in terms of reliability, speed, cleanliness (both personal appearance and equipment), as well as a reputation for clear and thorough communication about your plumbing issues and the range of options for fixing them.

Commercial Plumbing Services

Here’s a short list of services that may be of interest to small businesses and organizations.

Call Me Any Time

Call me at 415-883-1243 and I’ll get right back to you

Plumbing Inspection with Cost Estimate

March 31, 2021 by BrianCooke

Get a plumbing inspection before buying or expanding a home!

Why? Because not only is the plumbing system the most costly system in your home to repair, but if problems arise they can cause the most costly damage. And it isn’t as obvious as a bad roof.

Marin Plumbing offers plumbing inspection for anyone considering buying or expanding a home in Marin. A plumbing inspection is similar to plumbing maintenance, which I also offer. Although the same systems are checked, the difference is that a plumbing inspection does NOT include performing the maintenance work. It can include estimates for any repairs and deferred maintenance needed.

Plumbing Inspection in Marin County

In Marin County, because of our hills, foliage and proximity to the San Andreas fault, residential plumbing systems are stressed to the breaking point (quite literally).

In fact, several municipalities including Mill, Valley, Belvedere, Sausalito, Corte Madera, and Ross have enacted lateral sewer ordinances. These REQUIRE a plumber camera inspection of a home’s lateral sewer line (the sewer connecting the home to the main sewer line) whenever improvements are made or a home is sold.

For many years, the county has been considering a recommendation that all cities in Marin county adopt such ordinances. The purpose is to keep rainwater from getting into the sewage system and overwhelming the treatment plants and protecting the environment from raw sewage. But the COST of repair and cleanup is on the homeowner.

So even if an inspection is not required by your city, it is in your best interest to know the condition of your sewer before you purchase a home or add additional plumbing fixtures. And while I’m out there with my plumber camera, it’s a good idea to have me check out the rest of the plumbing systems in the home you are about to invest in. It is just good due diligence. I can walk you (or your agent) through my findings and prepare an estimate if you need one.

Doesn’t My Home Inspector Check This Stuff?

A normal home inspection, will look for only visible damage. They will not get inside the pipes, or check pressures and other systems. Most importantly, with over 30 years of experience as a plumber, I have much more plumbing knowledge than your average home inspector. I know what to look for. The telltale signs that show up before defects are visibly obvious.

Also, even if a home inspector finds defects, they can’t tell you how much it will cost to fix the problem. Only a plumber can give you an accurate estimate.

About My Plumbing Camera Inspection

As with any piece of technology these days, there is a wide range of quality in the equipment available. And in the skill of the operator. My VuTek Camera system is top-of-the-line.

What that means for you is that the color camera is self-leveling (so it’s easy to look at), I can record narration as I inspect the sewer so you understand what we are seeing.

Most importantly, if there is an issue, the camera has a sond that transmits a locating signal so I can go out on the property with my hand-held receiver and mark the spot directly above where the problem lies. This allows pinpoint precision and lowers repair costs.

I have been performing camera inspections and sewer line repairs longer than anyone in the county. So you can rely on the accuracy of my findings.

Plumbing Inspection Checklist

Here are the items I normally check as part of a full plumbing inspection:

Inspect Sewer Line with state-of-the-art VuTek camera
Inspect Hot water Heater connections and proper operation
Check Water Pressure
Check gas lines
Check drains for clogs and obstructions
Check Irrigation system for proper operation & leaks
Check for toilet leaks and proper operation
Check faucets & fixtures for drips and corrosion
Inspect washing machine hoses, valves, and drain
check Sump Pump operation
Inspect dishwasher and garbage disposal for proper operation

Plumbing Maintenance can save this carpeted bathroom

Call me for a Home Plumbing Inspection

Protect yourself with a plumbing inspection, call me 415-883-1243 and let me make it easy and worry-free.