Marin Plumbing - Best Plumber serving Marin and Sonoma Counties

Marin Plumbing
40 Montego Key
Novato, CA 94949
CALL 415-883-1243
License Number: 611745

Plumbing Maintenance Items Checklist – Prevent Plumbing Disasters

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Most people never think about plumbing maintenance. They only call a plumber when something goes wrong. Let’s face it, plumbers are expensive. Why spend money when everything is working fine?

There are three reasons to consider a maintenance plan:

  1. Lowering the total cost of plumbing repairs over the life of your home
  2. Prevent wasted water due to small leaks
  3. Preventing costly damage to your home and finishings.

In Marin County, the second one is by far the most common reason my customers want plumbing maintenance. Many Marin homes have expensive floors covered with priceless rugs. Plus, other fine finishings such as wallcoverings and moldings can also be damaged by a plumbing disaster.

While insurance may cover most of these costs, my clients are busy people whose time is valuable. Dealing with an avoidable plumbing emergency takes time and is distracting to say the least. For this reason, they choose to avoid plumbing emergencies (as much as possible) by having me perform regular maintenance.

Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

  • check Sump Pump operation – annually
  • Inspect connections and Flush Water Heater
  • Perform drain cleaning & check for clogs and obstructions
  • Check Water Pressure
  • Check for toilet leaks and proper operation
  • Check faucets & fixtures for drips and corrosion
  • Inspect washing machine hoses, valves, and drain
  • Inspect dishwasher and garbage disposal for proper operation
  • Check Irrigation system for proper operation & leaks
  • Inspect Sewer Line with Drain Vision camera
Plumbing Maintenance can save this carpeted bathroom

Call me to set up a periodic maintenance plan

Avoid plumbing problems with regular maintenance, call me 415-883-1243 and let me make it easy and worry-free.

Sump Pump Installation and Maintenance

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If you need sump pump installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement, I can help. The best tip I can offer regarding sump pumps is to get in the habit of performing yearly routine maintenance on your sump pump. Or call me to do it. 415-883-1243

Usually when I get asked to replace a sump pump, the basement, crawl space, or outdoor living space is already flooded. The damage has been done and the best way I can help you is simply to give you an honest assessment as to whether we replace your sump pump with a similar-sized unit or a larger one. As a plumber, it’s also my job to make sure there aren’t plumbing issues causing the flooding or preventing the flooding from draining.

Sump Pump Installation

Sump pumps are usually found at the lowest levels of your home or landscaping and it’s super easy to forget about them until there is a flood and the damage has been done. Often, a little off-season sump pump maintenance could have prevented the sump pump from failing.

It is a shame to see flooding cause damage that could have been prevented with a bit of sump pump maintenance.

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 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 can communicate clearly the options you have for repair and alert you to upcoming problems. Not that I claim to be clairvoyant and predict every future leak, but I have been around long enough to spot the telltale signs of future problems that you should be aware of. 

Marin Plumbing also 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.

Sump pumps are on my shortlist of plumbing maintenance items that save you money and should be checked every year.  I love seeing my regular customers but even my biggest fans would probably prefer to see me less often. Call me about regular maintenance for your sump pump and the other items on my list of plumbing maintenance items.   

Or if you prefer, call me to fix your sump pump after your basement has flooded.

Water Pressure Regulator Valve (PRV) Installation – Marin Sonoma

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What Is A Water Pressure Regulator Valve?

A water pressure regulator valve, also called a water pressure regulator or PRV, is a small plumbing fixture installed on the main water line to your home. It effectively reduces the maximum water pressure flowing to your fixtures and appliances.

“Whaaat?”, you say. “Why would I want to do that?”, you are probably asking. Nobody enjoys taking showers under a dribble.

Believe it or not, there are several reasons you might want a water pressure regulator valve to reduce your water pressure. The good news is that a well-installed PRV should not result in wimpy showers or useless dishwashers -but could save you a ton of money and heartache.

I always check your home’s water pressure before I begin work. If the pressure is over 75 psi – I recommend installing a pressure regulator valve. The recommended water pressure is 60 psi to 75 psi. This will NOT result in wimpy showers. That happens under 40psi – and I can help fix that too.

  • water pressure regulator valve replacement - before
  • water pressure regulator valve replacement - after

Benefits Of A Water Pressure Regulator Valve

1. Prevent leaks in fixtures

High water pressure is not good for your pipes and fixtures. The excessive wear and tear can lead to hairline cracks that can develop into major issues over time. Often the first signs of damage caused by excessive water pressure is a simple leaky faucet.

2. Extend the Life of Appliances

Excessive water pressure can lead to more frequent repairs of appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, laundry machines and most modern refrigerators. These appliances often have multiple hoses, connections, washers, and valves inside them which are all strained when water pressure is too high.

3. Protection From Water Supply Variations

City water lines vary from street to street, some homes have higher water pressure than others even in the same neighborhood. Over time, this high water pressure can take its toll on the fixtures in your home. This can cause pipes or more commonly, washing machine supply hoses to burst (especially if you are away for a weekend in Tahoe). This is among the top causes of catastrophic water damage in the home.

4. Reduced Water Consumption

A water pressure regulator valve (PRV), can often reduce your total water consumption by 1/3 or more. In addition to the conservation benefits here in drought-prone California, you can reduce your water bill drastically. In Marin, we have a tiered fee water system that is designed to encourage conservation. The cost of high water usage is nearly 470% over baseline water costs. A pressure regulator can help you keep most of your water costs at the affordable baseline rates.

5. Reduced Waste Water

It stands to reason that the less water you use, the less goes down the drain and to the sewage treatment plant. The result is less strain on the system, less power to treat the sewage and less of a need to expand water treatment facilities. You will realize most of these savings in your water bill but some of it shows up in your taxes as well.

6. Money Savings

The cost savings could be substantial when you consider the combination of:

  • Fewer minor fixture repairs (leaks etc)
  • The water wasted due to minor leaks
  • Fewer major appliance repairs
  • Extending the life of major appliances
  • Avoiding repairing damage caused by burst pipes and supply hoses
  • Water conservation and avoiding the higher priced billing tiers
  • Taxes and fees related to wastewater treatment

Why Choose Marin Plumbing For Your Water Pressure Regulator Valve?

Water-Pressure-Regulator-Valve-Installer

I’m 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.

Could you benefit from a water pressure regulator valve? Call me to discuss if a PRV is right for you. If it is I can get it installed correctly, safely and guaranteed leak-free, call me at 415-883-1243 and let me make it easy and worry-free.

Plumber Camera Inspection to Diagnose Your Clog

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Why Plumber Camera Inspection?


Plumbing/Plumber camera inspection help to diagnose and pinpoint the root cause of your clog. Sometimes drains clog because someone tries to put something down the toilet or the kitchen sink that doesn’t belong.

Here is a list of the top 10 items I find when unclogging drains:

  • Roots from trees and bushes
  • Tampons
  • Paper towels
  • Flushable wipes
  • Floor cleaning wipes
  • Large food items
  • Dental floss
  • Condoms
  • Cotton swabs
  • Small toys and action figures
  • Dog hair (in washing machines)

The truth is, a properly functioning drain system should not clog.

Brian Cooke

Unfortunately, often your clog may be caused by something more serious like a pipe rupture, offset joints due to ground movement or roots growing into your sewer lines.

You want to know what’s causing your clogged drain and if/when it will clog again. I have no crystal ball, but I do have something better, a state-of-the-art drain inspection camera

Drain Vision Camera Inspection

For a plumber, camera inspection is the best tool in our truck for diagnosis. After years of experience with early plumbing cameras, I knew better than to go cheap when selecting my latest diagnostic camera, the Drain Vision camera. It can go 250 feet down standard 3″ to 6″ pipes. It is fiber optic, color, and self-leveling. The ability to see inside the pipe allows me to fix a variety of issues with certainty. Most importantly, it sends a signal to pinpoint its location from up to 16 feet below ground! So if we need to dig, we know EXACTLY where.

  • diagnosed-plumbing-problem-30-inches-deep
  • Plumber camera inspection results

What can plumbing camera inspection find?

Often roots or vegetation growing into a cracked pipe, or house settling crimping a pipe, or a pipe that has shifted and is no longer sloping downward. Sometimes I even find and retrieve valuable jewelry.

See Video Pipe Inspection for a video demonstration.

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 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 can communicate clearly the options you have for repair and alert you to upcoming problems. I am not clairvoyant, instead, I use a state-of-the-art plumbing inspection camera to make a proper diagnosis. 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

How can a plumbing camera inspection save you money?

Many plumbers (especially sewer line specialists), will recommend replacing an entire sewer line even if the problem is in a single spot. Sometimes, due to the age and condition of the line, that is the most appropriate solution.

plumber camera inspection locating

With my camera, I can see the source of the problem so clearly, I can confidently rule out unnecessary work if the damage is localized. A spot repair is a fraction of the cost of replacing an entire line and can be repaired much more quickly.

In the interest of transparency, Marin Plumbing provides premium plumbing services. I’m known for being the cleanest, most professional, most communicative, and thorough plumber in Marin county. I also have the best camera inspection services in the county. I will probably not be the cheapest option in the short term but by doing the job right the first time and spotting early warning signs, I feel I save my clients many thousands in the long run. I’m also the guy you are most comfortable having in your home or place of business.

So if you have a clog that is not obvious (or even if it is and you need help), call or text me at 415-883-1243 and I’ll get back to you.

Tankless Water Heater Installation and Repair

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Tankless water heater Installation

A tankless water heater is becoming an increasingly popular option for providing unlimited hot water to an entire home. This is especially true in the San Francisco Bay Area (and Marin County). That’s because they save a lot of energy, which makes them a solid choice for the environment. And they also save money in the long run.

The Bay Area is a great part of the country for tankless water heaters. Our mild winters prevent the water in the city pipes from getting too cold. The tankless water heaters don’t need to heat the water from near freezing which means greater energy efficiency.

Please note that this article is about whole-house tankless water heaters. Please see Instant Hot Water Heater and Dispenser Installation for information on the under the counter instant hot water dispensers intended to deliver hot water to a single spigot.

Tankless Water Heater Installation Since 1991

As Marin County’s premier plumber, I know my clients want the best plumbing solutions without compromise. I help my clients install tankless water heaters that give them all the benefits, without the drawbacks. For my installations, I recommend and install top-quality units and parts to deliver a solution tailored to your family and home.

Pros Without Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Most websites discuss the pros and cons of tankless vs. the regular (tank-style) water heaters. But with advances in technology and the appropriate installation, almost all the downsides of a tankless water heater can be eliminated.

Since you are reading this, you may already know that the benefits of a tankless water heater include:

  • Energy Efficiency
    • because you are only heating the water when you need it.,
  • Never Running Out of Hot Water
    • because you aren’t limited to the capacity of a tank,
  • Lower Risk of Leaks
    • due to corrosion in a tank of hot water,
  • Zero Risk of Tank Exploding
    • because there is no tank
  • Lower Levels of Toxic Metals
    • which develop as a water tank ages and corrodes,
  • Longer Life Expectancy
    • because it’s not always on.

Many families suffer needlessly with the down-sides of tankless water heaters because they choose models that are inadequate, obsolete, or quite frankly too cheap. Inferior installation can also play a role in your tankless hot water heater not meeting your expectations.

The often-cited “drawbacks” of a tankless system are:

  • Higher Cost
    • my Marin County clients understand that the best products often cost a little more. But here this might not even be true. Factor energy savings up to 34%. A life expectancy 2X that of a tank-syle heater, and the total cost of ownership may wind up being equal. As a percentage of our home prices in Marin, any difference becomes a rounding error anyway.
  • Takes Longer To Deliver Hot Water To The Faucet
    • This used to be true. But now, if you install a newer (slightly more expensive) unit with a built-in recirculation pump – problem solved
  • Cannot Deliver Enough Hot Water To Multiple Fixtures Simultaneously
    • This is only a problem if you install a unit that is under-capacity for your needs. I will ask the right questions to make sure you get the right-size unit.
  • No Hot Water During A Power Outage
    • This one is true (but easily solved if you have a generator). Though I’m not sure if a lack of hot water is your biggest inconvenience in a power outage.

Ultimately, if you never want to worry about running out of hot water (except in a power outage), and you want the cleanest, safest most environmentally-friendly hot water, then a tankless water heater is for you.

If you are interested in a tankless water heater for your home call me. With a few questions, I can help you choose the best unit for your home and lifestyle. I’ll install it correctly, safely, guaranteed leak-free, and worry-free. 415-883-1243