Professional plumbing for San Jose and Bay Area homes. Esquives handles repipes, water heater installs, sewer line repairs, and new plumbing installations.
Plumbing rough‑in is the stage where we install all the supply and drain lines inside walls, floors, and ceilings before insulation and drywall. It’s done after framing and before finishes so inspectors can see the piping. Once the rough‑in passes inspection, we close up the walls and return later for fixtures and final connections.
Copper is durable and familiar but can be more expensive and sensitive to aggressive water in some areas. PEX is flexible, often more economical to install, and can reduce the number of fittings in walls, which means fewer potential leak points. We’ll look at your water quality, house layout, and budget to recommend the best option or a combination of both.
There are typically two inspection stages: rough plumbing before walls are closed, and final when everything is operational. At rough inspection, the inspector checks pipe sizing, support spacing, drain slope (typically 1/4 inch per foot on horizontal runs), cleanout locations, and venting. For new supply lines, a pressure test is usually required—100 psi held for a specified period with no visible leaks. Under-slab plumbing gets particular attention because access after the slab is poured is costly and invasive; we coordinate the rough inspection before any concrete is placed over new drainage. For water heater replacements, inspectors verify the expansion tank, T&P relief valve discharge pipe length and material, and seismic strapping. We schedule inspections to align with the broader construction sequence so no trade is held waiting for a plumbing sign-off.
A full re‑pipe usually requires opening sections of walls and ceilings where pipes run, especially near bathrooms and the kitchen. In many Bay Area homes, we can complete the piping in 2–5 working days, plus time for inspections and patching. We plan the work to keep water service interruptions as short as possible and let you know exactly where we’ll need access.
We can replace a traditional tank with a tankless heater, but it may require upgrading gas lines, venting, and sometimes electrical service. We look at your hot water usage patterns, location of the existing heater, and local code requirements to size and place the new unit. We’ll explain the pros, cons, and expected changes in performance before you commit.
We locate and expose the old drain lines, often in crawlspaces, basements, or slab areas, then cut them out and replace them with ABS or PVC per local code. Where drains are under slabs, we may need to sawcut concrete and trench to access them. We test the new lines with water or air as required by the inspector before backfilling and patching.
We start with a camera inspection to see the condition and location of the problem. In some cases, spot repairs or trenchless methods like pipe bursting or lining are options; in others, excavation is the most reliable solution. We’ll discuss the findings with you and recommend the least disruptive method that still provides a long‑term fix.
Sometimes, yes. We try to access leaks from the least visible or most easily repaired areas, but water lines and drains are often under tile, hardwood, or concrete. We’ll show you where we need to open up, explain alternatives if any, and coordinate with our tile or flooring crews to restore the finishes after the repair.
If you see active dripping, ceiling staining that’s growing, hear water running when fixtures are off, or notice a sudden jump in your water bill, you should call right away. In multi‑story homes and condos, even small leaks can quickly damage finishes and cause mold. We can help locate the source and stop the damage before it spreads.
Yes, we install and modify domestic water, drain, and gas lines as part of remodels, ADUs, and additions across California. We size gas lines for new appliances, route water efficiently, and lay out drains to meet code and inspection requirements. Everything is coordinated with the overall construction schedule so trades don’t clash and inspections pass smoothly.
Esquives General Contractors · Morgan Hill, CA · (408) 809-1212 · sales@esquivescontractors.com · Mon–Fri 6:00am–5:00pm, Sat 6:00am–2:00pm · CSLB License #1056641 · Licensed, bonded & insured.