The Oakland neighborhoods we serve most
We take emergency calls across Oakland. The ones we reach most often are in the hills and along the I-580 corridor: Glenview, Dimond and Oakmore (94602), Grand Lake, Crocker Highlands and Trestle Glen (94610), Montclair and Piedmont Avenue (94611), Rockridge (94618), and Redwood Heights, Maxwell Park and Laurel (94619). From Hayward, I-580 takes our plumbers straight there.
Hundred-year-old houses
Many Oakland homes date from the 1910s to the 1930s. They are well built, and their plumbing is long past its design life. Galvanized water pipe closes up with rust and then leaks. Cast iron drains crack. Clay sewer lines shift at the joints, and the street trees that make these neighborhoods what they are send roots into every gap.
In the hills there is one more thing. Houses step down steep lots, so plumbing can be on three levels and the sewer line may run a long way before it reaches the street. A blockage low on the hill can back sewage up into a downstairs bath that seemed fine the day before.
What happens after you call
We answer the phone (510) 626-9773. Tell us the address, what is leaking or backing up, and anything about access: stairs, a narrow driveway, where to park on a hill street. A plumber is sent and you get an arrival window.
We stop the water or clear the line first. Then we show you what caused it and explain the repair and the cost before doing more. If the same pipe has failed before, we will say so plainly and tell you what a longer-lasting fix would be, whether that is a section of new pipe or a full repipe.
Sewer backups and Oakland's lateral rules
The City of Oakland owns the sewer mains, and EBMUD treats the wastewater. The lateral from the house to the main is the owner's. Oakland is also in EBMUD's private sewer lateral program, which requires a compliance certificate at certain times, such as when a home is sold. If an emergency shows that your lateral is in poor shape, it is worth knowing where you stand. Our sewer lateral page and Oakland drain cleaning page explain more.
About us
Friendly Services is family-owned and has worked from Hayward for over 20 years. We hold license CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing) and carry $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty. We have 100+ five-star reviews online, and estimates are free.