Category guides
Expert guides, tips, and insights about Sewage & plumbing for San Jose and South Bay property owners.
A burst pipe is one of the fastest-moving home emergencies there is — it can flood a room in minutes and send water through ceilings and into floors below. What you do in the first few minutes genuinely affects how much damage you're left with. Here's exactly what to do, in order. (General guidance.)
Read guideA sewage backup is one of the few home emergencies that's genuinely a health hazard, not just a mess. The water involved — what the industry calls Category 3 "black water" — carries bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This is the one situation where the "what NOT to do" list matters as much as the cleanup itself. Here's what you need to know. (General information, not medical advice — for any exposure or health concerns, contact a doctor.)
Read guideFrozen pipes feel like a problem for snowy states, not Silicon Valley. But here's the counterintuitive truth: *Bay Area homes are often more vulnerable during a cold snap, not less — precisely because our pipes weren't built for freezing weather. When an occasional cold front pushes temperatures below freezing, exposed and under-insulated pipes can freeze, expand, and burst. Here's how to prevent it. (General prevention guidance.)*
Read guideIf you own an older home in San Jose or the surrounding South Bay, your sewer line deserves more attention than it probably gets. Many of the area's established neighborhoods sit on decades-old sewer lines that are increasingly prone to backups — and a backup brings hazardous Category-3 water into your home. Here's why older homes are at higher risk and what to watch for. (General information.)
Read guide
