I had a long-lasting problem with tree roots that had gotten into the sewer pipes between the house and city main. Despite the various chemical treatments, it was a problem that required a visit from a plumber almost annually for the last seven years. On previous occasions, our washing machine discharged a load of liquid onto the garage floor due to the blockage. I dreaded calling a plumber just to hear that the sewer pipe under the driveway where tree roots had gotten into needed to be replaced and would cost thousands of dollars. I never called the same plumbing company twice because I was never happy with any of their work. I had to call one company back twice because the problem wasn't completely fixed the first time. I expected better since they all had positive recommendations. After reading several good reviews on Yelp, I called Ace Plumbing. People either rated them great or really bad. A technician came within the time window given. A good start. But this time the problem was different. The drain's P-trap under the garage broke and now requires cutting into the concrete and digging deep down to replace it. This will definitely be thousands of dollars. The Ace Plumbing technician told me he would cut me a discount if I contract him to do the pipe replacement for the tree root problem as well. He quoted me a price that is cheaper than what all the previous plumbing companies quoted by a half, which did not including the P-trap problem. He showed me exactly where the tree roots were using a high tech fiberoptic camera and a location detector. He said only a small section of the driveway needs to be cut and a small section of pipe replaced. I didn't need to replace the entire length of pipe which the other plumbers had quoted. And no city permit is required because we don't need to actually cut into the sidewalk. Now that's honesty I would have never heard from any other plumber. To repair both problems for half of what the others quoted for one? Of course, I took his offer. They did a fantastic job. They were mindful of keeping everything around the construction area clean and to a minimum. They came back a few days after for a final check and cleanup. I can't be more satisfied. And I am difficult to please. The people at Ace Plumbing are honest, professional, punctual, knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to talk to. And I mean the entire organization-- from the office manager to the construction crew. I can't thank them enough. Ace Plumbing-- I'm keeping their number on my phone. read more

6yrs ago, I shopped around for a plumbing company to replace my sewer line. Ace Plumbing was listed in the Diamond Certified Directory and still is. It makes a difference to me that a company qualifies and continues to be included in that directory. I made the decision to go with Ace based on the reasonableness of the quote and based on the interactions I had with all the employees I came into contact with. From the person who answered the phone to Jasmine the project manager, everyone was professional and courteous. They were quick to answer any questions I had. I felt that I had to choose the right team to do the job properly. This was the right team. Fast forward to the end of last year, Ace came through for me during emergencies related to recurring backup issues. Around the holidays you would expect plumbing businesses to be short on staff but they got a hold of one their plumbers on call who cleared the line for me before the rain started. The name of the plumber they sent for the scoping was Russ. Russ' enthusiasm in helping the customer find out what the underlying problem is was evident. It looks like he takes extreme pride in his work and gets satisfaction from helping the customer understand what is going on, like what it should look like when things are normal and what it looks like when there is something wrong. The problem he found was root intrusion in the city side of sewer line. I was advised to call 311 following each occurrence to report the problem. Are there plumbing issues a property owner shouldn't pay a plumbing company to fix? You betcha. I was surprised that Ace's owner Jonathan took one of my calls as I was panicking about yet another backup I suspected was happening. Jonathan patiently explained to me how to focus my energy and avoid spending money unnecessarily. He said something to the effect of, You pay sewer maintenance fees monthly with your water bill. You shouldn't need to pay out of pocket to fix that problem yourself. His advice to me was to call 311 first and not be afraid to be persistent about opening up and following up on service requests. "We''re here 24/7 if you still need us". He was right and I am grateful for that advice. If you want a team you can depend on and have peace of mind, call Ace Plumbing. They're responsive, effective and on your side read more

I recently had the pleasure of working with an outstanding plumber, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service provided. From the initial contact to the completion of the job, the experience was seamless and professional. Our plumbing issue was quite urgent, and this plumber responded promptly to our call for help. Their quick response time was impressive, and they managed to schedule an appointment that fit perfectly into our busy schedule. Punctuality was on point, arriving exactly when promised, ready to tackle the problem. What truly set this plumber apart was their expertise and attention to detail. They quickly diagnosed the issue, explaining the problem in simple terms that were easy to understand. This transparency helped us feel confident in their abilities and reassured us that we were in capable hands. Throughout the repair process, the plumber worked efficiently and meticulously. They took great care to ensure that everything was done correctly, double-checking their work to avoid any potential future issues. Their dedication to quality was evident in every step they took. In addition to their technical skills, the plumber was courteous and respectful of our home. They took measures to protect our floors and cleaned up thoroughly after the job was done. This level of care and consideration is rare and greatly appreciated. The pricing was fair and transparent, with no hidden fees or unexpected charges. The plumber provided a clear estimate before starting the work and stuck to it, delivering excellent value for the high-quality service received. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the plumbing service provided. The combination of prompt response, expert knowledge, meticulous work, and courteous behavior made for a truly exceptional experience. If you are in need of a reliable and skilled plumber, I highly recommend giving this professional a call. They exceeded our expectations in every way and will be our go-to for any future plumbing needs. Thank you for your outstanding service and for restoring our plumbing with such expertise and care! read more

I certainly didn't anticipate this company defrauding me! I contracted with Ace to have my water heater replaced. When I called, I was quoted around $1500 for the job, estimating at least 6 hours labor plus the heater. I was told that the guy would be at my house in an hour after picking up the heater and so far, I was really impressed for the fast turnaround. I wasn't about to be happy for too long, because the guy arrived over 1 hour late. He brought a water heater and spent 45 minutes examining the piping to my house and then went out again to get more parts. Yet another hour later, he arrived and replaced the water heater (3 hours max). He ended up charging me $1825 total (for the extra parts). It has been over a week since he installed the heater and the pilot light to it has gone out 2 times so far. I called their office several times. They educated me how to turn the pilot back on, but what is astounding to me, is the fact that I have never had to do this to the old heater that I had for over 8 years. Until now, no one could not explain why the pilot light needs to be re-lit so often, and I was also given a stern warning that any other return trips to my house is going to cost me more money. Do these people want me to singlehandedly pay for all their recession woes? I feel a company should stand behind their service, specially since I think they definitely did something wrong in the installation. The office absolutely refuses to do anything further for me and I've pretty much been scammed! Stay far away from this company. They'll take your last money away, without batting an eyelash. I have begun the complaint process with the Better Business Bureau because I definitely feel defrauded! I will write an update to this review as soon as I have an answer from the BBB. Stay tuned, this is one woman who isn't going to take being ripped off lightly. I am a single woman. I work very hard, with very long hours for what little money I have, and I do not deserve to be treated dishonestly! read more

I wore a long unhappy face when I came to the realization that I had to replace my sewer line (it is not cheap!). I did what most people do, shop around until you get the feeling you've found the right company to do business with. Well, Ace Plumbing was in the Diamond Certified Directory (which I trust) and gave me an estimate that was the lowest of all the estimates! When Sean the Senior Plumber came by to give me a quote, he was very accommodating. He saw that I was dressed for the office and did not keep me long. Everyone whom I spoke to on the telephone was friendly, courteous and professional. The Project Coordinator Amanda was easily accessible by e-mail and telephone, answered all of my questions and addressed my concerns, The crew worked around my hours. The workmen kept everything very neat on site. The 2 holes that were necessary at both ends were cut very neatly: 2 neatly cut squares. Can you imagine, how do you keep sewer supplies/equipment/materials and mounds of dirt, neat? You'll have to see for yourself. The job was done with minimal noise and minimal interruption to my schedule. Thank you to Arvin, Mike, Sean and Freddie. You did such a terrific job handling this project. I did not know that you were going to preserve the square of my exposed aggregate surface in the driveway. You put it back intact -- That was a very nice surprise! Every morning, I would get a telephone call from their office that the crew was coming over. Clear communication, no guesswork whatsoever. Everyone I came into contact with seemed very down-to-earth and looked like they took pride in their work. Every step of the way, I had nothing but a pleasant experience. I think this company is staffed with exceptional people. Thank you everyone at Ace Plumbing And Rooter! read more

My sewer backed up and I called Ace, who came out on-time as promised (on a Sunday!). They diagnosed the problem as a ruptured sewer line (tera cotta pipe) which needed replacement. They were very clear about the costs, so my expectations were set immediately. Since the driveway needed to be excavated anyway, I also asked them to replace my main water line (which was only 1/2" pipe) AND add a water faucet to the front yard (which I never had). Again, they were very clear about the additional costs of these service. They were very accommodating to my needs as a customer, informed me of the work at every critical step, called me to follow up after their work was done, and went above and beyond the call of duty when it was discovered that the City line to my driveway was also leaking (they got on the phone and worked with the Water Department to come out and fix it). The City fix is still in progress, but I am certain Ace's intervention and repeated follow up with the City enabled me to avoid the likelihood of experiencing significant frustration (and wasted time) if I had to deal with that issue on my own. As a side note: Jonathan diagnosed my garbage disposal and helped clear it out (hence, avoiding the need to replace it). The entire team was top notch and professional: Jonathan, Randy, Josh, Ricardo, as well as the admin staff (Nicole). I never got any estimates from any other plumbing service because the comments that I read from Angie's list were glowing and the fact that they showed up on time when promised obviated my desire to spend additional effort on comparison shopping. I strongly recommend Ace and would have no hesitation to call upon them again if needed (although I hope I don't have to). read more

This review is for two separate jobs with two separate awesome and professional plumbers. Leo Soto: When you have a house, the last thing you want is a bunch of surprise sewer problems. I can say that after this experience, I have a newfound appreciation for plumbing, and the unsung heroes that maintain this intricate and essential system in every building. Leo is smart, methodical, and scientific in his approach to solving problems (changing rusted/leaking sections of sewer inside the house, hydrojetting, snaking, changing out clay pipe in the front yard, getting permits...etc.). It was a huge job, and over the course of at least 6 visits and 3 weeks, I can now sleep easy knowing that there will be no more backups. He is literally a house doctor, and figuratively held my hand the entire way in diagnosing the blockages, giving me temporary fixes that would at least allow me to use water in the evening, before the real job was done. He patiently explained his special endoscopic gear, and allowing me to be part of his process of looking inside the pipes to understand the issues. On top of this, I also had Leo + Israel replace my water heater the same day that I requested it. These guys are truly quick, reliable, and professional. I felt taken care of the whole way and have a trusted house doctor friend for life. Kyle Kellum: I had a great experience with Kyle putting together my sink / dishwasher / airgap / garbage disposal install. There was a problem with my sink measurements that was not his fault, but he WAS able to troubleshoot on the spot and get everything done without needing to redrill my counter. It was a great efficient trip. Thank you! read more

I've had the misfortune of a couple of plumbing problems in the past couple of weeks, and used Ace Plumbing to fix both of them. They're always busy, so getting somebody to come is a bit of an issue, but once they do show up, they do a stupendous job. Today, Scotty showed up with a trainee in tow, because I had a leaking hose under my kitchen sink. At first I was a little dismayed because they had no tools, not even a flashlight, but it turned out that everything they needed was out in their truck on the street. They went out, brought back some clamps and parts, and fixed the problem. Then, Scotty declared that he had really done no significant work, so there would be NO CHARGE. Unbelievable. Maybe two weeks ago, Phillip Seiler showed up from Ace to install a new shower head I needed installed because the old, non-regulated one that I loved for its pre-PC blast of water, had broken. When I explained what I wanted, and showed him the new shower head I'd bought, he broke the bad news to me: I was going to get a feeble trickle of water out of this thing. Then he installed it, and showed me how to get the best water flow possible out of the duel shower head and hand-held head. It's almost as good as the old one. So far, this company is batting 1000 as far as I'm concerned. Two great plumbers in two weeks, and the people in the office are very professional and helpful, too. Great outfit. read more

My name is Judy and on Sunday Sept 25,2016 I called Ace because my Toilet bathtub and garage sink was plugging up with water.. It was around 2PM and the dispatch told me that they do not service Millbrae anymore but told me to hold on and see what she could do, She came back and told me that BRIAN would be out between 4:00 and 5:00Pm. Brian arrived at 4:00Pm and I told him what was going on with my plumbing so we went down to the basement to the main sewer line and he proceeded to snake out the line and at that point noticed something was not quite right because he could not snake out to the main sewer line in front of the house. he then took the camera and went through the line and showed me the backup of water that was in the line about 30ft out.. He noticed the work that was being done on my block I told him the city was installing new water lines at that point he told me that there was a good chance that the line was broken by the workers. He told me to call the city of millbrae on Monday and have them come out. The Public works people came out and dug out the asphalt and found that my line was broken by the people installing the new water lines. I want to thank Brian so much for his experience and knowledge in this business he was able to detect what the problem was .and because of Brian everything was fixed. THANK YOU BRIAN FOR BEING SUCH AN EXPERIENCED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PLUMBER read more

I call a week prior and arrange for a plumber to come out at 2pm on a Thursday to fix a root and plumbing issue at our office. At 2:05 on said Thursday Phyllis calls and says they had some plumbers call out sick and they'll call me later when they have someone to send over. I miss a call, and cal right back and get told that Phyllis will call me as soon as she gets off her other call. She never calls me back. At 8:35am I get a call from an unlisted number, I call back less than 20 minutes later and it's the plumber telling me that he's at the house and he's spoke with the tenants. I told him that he's not supposed to be there, and he's not supposed to be contacting the tenants. I told him that we can't have any services done that day (which is why we scheduled for the day prior) He didn't seem to care or get why showing up uninvited at someone's house at 8:30 in the morning is completely inappropriate. Overall he was pretty rude, and I told him some words that violate Yelp's terms of service. I called the office afterwards and got met with a defensive customer service agent. I told her "do not dare send me an invoice" and she got pretty butthurt. There's literally no reason to use their services. Their plumbers may be competent, but their office staff is not. Rude staff with poor communication and flaky service. read more

This is the third time I've used them. This time it was a major repair on our sewer line because several years ago our general contractor hired the worst plumbers on the planet. This time I wanted professionals to do the work. Ace had to route the pipes, then jet it, then run the camera through, and then finally had to remove cement only to discover that someone had driven a cast iron pipe into our clay pipes. The process wrecked both pipes and was slowly destroying our driveway. The price was 2,800 for the first six feet but we decided to ask them to replace the pipe up to the city sewer line. So that added another 3000 and another 1000 for replacing the entire 19'x 9' driveway. Pricey but we're no longer ankle deep in raw sewage. I'm not going to begrudge the nice men hauling out tons of septic sand a decent wage. Truthfully, I think it's worth the price to do it once and to do it right. Note: the cement guys were late several times but when they were there, they did a bang up job. I asked if they could duplicate the original pattern using the walkway and they did. Later when it was dry, I painted the driveway. While doing this, I got slews of complements on how pretty it was. So kudos to both teams. One for making my life sanitary and the other for giving my neighbors eye candy. read more

I can't say enough good things about my experience with Ace Plumbing and Rooter. Recently, they came out to replace 50 feet of underground sewer lateral piping, as well as 10 feet of an external branch line to our six unit condominium building in San Francisco. The pipes are over 100 years old and were badly corroded. Not only did they replace, the pipes with state of the art materials, they worked seamlessly with the city and county of San Francisco to get the permits and set up the city inspections. The team of workers was professional and prompt with clear communication about when they would be coming and what exactly they would be doing. they provided a detailed estimate with the scope of work and provided insurance information immediatel upon request. . They also provided a 10 year warranty on workmanship and materials. Especially helpful were Chelsea who handled the administrative coordination with the team and city inspectors, and Phillip, who was the foreman managing the other team members. It was a huge job that required large swaths of concrete to be removed and refilled. Not only was the work stellar, but they won the with the most competitive price among several plumbers we interviewed. I will definitely be using Ace plumbing and Rooter again. read more

I am not a gushing person, in fact this is my only review on yelp, but I will contend that there is no better plumber in the city than Ace plumbing. I don't frequently hang out with plumbers but the guys at Ace could change that. Ace came through like an old friends last month when the sewer line in my house backed up. They responded within hours, they brought tools and experience that helped me to understand the issue, they worked the problem progressively, at least expense to me, until the root (intrusion) of the issue was Identified. All in all the repair was not cheap, but the guys at Ace worked diligently (rain or shine), they spent an enormous period of time explaining to me in detail what was taking place at the repair site and they were very good about cleaning up daily after they left. The cost of the job was comparable to other quotes I got, but the confidence and comfort I got from working with Ace was what sold me. I have not owned a house long, but I have been a consumer of many services throughout my life and I can honestly, gushingly, say that my experience with ACE could not have been better. Ask for Jonathan (the owner) or Fidel, these were the leaders of the work at my house and simply great to deal with. read more

Okay so our main line backed up on a Sunday night - of course it did. I called around and Ace was one of the few that actually picked up. They said they could have someone out Monday morning. Rick showed up right at 8am. Real nice guy, didn't act annoyed that I was hovering around asking questions. He ran a camera down the line and showed me exactly what was going on - turns out tree roots had gotten into an old clay pipe joint. He didn't try to upsell me on a whole new line right away. Just said "we can clear this and it'll buy you a year or two, but long term you'll want to think about replacing that section." He cleared the roots with the hydro jet and auger, took maybe an hour and a half. Charged exactly what he quoted over the phone - $275. No surprise fees, no "oh by the way we also need to..." Honestly the best part? He cleaned up after himself. Even wiped down the basement floor where some water had splashed. That never happens with contractors. It's been three months and no slow drains, no backups. I'll definitely call them again when we're ready to replace that pipe section. If you need a plumber that's honest, shows up when they say they will, and doesn't rip you off - these are your guys. read more