Straight Talk From a Local Plumber
Plumbing Questions, Honest Answers
These are the questions Glendale and Burbank homeowners actually ask us — about prices, process, emergencies, and who we are — answered the way we'd answer a neighbor across the fence.
Money First
Pricing & Costs
How much does a plumber cost in Glendale or Burbank?
We price by the job, not by the hour — you approve a flat quote before any tool comes off the truck. Straightforward drain clearing is our most affordable service; bigger projects like sewer replacement or a whole-house repipe are quoted after a free on-site look, usually with options at more than one price point. There's no meter running and no surprise add-ons when the invoice arrives.
What determines the cost of drain cleaning?
Mostly access and severity. A clog cleared through an easy-to-reach cleanout costs less than one that requires pulling a toilet or working from the roof vent. A single-fixture clog is simpler than a main-line stoppage, and hydro jetting or a camera inspection adds to the scope. We break down all of these factors — with typical LA-area ranges — in our drain cleaning cost guide.
What drives the cost of sewer line replacement?
Length and depth of the lateral, whether the line qualifies for trenchless replacement or needs open trenching, what sits above it (lawn versus driveway versus mature landscaping), and city permit and inspection requirements. Hillside lots can add complexity too. Our sewer replacement cost guide walks through typical ranges, and financing options can spread a larger project into manageable payments. You always get an exact flat quote before work begins.
Do you charge for estimates?
Estimates on replacement work — sewer laterals and whole-house repipes — are free. For service and diagnostic calls, we'll confirm any trip or diagnostic details with you when you book, before anyone is dispatched, so you know exactly what to expect. What we never do: start work of any kind without a flat price you've already approved.
How the Work Gets Done
Services & Process
Should my drain be snaked or hydro jetted?
A snake (auger) bores through the blockage and restores flow — the right call for most single-fixture clogs, hair, and objects. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the entire pipe wall, stripping out grease, mineral scale, and root fibers, so it's the better choice for greasy kitchen lines and clogs that keep coming back. Your technician recommends whichever your line actually needs; many jobs require nothing more than an expert snaking.
How long does a whole-house repipe take?
For a typical Glendale or Burbank single-family home, the pipe work itself usually takes two to five days depending on size, pipe material, and how much of the system is accessible. We keep water on each night in most cases, then handle the city inspection and patch the drywall we opened. Larger or hillside homes can run longer — you'll get a specific timeline with your repipe estimate.
What's the difference between trenchless and traditional sewer replacement?
Traditional replacement digs a trench along the full run of the old pipe. Trenchless methods — pipe bursting or lining — work from small access pits instead, which preserves driveways, patios, and mature landscaping and usually finishes faster. Not every lateral qualifies: badly collapsed or back-pitched lines may still need open trenching. A camera inspection tells us which route fits your pipe; see our sewer replacement page for how we decide.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes, always. Both Glendale and Burbank require permits for sewer line replacement and whole-house repiping, and inspectors sign off before we close anything up. We pull the permits, schedule the inspections, and hand you the documentation when the job is done — which matters later, because permitted work protects you at resale and keeps your insurance company happy.
What areas do you serve?
All of Glendale (ZIP codes 91201–91208, plus 91210 and 91214) and all of Burbank (91501–91506) — from Adams Hill and Verdugo Woodlands to Magnolia Park and the Rancho Equestrian District. We also serve nearby communities including La Crescenta-Montrose, La Cañada Flintridge, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Toluca Lake, and North Hollywood. See the full map on our service areas page.
When It Can't Wait
Emergencies
Can I keep using water during a sewer backup?
No — stop running water entirely. During a main-line backup, everything you send down any drain has nowhere to go but back up into your home, so every faucet, flush, and laundry cycle makes the mess worse. Shut things off, keep people and pets away from any wastewater, and call our 24/7 emergency line at (818) 242-7878.
What should I do while waiting for the plumber?
Shut off the water — at the fixture's angle stop for a local leak, or at the house main (usually near the front hose bib or in the meter box at the curb) for anything bigger. Stop running water and flushing toilets if sewage is backing up. Keep kids and pets away from any wastewater, and move valuables out of the wet area. Skip the chemical drain openers; they make the line hazardous to work on.
Do you really answer nights, weekends, and holidays?
Yes — the emergency line is answered around the clock, and we dispatch for genuine emergencies at any hour. We'll be straight with you, though: if your problem can safely wait until morning, we'll say so and book you the first available window instead of charging you for a midnight visit you don't need. Honest triage is part of the service.
Who You're Hiring
About the Company
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes — Alpha-Beta Plumbing Service is a licensed, bonded, and insured California plumbing contractor: CSLB License #700571. That link goes straight to our record on the state's own site — and it's advice we give everyone, even people who never hire us: verify any California contractor's license before letting them touch your plumbing. A legitimate contractor will never mind you checking.
Do you guarantee your work?
Every job we do is backed by our workmanship guarantee. If something we repaired or installed doesn't perform the way it should, call (818) 242-7878 and we come back to make it right — no runaround, no re-litigating the invoice. Guarantee terms for larger projects like repipes and sewer replacements are spelled out in writing with your quote, so you know exactly what's covered.
Do you work on condos and townhomes?
Yes. We're a residential plumbing company, and that includes condos, townhomes, and duplexes throughout Glendale and Burbank — common in the Media District, Downtown Burbank, and along Brand Boulevard. Multi-unit buildings add wrinkles like shared drain stacks and HOA approval requirements; we're comfortable working within both and can provide whatever documentation your association needs before work starts.
How do I schedule service?
One call does it: (818) 242-7878, answered around the clock. Tell us what's going on and where you are, and we'll confirm a time — same-day appointments are available in most cases across Glendale and Burbank, and we give you an arrival window rather than an all-day wait. Our contact page has hours, license details, and our full service area.
Still have questions? Ask a person, not a webpage — call (818) 242-7878 any time, day or night, or reach us through the contact page and we'll answer whatever this page didn't.