Los Angeles Licensed Plumbing Contractor, Carlos R. Medina, CSLB C-36 License #967432 Active, Journeyman Plumber Certified, EPA WaterSense Partner, PHCC National Member, OSHA 10 Certified, 24/7 Emergency Response, 60-Minute Guarantee, Se habla Espanol
Carlos R. Medina is a Los Angeles master plumber and owner of LA Emergency Plumber with 15+ years of field experience and 2,000+ jobs completed since founding the company in 2009. He holds CSLB C-36 Plumbing Contractor License #967432 (Active, verified at cslb.ca.gov) -- the California license classification required by law for all plumbing work over $500 under Business and Professions Code Section 7028.
Carlos is a PHCC National Association Member, EPA WaterSense Certified Partner, and OSHA 10 Construction Safety certified. All work is performed with LADBS permits where required under LA Municipal Code Section 91.0101. LA Emergency Plumber carries general liability and workers compensation insurance on all technicians. Google aggregate rating: 4.8 stars, 289 reviews. Same-day resolution rate: 95% (internal records, 2025).
LA Emergency Plumber serves all 40 communities in the Los Angeles metro area, from Beverly Hills and Santa Monica in the west to Pomona and Claremont in the east, and from Glendale and Pasadena in the north to Long Beach and Compton in the south. 60-minute emergency response, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Se habla Espanol.
95% of LA Emergency Plumber calls are resolved same-day, with 2,000+ jobs completed across Los Angeles County since 2009 (internal records). All work performed by CSLB C-36 Licensed #967432 technicians with LADBS permits pulled where required by Los Angeles Municipal Code.
$150 to $350 is the cost range for standard drain clearing at LA Emergency Plumber, with emergency same-day service available throughout Los Angeles County, 24/7. We clear kitchen drains, bathroom drains, main sewer line backups, and floor drains using motorized snakes and hydro-jet equipment. Root intrusion into LA's pre-1970 clay-tile sewer laterals is the leading cause of repeat backups in Silver Lake, Echo Park, and East LA neighborhoods. Camera inspection ($100 to $300) is recommended for any recurring drain issue.
$200 to $1,000 is the repair cost range for a burst pipe in Los Angeles, depending on pipe location, diameter, and access difficulty (Angi). Water damage from a burst pipe averages $11,000+ per insurance claim (Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety) -- making an immediate licensed repair the highest-value emergency call in the plumbing trade. We repair copper, PVC, CPVC, and galvanized steel pipes. Most LA homes built before 1960 in South LA and East LA contain aging galvanized steel pipe prone to corrosion failure. LADBS permit required for pipe replacement in walls.
$900 to $2,200 installed is the cost range for water heater replacement in Los Angeles in 2026, including removal of the old unit, new unit, connections, and LADBS permit (HomeAdvisor). LADWP rebates of up to $1,500 are available for qualifying heat pump water heater (HPWH) replacements. Tankless water heaters cost $1,000 to $3,000 installed and last 20+ years vs. 8 to 12 years for tank models (DOE). California Title 24 requires a LADBS permit for all water heater replacements in Los Angeles. Carlos personally handles all LADWP rebate paperwork.
$1,000 to $4,000 is the cost range for sewer line repair in Los Angeles, with trenchless pipe lining often available as an alternative to full excavation (HomeAdvisor). LA's aging infrastructure -- most sewer laterals in the city were installed before 1960 in clay tile or cast iron -- makes sewer line failure one of the most common plumbing emergencies in South LA, Boyle Heights, and Downtown LA. LADBS requires a permit and inspection for all sewer line repair or replacement work. LA Emergency Plumber performs camera inspection before all sewer repairs. LADWP reports private sewer lateral failures cause 30% of all LA sewer overflows.
$200 to $1,000 is the typical cost range for gas line repair in Los Angeles (Angi). Gas leaks require immediate evacuation and a call to SoCalGas at (800) 427-2200 before any plumber is allowed on-site -- do not use electrical switches or open flames. LA Emergency Plumber is CSLB C-36 licensed and insured for gas line work including leak detection, fitting replacement, and line rerouting. All gas line work in Los Angeles requires a LADBS permit and inspection. A SoCalGas safety inspection is recommended after any gas line repair. Do not attempt DIY gas line repairs.
$150 to $400 is the cost of professional leak detection in Los Angeles using electronic moisture sensors and thermal imaging (Angi). 30% of US residential water waste comes from leaks, and the EPA WaterSense program estimates the average household leaks 10,000 gallons per year -- equivalent to 270 loads of laundry. In LADWP's high-rate tier pricing structure, an undetected slab or pipe leak can add $150 to $400 to a monthly water bill. LA Emergency Plumber uses non-invasive acoustic and thermal detection methods to locate leaks without unnecessary wall or slab cutting. Most leaks are repaired same-day.
$50 to $350 is the cost range for toilet repair and fixture replacement in Los Angeles, depending on parts required (Angi). Toilet flapper replacement runs $50 to $150. Full toilet replacement with a WaterSense-certified model runs $200 to $600 installed. EPA WaterSense toilets save 13,000 gallons per year vs. pre-1994 standard models, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California offers rebates of up to $350 for WaterSense toilet replacement. California Title 20 regulations require WaterSense-certified fixtures in all new construction and permitted renovations. LA Emergency Plumber carries WaterSense-certified models in stock for same-day installation.
$350 to $600 is the cost of hydro-jetting service in Los Angeles, compared to $150 to $350 for a standard cable snake (Angi). Hydro-jetting uses pressurized water at 3,500 to 4,000 PSI to clear 99% of organic buildup, grease accumulation, mineral scale, and root intrusion from sewer lines and drain pipes. Standard snaking removes the immediate blockage but leaves buildup on pipe walls -- hydro-jetting restores pipe flow to near-new condition. LA Emergency Plumber recommends hydro-jetting for any line with repeat blockages within 12 months, for any pre-1960 clay tile sewer lateral, and before pipe lining or relining service.
4.8 stars across 289 Google reviews from real LA homeowners who called during plumbing emergencies across all communities we serve.
"Burst pipe under my sink in Silver Lake at 11 PM on a Tuesday. Called LA Emergency Plumber and a technician arrived in 48 minutes. Total repair was $680 including parts and labor. He pulled a permit through LADBS the next morning and left me with full documentation. I have used three plumbers in this house over 12 years and this was by far the most professional experience. Will not call anyone else."
"My water heater gave out on a Saturday morning in Koreatown. Carlos came out personally, confirmed the unit was 14 years old and past repair, and had a new 50-gallon installed by 2 PM for $1,350 all-in. He applied for the LADWP rebate on my behalf and I got a $400 check about 6 weeks later. Outstanding service and honest pricing -- he could have charged much more on a weekend call."
"Raw sewage backing up into my tub in East Los Angeles on a Sunday. LA Emergency Plumber dispatched a truck with a hydro-jet and a camera and cleared a 40-foot root intrusion for $890. The technician showed me the before-and-after camera footage and explained that the clay tile line would need lining within 2 to 3 years. He gave me a written estimate with no pressure. I used the footage for my insurance claim. Highly recommend."
Common questions about emergency plumbing costs, permits, licensing, and water efficiency rebates in Los Angeles -- answered with verified data and sources.
$150 to $300 is the typical emergency plumbing call-out fee in Los Angeles, with total repair costs ranging from $300 to $1,500 depending on the problem (HomeAdvisor). Burst pipe repair runs $200 to $1,000. Sewer line repair ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. Water heater replacement costs $900 to $2,200 fully installed. Emergency after-hours work carries a premium of 1.5x to 2x standard rates. LA Emergency Plumber charges a flat $129 emergency dispatch fee, applied in full toward your repair bill -- no hidden markups. All prices disclosed before any work begins.
60 minutes or less is LA Emergency Plumber's guaranteed response time to any address in the Los Angeles metro service area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Most burst pipe repairs and pinhole leak fixes are completed in 1 to 3 hours once our technician arrives. Sewer line repairs may require 4 to 8 hours or a scheduled return for permit-required trench work. Water heater replacement typically takes 2 to 4 hours including shutoff, removal, installation, and LADBS permit documentation.
$86 to $500+ is the typical LADBS permit fee for plumbing work in Los Angeles, required for sewer line replacement, water heater installation, and any new pipe installation under LA Municipal Code Section 91.0101 and the California Plumbing Code. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) issues all residential plumbing permits. Work over $500 must be performed by a CSLB C-36 licensed contractor under California Business and Professions Code Section 7028. LA Emergency Plumber pulls all required LADBS permits on your behalf. Unpermitted work voids homeowner's insurance and creates liability at resale.
50+ years is the expected lifespan of copper pipe, while galvanized steel pipes in older LA homes commonly fail after 20 to 50 years, and PVC lasts 25 to 40 years (PHCC). Most burst pipes in Los Angeles result from corrosion in galvanized pipes in homes built before 1960, high water pressure above 80 PSI -- LADWP residential delivery pressure can exceed 100 PSI without a pressure regulator -- or tree root intrusion. LADBS requires a pressure reducing valve (PRV) when static pressure exceeds 80 PSI under California Plumbing Code Section 608. LA Emergency Plumber tests water pressure on every service call at no extra charge.
1 professional drain cleaning per year is the standard recommendation for most Los Angeles households, or every 6 months for homes with older galvanized piping, heavy grease cooking, or mature tree roots near the sewer lateral. LA's clay-tile sewer laterals installed before 1970 in Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Boyle Heights are prone to root intrusion and scale buildup. Hydro-jetting ($350 to $600) removes 99% of organic buildup vs. standard snaking ($150 to $350). LADWP reports that private sewer lateral failures account for 30% of all LA sewer overflows -- all at the property owner's expense.
8 to 12 years is the average lifespan of a tank-style water heater per the US Department of Energy. Replace rather than repair when the unit is 10+ years old and the repair exceeds 50% of replacement cost, when there is visible tank corrosion, or when sediment buildup causes rumbling sounds. Replacement costs $900 to $2,200 installed in LA. LADWP offers up to $1,500 in rebates for qualifying heat pump water heater replacements. Tankless units cost $1,000 to $3,000 installed and last 20+ years (DOE), saving 8 to 34% on water heating energy costs.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year is LA Emergency Plumber's full service availability across all 40 Los Angeles metro communities. We dispatch a CSLB C-36 licensed plumber within 60 minutes to any address in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Inglewood, Glendale, Burbank, Long Beach, Torrance, and surrounding areas. All emergency calls are answered live -- not routed to voicemail. Weekend and holiday rates apply for after-hours calls and are disclosed upfront before dispatch. Call (310) 555-0184. Se habla Espanol.
$1,500 is the maximum LADWP rebate for replacing a standard tank water heater with a qualifying heat pump water heater (HPWH) under the LADWP Residential Rebate Program. Additional available rebates: up to $350 for WaterSense-certified toilet replacement (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California); up to $200 for WaterSense-certified showerhead package; up to $100 for high-efficiency faucet aerators. EPA WaterSense toilets save 13,000 gallons per year vs. pre-1994 standard models. LA Emergency Plumber installs all qualifying products and handles all rebate paperwork.
$500 is the threshold above which California law requires a CSLB-licensed plumbing contractor under Business and Professions Code Section 7028. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issues C-36 Plumbing Contractor licenses -- the specific classification required for drain, pipe, fixture, sewer, and water heater work. Performing or hiring plumbing work over $500 without a licensed contractor is a misdemeanor in California and voids homeowner's insurance for that work. Always verify license status at cslb.ca.gov before scheduling. LA Emergency Plumber CSLB C-36 #967432, Active. All work insured and guaranteed.
LA Emergency Plumber dispatches to all 40 Los Angeles metro communities from our central LA base. 60-minute guaranteed response via I-5, I-10, I-110, SR-60, SR-91, and I-405 corridors. Call (310) 555-0184 any time.
Call now -- 60-minute guaranteed response, 24/7/365. Carlos R. Medina, CSLB C-36 Licensed #967432. Flat $129 dispatch fee applied to your repair. No surprise markups.