South Valley Plumbing Company serves homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across South Valley and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Whether you need a drain cleared, a water heater replaced, or a slab leak tracked down, we handle the full range of residential and commercial plumbing work. We are open every day from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM, including weekends, so you can reach us when the problem actually happens.
Call (505) 369-4282 for a quote.
Drains that run clear. Faucets that don't drip. Pipes that hold.
Keeping a home dry starts with the pipes behind the walls, and most plumbing problems come down to a handful of common jobs. Here is what we handle day in and day out across South Valley and the surrounding area.
Clogged drains are one of the most frequent calls we get. A slow sink, a backed-up toilet, or a main line stoppage all point to the same need: a thorough drain cleaning that clears the blockage and gets the water moving again. We handle everything from a single clogged drain to a full main line cleaning when the whole system is slow.
Leaks rarely announce themselves clearly. A dripping pipe under the sink, a failing water supply line, or a shutoff valve that won't hold can all cause water damage before you spot the source. We run pressure testing and electronic leak detection to find the problem, then repair or replace the affected line or valve.
Toilets, faucets, and fixtures wear out. A running toilet wastes water, a dripping faucet adds up on the bill, and a cracked sink or faulty hose bib creates problems in the walls or under the floor. We repair and replace toilets, install new faucets and sinks, and handle shower and bathtub plumbing in both bathrooms and kitchens.
When the hot water stops, it usually means the water heater needs attention. We diagnose and repair tank water heaters, replace units that have reached the end of their service life, and install tankless systems for homes making the switch. No hot water is a disruption to the whole household, and we treat it as the priority it is.
Sewer and main line problems show up as slow drains throughout the house, sewage odors, or a backup that affects multiple fixtures at once. We clear sewer clogs, repair damaged sewer lines, and replace main water lines when the pipe itself has failed. The line running from the house out to the city connection is our territory, and we handle it completely.
A garbage disposal that hums but won't spin, leaks at the base, or simply stops working is a straightforward repair in most cases. We fix disposals, replace units that are past repair, and clear clogs that have backed up into the drain line below.
If you're not sure your water pressure is where it should be, the cause could be a failing pressure regulator, a partially closed shutoff valve, or a buildup in the supply line. We run water pressure diagnostics, replace main shutoff valves, and identify the source of pressure loss before recommending a fix.
Older homes in South Valley often have galvanized or polybutylene pipe that has corroded or become brittle over time. Whole-house repiping with PEX is a lasting solution that replaces the problem material throughout the home. We keep code-compliant plumbing on every job, so the work holds up to inspection and protects the property long term. Call and we'll get the water running right.
When the water won't stop, the right move is to shut off the supply and call for help. A burst pipe, a major water leak, a sudden sewer backup, a complete loss of hot water, or a sharp drop in pressure all qualify as plumbing emergencies, and they do not wait for a convenient time.
We are open every day from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM, including Saturdays and Sundays. When you call, you reach someone who knows the trade and can scope the job on the phone before anything is scheduled. We take pride in the plumbing work we leave behind, and that starts with getting to the actual cause rather than guessing at a fix.
Pick the date. We do the plumbing. We clean up after.
Call (505) 369-4282 for urgent plumbing help.
Not every plumber works the same way, and the needs of a single-family home are different from those of a rental property or a commercial building. We work across both sides of that line throughout Bernalillo County.
For homeowners, we handle the everyday repairs and installations that keep a house running: bathroom and kitchen plumbing, water heater service, fixture upgrades, drain cleaning, and leak repair. Whether you own your home or are getting a property ready to sell, we can scope the work on the call and confirm the price before we schedule.
For property managers, landlords, and businesses, reliable plumbing is a matter of keeping tenants and customers comfortable and keeping the property in good condition. We work in apartment buildings, multi-unit rentals, office buildings, and commercial spaces. Commercial drain cleaning, water heater replacement for multi-unit buildings, and fixture repairs across multiple units are all part of what we do. Fixtures and lines left working before we go is the standard we hold on every commercial job, because a callback means something was missed the first time. We keep your home dry and your water flowing.
Bernalillo County's geology and climate create specific plumbing challenges that come up again and again in this area. Hard water, expansive clay soils under slab foundations, and a dry high-desert environment all shape the kind of work that matters most here.
South Valley sits in one of the hardest-water regions in the country. High mineral content in the water supply leaves scale inside pipes, shortens the life of water heaters, and causes buildup in faucets and fixtures over time. A water softener or water treatment system addresses the problem at the source. Water filtration and softener installation involves connecting the system to the main supply line, setting up the treatment media, and confirming that every fixture downstream is receiving treated water. We also install whole-house filtration for households that want cleaner water beyond just the hardness. If your fixtures are scaling up faster than they should or your water heater is losing efficiency, water treatment is worth a call.
Homes in this part of New Mexico are almost all built on concrete slabs, and the clay-heavy soil underneath shifts with moisture and temperature changes. That movement puts stress on the copper and galvanized lines embedded in or running under the slab, and leaks develop over time. The signs are easy to miss at first: a water bill that keeps climbing, a warm or damp spot on the floor, or low pressure that has no obvious cause. We use pressure testing and electronic leak detection to locate the leak without unnecessary excavation, then repair or reroute the affected line. Catching a slab leak early limits the damage to the slab and the flooring above it.
In a high-desert climate where ambient temperatures stay warm for much of the year, a traditional tank water heater keeps a large volume of water hot around the clock, even when no one is using it. A tankless unit heats water on demand, which reduces standby energy loss and delivers hot water whenever a faucet is opened. Installation involves connecting the gas or electric supply line, running the appropriate venting, and confirming that the flow rate matches the household's demand. For homes with an aging tank unit, a tankless replacement is a practical upgrade that suits both the climate and the water use patterns common in this area.
Pricing is straightforward. When you call, you get the rate on the phone before anything is scheduled. We ask about the symptoms, scope the job based on what you describe, and confirm the price before the visit is booked. The scope and the price are both settled before work begins, so there is nothing to figure out at the door.
We are open every day from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM. If you have questions about what a diagnostic or service call covers for your specific situation, ask on the call and you will get a straight answer. We'll find it, fix it, and test it before we leave.
We work throughout South Valley and across Bernalillo County, including Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Los Lunas, Bosque Farms, and Belen. Older homes in the area often have outdoor plumbing and crawl space plumbing that needs attention, from hose bibs that have corroded to supply lines running through unprotected spaces under the house.
Knowing where the main shutoff is helps in any plumbing emergency. If you are not sure where yours is located, it is worth taking a few minutes to find it before a problem forces the question.
Reduced water pressure throughout the house, rust-colored or discolored water at the faucet, and leaks appearing in more than one location are the most common indicators. Galvanized steel pipe, which is common in older homes across the South Valley and Bernalillo County area, corrodes from the inside out, so the exterior of the pipe can look intact while the interior is heavily scaled. If you are seeing any of those signs, a diagnostic visit is the right starting point.
We use pressure testing and electronic leak detection methods to locate the source of the leak before any concrete is touched. These methods let us identify the specific location of the failure, which limits the area that needs to be opened for the repair. Once the location is confirmed, we discuss the repair options and give you the price before any work on the slab begins.
In South Valley and the surrounding area, sediment buildup from hard water is the most common cause. Mineral scale accumulates at the bottom of the tank over time, reducing the effective capacity of the unit and making it work harder to heat water. If flushing the sediment does not restore performance, the heating element or thermostat may have failed, or the unit may have reached the end of its service life.
A tankless unit heats water on demand rather than keeping a large tank warm around the clock, which reduces standby energy loss in a climate where ambient temperatures stay relatively warm for much of the year. Installation involves connecting the gas or electric supply line, running the appropriate venting, and confirming that the flow rate matches the household's demand. For homes with an aging tank unit, a tankless replacement is a practical upgrade that suits the high-desert climate.
Tree roots follow moisture and can work their way into joints and cracks in older sewer lines, eventually causing a partial or full blockage. Mineral scale from hard water accumulates on the interior walls of pipes over time, narrowing the passage and slowing flow. Both problems show up as slow drains throughout the house, gurgling sounds, or a backup that affects multiple fixtures at once.
When the diagnostic confirms that a unit or a pipe system has deteriorated past the point where individual repairs make sense, we walk through the replacement options and confirm the price before any work begins. For a water heater, that means removing the old unit and installing and testing the new one. For a repiping job, it means replacing the problem material throughout the home with PEX, which handles the temperature swings common in this area.
If water is actively flowing from a break or leak, shut off the main water supply to the house. If you are not sure where the main shutoff is, look near the water meter or along the main supply line where it enters the home. Avoid using any fixtures connected to the affected line, and keep the area clear so the plumber can access the problem quickly when they arrive.
Low pressure throughout the house often points to a failing pressure regulator, a shutoff valve that was never fully reopened after a prior repair, or scale buildup inside the supply lines from hard water. A pressure drop at a single fixture is more likely a clogged aerator or a failing valve at that fixture. A diagnostic visit covers the full supply path to find where the restriction or failure is before a repair is recommended.
The visit is focused on the problem that was scoped on the call, but the plumber will also check the related fixtures, valves, and supply lines in the work area for anything that is visibly failing or likely to cause a problem soon. If something additional turns up, that is a separate conversation with a separate price before any additional work proceeds. The goal is to leave the home with the identified problem resolved and nothing overlooked in the immediate area.
If you are buying or selling a home in South Valley, planning a remodel, or moving into an older property with galvanized or unknown pipe material, a plumbing inspection is a practical step. It identifies what the system is made of, where the pressure and flow stand, and whether any components are showing early signs of failure. Catching a developing problem before it becomes an emergency is considerably less disruptive than dealing with it after the fact.
Replacement starts with disconnecting the old unit from the drain line and the electrical supply, then mounting and connecting the new unit. The drain connection is tested for leaks, and the disposal is run through a full cycle before we leave. If the issue is a jam or a tripped reset rather than a failed motor, we clear the obstruction and test the unit before recommending replacement.
For most repairs, yes, the water supply to the affected fixture or section of pipe will need to be shut off while the work is done. For larger jobs like a repiping or a main line repair, the main supply to the house may be off for part of the visit. We confirm what to expect on the call when the job is scoped.
The price is confirmed before the visit is scheduled based on what you describe. If the diagnostic reveals a problem that is larger or different from what the call indicated, that is a separate conversation before any additional work proceeds. Work that requires materials or access beyond the original scope is priced and agreed to before it starts.
South Valley Plumbing Company handles residential, commercial, emergency, and specialty plumbing throughout South Valley and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. From a clogged drain to a whole-house repipe, from a slab leak under the foundation to a tankless water heater installation, we cover the full scope of plumbing work that homes and businesses in this area need.
We are open every day from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Call (505) 369-4282 for a quote.
We test every fixture. We check every valve. We leave it dry.
From a clogged drain to a full slab leak repair, we handle the complete range of residential and commercial plumbing work across South Valley and Bernalillo County. The table below lays out what each service covers, who it fits best, and one practical detail worth knowing before you call. If a job on your list is not here, call us and we will scope it on the phone.
| Service | Scope of Work | Typical Situations | Helpful to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repiping (PEX) | Galvanized and polybutylene pipe removal, Whole-house PEX repipe, Code-compliant installation | Older South Valley homes with corroded, brittle, or repeatedly failing pipe material | PEX handles the temperature swings common in the high desert and is resistant to the scale buildup that shortens the life of metal pipe in hard-water areas. |
| Water Heater Repair & Replacement | Tank unit repair and replacement, Tankless installation, Sediment and element service | Any household losing hot water, running out faster than usual, or replacing an aging unit | Hard water in South Valley accelerates sediment buildup, which shortens tank life and reduces heating efficiency before the unit visibly fails. |
| Low-Flow & Water-Saving Fixtures | Low-flow toilet installation, Water-saving faucet and showerhead replacement, Fixture flow testing | Homeowners reducing water use or upgrading fixtures during a remodel | Pairing low-flow fixtures with a water softener extends fixture life by reducing the scale that clogs aerators and showerheads in hard-water areas. |
| Faucet & Fixture Installation | Faucet replacement, Sink and hose bib installation, Shower and tub fixture repair | Homeowners upgrading fixtures or dealing with a drip that has not responded to basic fixes | Mineral scale from hard water is a common cause of dripping faucets and stuck valves in this area. |
| Garbage Disposal Service | Jam clearing, Motor and reset diagnosis, Full unit replacement | Kitchens with a disposal that hums, leaks at the base, or will not run | A disposal that hums but does not spin is usually jammed rather than failed, and clearing the obstruction often avoids a full replacement. |
| Leak Detection & Repair | Pressure testing, Electronic leak detection, Supply line and valve repair | Homeowners seeing unexplained water bills, damp spots, or low pressure | Finding the source before opening walls limits the repair area and keeps the job scope predictable. |
| Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal | Single-drain clogs, Main line stoppages, Slow-drain diagnosis | Homes or rentals with slow, backed-up, or fully clogged drain | A main line stoppage that affects multiple fixtures at once usually needs a full line cleaning, not just a fixture-level fix. |
| Water Pressure & Shutoff Valve Repair | Pressure regulator replacement, Shutoff valve repair, Supply line pressure diagnosis | Homes with pressure that has dropped gradually or spiked unexpectedly | A shutoff valve that was never fully reopened after a prior repair is one of the most common and easiest-to-miss causes of low pressure. |
| Water Softener & Water Treatment | Softener installation on main supply line, Whole-house filtration, Treatment media setup and testing | Households dealing with scale on fixtures, reduced water heater efficiency, or hard-water taste | South Valley sits in one of the hardest-water regions in the country, so treatment at the point of entry protects every fixture and appliance downstream. |
| Hard-Water Descaling | Scale removal from fixtures and aerators, Supply line flushing, Showerhead and valve clearing | Homes where flow has dropped at individual fixtures due to mineral buildup | Descaling a fixture restores flow quickly, but pairing it with a water treatment system prevents the buildup from returning. |
| Emergency Plumbing | Burst pipe response, Major leak containment, Sudden sewer backup | Any situation where water is actively flowing where it should not be or a full loss of hot water has disrupted the household | Shutting off the main supply before we arrive limits water damage and makes the repair faster to scope when we get there. |
| Toilet Repair & Installation | Running toilet repair, Flapper and fill valve replacement, Full toilet replacement | Homes with a constantly running, leaking, or non-flushing toilet | A running toilet can waste a significant volume of water daily, so a repair typically pays for itself quickly on the water bill. |
| Slab Leak Detection & Repair | Pressure testing, Electronic leak location, Line repair or reroute under slab | Homes on concrete slabs with climbing water bills, warm floor spots, or unexplained pressure loss | Clay-heavy soil under most South Valley slabs shifts with moisture and temperature, which puts repeated stress on embedded copper and galvanized lines over time. |
| Sewer & Main Line Service | Sewer line clearing, Main line repair and replacement, Root intrusion removal | Properties with slow drains throughout the house, sewage odors, or multi-fixture backups | Tree roots follow moisture into joints and cracks in older sewer lines and can cause a partial blockage long before a full backup occurs. |
What are the signs that a drain clog is in the main line rather than a single fixture?
When one sink or toilet backs up, the clog is usually local to that fixture or the branch line serving it. When multiple fixtures in different parts of the house slow down or back up at the same time, that points to a main line stoppage. Gurgling sounds from a floor drain when you run a washing machine or flush a toilet are another indicator. A main line clog needs a different approach than a fixture-level fix, and we scope which one you are dealing with on the call before we schedule.
How do you find a hidden leak without opening every wall?
We start with pressure testing to confirm a leak is present in the supply system and narrow down which section of pipe is losing pressure. From there, electronic leak detection lets us pinpoint the location without unnecessary access. Once we know where the failure is, we discuss the repair approach and confirm the price before anything is opened. The goal is to limit the area disturbed to what the repair actually requires.
What is the difference between snaking a drain and hydro jetting, and when does each make sense?
Snaking uses a cable to break through or pull out a blockage, which works well for most household clogs caused by grease, hair, or debris. Hydro jetting sends a high-pressure water stream through the line, which cuts through heavier buildup, flushes the debris completely out of the pipe, and clears root intrusion more thoroughly than a cable can. Hydro jetting makes more sense when snaking has not held, when the line has a history of recurring clogs, or when a camera shows heavy scale or root growth along the pipe wall.
Cause Found Before Anything Is Replaced
We run pressure testing and electronic leak detection to locate the problem before recommending a repair path. The scope and the price are confirmed before any pipe is cut or any unit is pulled.
How do I know if my water heater needs repair or full replacement?
A water heater that runs out of hot water faster than it used to, produces discolored or rusty water, or makes rumbling or popping sounds during heating is showing signs of sediment buildup or component wear. In many cases, flushing the tank or replacing a heating element or thermostat restores performance. When the tank itself is corroding, leaking at the base, or has reached the point where repairs are not cost-effective, replacement is the better path. We diagnose the unit on the visit and walk through both options with the price before any work starts.
Is a permit required for plumbing work, and who handles that?
Permit requirements depend on the scope of the work and whether it involves new installation, replacement, or repair. A full repipe, a water heater installation, or a sewer line replacement typically requires a permit and inspection. Routine repairs to existing fixtures generally do not. We handle the permit question as part of scoping the job, and code-compliant installation is the standard on every job we do, whether or not a permit is involved.
How long does a whole-house repipe typically take?
The timeline depends on the size of the home, the number of fixtures, and the pipe material being replaced. A single-story home can often be completed in one to two days. Larger homes or those with more complex layouts may take longer. We give you a realistic timeframe when the job is scoped, so you know what to expect for water availability during the work.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Whether the job is a fixture swap or a full repipe, the work meets the code inspectors in this area enforce. That protects the property and keeps the work from creating problems at resale or inspection.
What causes a faucet or fixture to drip even after the handle is fully closed?
A dripping faucet almost always means a worn washer, O-ring, or cartridge inside the valve body. In South Valley, mineral scale from hard water accelerates wear on these components and can also cause a valve to stick or fail to seat fully. The fix depends on the faucet type: compression faucets use a replaceable washer, while cartridge and ceramic-disc faucets use a cartridge or disc that is swapped out. We identify the type on the visit and confirm what the repair involves before anything is taken apart.
What should I do if I suspect a slab leak but am not sure?
The early signs are easy to miss. A water bill that keeps climbing without a change in use, a warm or damp area on the floor, low pressure that has no obvious cause at the fixture level, or the sound of running water when everything is off are all worth a call. We run pressure testing to confirm whether a leak is present in the supply system, then use electronic detection to find the location. Catching it early limits the damage to the slab and the flooring above it.
Older and Newer Plumbing Both Handled
South Valley homes range from mid-century construction with galvanized pipe to newer builds with PEX and tankless systems. We work across all of it and scope the job based on what is actually in the house.
When does it make sense to call a plumber rather than attempt a repair yourself?
Clearing a slow drain with a plunger or replacing a showerhead are reasonable DIY tasks. Work that involves the main shutoff valve, supply lines inside the wall, the water heater, the sewer line, or anything that requires opening the slab or the wall is better handled with a call first. A repair that goes wrong at any of those points can cause water damage, code issues, or a bigger repair than the original problem. We scope the job on the phone and give you the price before anything is scheduled, so you can make an informed decision.
How is a tankless water heater installed, and how long does the job take?
Installation involves connecting the gas or electric supply line, running the appropriate venting to the exterior, and confirming that the flow rate the unit delivers matches the household's hot water demand. The existing tank unit is removed first. Most installations are completed in a single visit. We confirm the scope and the price on the call before scheduling, and we test the unit through a full cycle before we leave.
What does it mean when a shutoff valve will not fully close?
A shutoff valve that will not close completely is a problem that tends to surface at the worst time, when you need to stop water flow quickly during a leak or repair. Gate valves, which are common in older homes, can corrode or have the gate fail internally so the valve turns but does not seat. Ball valves are more reliable but can seize if they have not been turned in years. We replace failing shutoff valves with reliable ball valves and test the shutoff before we leave. If you are not sure where your main shutoff is or whether it works, that is worth checking before an emergency forces the question.
Call (505) 369-4282 and we will scope your job on the phone, confirm the price, and get it on the schedule.
(505) 369-4282