Need an emergency plumber in Los Gatos? Our line is answered 24/7. We are based in Saratoga and reach Los Gatos by Highway 9, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Road that links the two towns. Whether the problem is a burst pipe in the 95032 ZIP, a backed-up drain near 95030 or a failed water heater in 95033, call, say what you see and a dispatcher will plan the visit.
Los Gatos has its own character. The Town was incorporated on August 10, 1887, and its downtown still holds restored Victorian-era buildings. Behind that downtown sits a mix of foothill houses from several decades. That mix decides what kind of plumbing problem you are likely to have, so the sections below start with the problems and then explain the housing.
What to do while you wait for a Los Gatos emergency plumber
Shut off the water
Find the main valve and close it by turning clockwise. For a water heater leak, close the cold water valve above the heater and switch the heater off or to pilot.
Stop using drains
For a backup, stop using sinks, toilets, the dishwasher and the washing machine. Water has nowhere to go.
Protect the area
Move valuables off the floor, lay towels at the edge of the water and photograph the damage for your insurer.
Call the 24/7 line
Tell the dispatcher your address, ZIP code and what you see. Mention if sewage is involved or if the gas smells.
If you smell gas
A gas leak is never a plumber-first call.
- Leave the building at once and do not turn lights or appliances on or off.
- Call 911 from outside, then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
- Wait for the utility to clear the building before you call us for repairs.
Emergencies we see in Los Gatos
| Emergency | What is going on | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Backed-up sink, tub or toilet | Clog in a fixture line or the main | Drain cleaning. |
| Sewage in the yard or drains | Damaged or blocked lateral | Sewer line repair. |
| Cold showers or a leaking tank | Failed water heater | Water heater repair. |
| Water through a ceiling or wall | Burst or leaking supply line | Burst pipe repair. |
| A water bill that keeps rising | Hidden leak | Leak detection. |
| A toilet that overflows | Clog or failed valve | Toilet repair. |
Housing in Los Gatos and what it means for your pipes
Downtown Los Gatos holds some of the oldest buildings in the Town. Older properties may have galvanized steel supply lines, clay or cast iron drains and original shutoff valves that have not been turned in decades. When one of them fails, you want a plumber who knows to bring fittings for older pipe and who will not force a valve that may break.
The foothill neighborhoods grew in the decades after the war, and they carry their own concerns. Houses on hillsides sit above the sewer main, so gravity is on your side, but long laterals under mature trees pick up roots. Lines that run downhill from a high main can also see high water pressure, which strains fixtures and joints. A pressure gauge on a hose bib tells you what your house sees.
Los Gatos Creek runs through the Town beside Highway 17, and Vasona Park and Oak Meadow Park sit near the center. Homes near the creek corridor have lower lots and, in a wet winter, may see more groundwater around foundations and buried lines. A camera inspection helps locate trouble before it becomes an emergency. See sewer camera inspection for how that works.
Sewer, water and who is responsible
According to the Santa Clara County LAFCO service review, West Valley Sanitation District provides sewer collection to the Town of Los Gatos, along with Campbell, Monte Sereno and part of Saratoga. If a backup involves the public main, the district is the agency to call. A camera run from your cleanout shows whether the blockage is on your side of the connection.
San Jose Water manages the Los Gatos Creek and Saratoga Creek watersheds, according to its water quality report. Ask the Town of Los Gatos Building Division about permits for water heater replacements, repiping and sewer lateral work at your address, since requirements depend on the project.
Backup on your side of the line
- Only your house is affected.
- Several fixtures drain badly together.
- A cleanout cable restores flow.
- A camera shows cracks, roots or sags.
Backup in the public main
- Neighbors have backups at the same time.
- Sewage surfaces in more than one home.
- The blockage sits beyond your connection.
- The sanitation district needs to be called.
Plumbing emergency in Los Gatos?
Call the 24/7 line. Give your address and ZIP, and say what you see.
Which part of Los Gatos do you serve?
We cover the Town of Los Gatos, including the 95030 ZIP code around downtown, 95032 toward Highway 9 and the Saratoga side, and 95033 in the hills toward the mountains. We also reach Monte Sereno and Campbell (95008). The map shows the area. If your street is close to the edge, call and the dispatcher will confirm.
Our main service area is Saratoga, 95070, and the same crews respond across the foothills. The pages below cover the services our Los Gatos customers use most. For a planned job, like a new water heater or a camera inspection, use water heater replacement or sewer inspection.
Los Gatos Plumbing Questions
Yes. The line is answered 24 hours a day, every day, including holidays. Give the dispatcher your address, ZIP code and what you see.
We serve 95030, 95032 and 95033 in Los Gatos, along with nearby Monte Sereno and Campbell. If you are on the edge of those areas, call and we will confirm.
West Valley Sanitation District provides sewer collection to the Town of Los Gatos, according to the Santa Clara County LAFCO service review. A camera run tells us if a blockage is yours or the district's.
Yes. Older properties may have galvanized supply lines, clay or cast iron drains and old shutoff valves. We plan for that and explain the options before we start.
Often, if the right unit is in stock. Describe your current heater when you call. Seismic strapping is required by California Health and Safety Code section 19211.
Many projects, including water heater replacement and sewer lateral work, need one. Ask the Town of Los Gatos Building Division about your address. We pull permits where required.
Repeated leaks, rusty water and low pressure at every fixture are common signs. See our repiping page or call for an assessment.
The work is the same. Los Gatos has more hillside lots and older downtown buildings, so we ask about pipe age and access when you call.