For a La Mesa plumbing emergency, close the main shutoff to stop water from spreading; if you smell gas, get out and call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in La Mesa.
Signs to act on now
- A pipe, hose or valve spraying or dripping steadily
- Drywall or ceiling stains that grow while you watch
- Sewage coming up through a tub or shower, or a toilet that overflows when another fixture drains
- A wet floor around the water heater
- A gas odor near an appliance or the meter
Small drips and one slow sink can wait for a regular appointment. Moving water, waste water and gas cannot.
Why La Mesa homes fail the way they do
La Mesa's housing is among the older stock in East County, with a median build year of 1970. Plenty of homes still carry original-era supply lines, drain pipes and shutoff valves, and when those finally go, it is often a valve that won't close or a fitting that splits under pressure.
Helix Water District supplies the city from the R.M. Levy plant in Lakeside, and its treated water averages about 12 grains per gallon of hardness. That scale coats water heater tanks and valve seats over time. Helix disinfects with chloramines, and its number is 619-466-0585 for meter or street problems.
The City of La Mesa owns the sewer collection system, about 165 miles of gravity mains, with flows going to the City of San Diego's Metropolitan Wastewater System. The City maintains the city-maintained portions of laterals, but the private lateral is the owner's to keep up, so a backup inside one house is usually plumber work. SDG&E is the gas utility.
What changes the price
- Time of the call. Nights, weekends and holidays usually cost more.
- Age of the piping. In an older home, the plumber may find that the valve or pipe beside the leak is just as worn.
- Access. Pipes behind tile, under a slab or in a crawl space take more time to reach.
- Permits. La Mesa requires a permit to replace a water heater, and a plumbing permit may be needed for any addition or change to an existing system.
What to expect on the phone
You'll be connected with an independent plumber who takes urgent work in La Mesa. Have the address ready with a nearby road such as University Avenue, Lake Murray Boulevard or Fletcher Drive, and say whether the main is closed. Ask how after-hours pricing works before you book. How quickly someone arrives depends on the time and the plumber's workload, so no arrival time is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in La Mesa
If the water heater has to be replaced tonight, is a permit involved?
How can I tell whether a sewer backup is the public main or my own lateral?
Every tap in the house went dry at once. Is that my plumbing or the water provider?
What information should I have ready when I call?
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