Earl's Plumbing is the local Chico plumbing company at 220 Sellers Way, serving Chico and nearby Butte County communities since 1998. We handle drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, leak detection, sewer line issues, septic service, well pumps, repipes, gas lines, and water filtration.
We're not a franchise and we're not a call center. Earl's is a local plumbing company with a real Chico office, local technicians, and decades of experience with the problems common to homes in this area: root-filled sewer lines, slab leaks, aging galvanized pipe, worn water heaters, rural well pumps, and mineral buildup from moderately hard water.
We send a technician to look at the problem and give you a straight price — at no charge, no obligation. You approve it or you don't. Either way, the visit is free.
You shouldn't have to pay just to find out what a repair costs. No dispatch fee, no trip charge — ever. That's always been the way we do it.
Our Chico technicians live and work here. They know the water, the neighborhoods, the types of homes. When you call, you get someone who knows this area — not a dispatch center in another state.
Our technicians explain the repair options and give you pricing before a wrench turns. No surprises on the bill. No mystery charges after the work is done.
Earl's Plumbing serves Chico and nearby Northern California communities from our local office on Sellers Way. This helps keep our Chico technicians close to the neighborhoods, homes, and plumbing issues we work on every week.
Chico has a specific set of plumbing challenges. The soil, the water, the age of the housing stock — after 25+ years here, we know what we're walking into before we open the door.
Much of central and south Chico — including the Barber Neighborhood, Chapmantown, and the Avenues — was built in the 1950s through 1970s on concrete slab foundations. Original copper supply lines run directly under that concrete. Over decades of moderately hard water and soil movement, those pipes develop pinhole leaks that can go undetected for months. Signs include a rising water bill, warm spots on the floor, or the sound of water running when nothing is on. Our leak detection specialists use acoustic equipment to locate the leak without tearing up your floor first.
Chico's mature oak, walnut, and ornamental tree canopy is one of the things that makes this city beautiful. It also makes sewer line problems extremely common. Tree roots are drawn to the moisture and nutrients inside older clay and cast iron sewer pipes, infiltrating through joints and cracks. The result is slow drains, backups, and — if left alone — complete line failure. A sewer camera inspection shows exactly what's happening, and hydro jetting clears roots without digging when caught early enough.
Chico's municipal water averages about 122 ppm hardness, which falls into the moderately hard range. That means the water carries enough dissolved calcium and magnesium to leave scale on fixtures, build sediment inside water heaters, and gradually reduce flow through showerheads and aerators. For many Chico homeowners, the first signs are white buildup around faucets, cloudy spots on glassware, rumbling from the water heater, or hot water that does not last as long as it used to. A water softener or reverse osmosis system may help protect fixtures, appliances, and water-using equipment depending on the home's plumbing and water-use needs.
Homes built before 1970 in Chico were typically plumbed with galvanized steel supply lines. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside out — steadily reducing water pressure and eventually failing. If you're noticing low pressure at multiple fixtures, discolored water, or frequent leaks at fittings, galvanized pipe is likely the cause. A full house repipe to copper or PEX eliminates the problem permanently and is often more cost-effective than ongoing spot repairs.
Properties outside Chico's city water system — in Forest Ranch, Magalia, along Cohasset Road, and in rural Butte County — rely on private wells and submersible pumps. No water, low pressure, or a pump that short-cycles or runs constantly are all signs something is wrong. Our well pump technicians diagnose the issue and give you options before the work starts. Devin K. has been handling well pump calls across this service area for years.
Chico's moderately hard water can leave mineral sediment at the bottom of tank water heaters. Over time, that sediment makes the heater work harder, can create rumbling or popping sounds, and may shorten the life of the unit. If your water heater is leaking, running out of hot water quickly, making noise, or more than 8 to 12 years old, our Chico office can inspect it and give you repair and replacement options before any work begins.
Every week, our Chico team sees the same patterns: older homes with aging pipes, sewer lines fighting tree roots, water heaters struggling with mineral buildup, and rural properties dealing with well pump problems.
A Chico homeowner called Earl's after noticing signs of a hidden plumbing leak. Our technician located the issue, explained the repair options, and completed the pipe repair after leak detection. Calls like this are common in older Chico homes where leaks can show up under floors, behind walls, in buried pipes in the yard, or in crawl spaces.
When a Chico customer lost hot water, our technician inspected the unit, reviewed the repair and replacement options, and helped get hot water restored quickly. Mineral buildup, age, leaking tanks, failed gas controls, and worn parts are some of the most common reasons Chico homeowners call us for water heater service.
Slow drains, recurring backups, and sewer line issues are common in Chico neighborhoods with mature trees and older sewer lines. Our technicians can clear the line, perform a sewer camera inspection when needed, and explain whether the issue looks like a simple stoppage, root intrusion, pipe damage, or a larger sewer repair.
From quick fixture repairs to larger sewer, water heater, septic, repipe, and well pump jobs, our Chico office handles residential and commercial plumbing throughout Chico and nearby Butte County communities. Every visit starts with a free quote and upfront options before work begins.
Clogged sinks, slow drains, main line backups, and sewer stoppages — cleared fast.
No hot water, leaking tank, or pilot issues — repair or replacement with upfront pricing.
Noritz-certified installation. Endless hot water, lower energy bills, available lifetime warranty.
Electronic leak detection — we find it before we dig. Fast, non-invasive, and accurate.
High-pressure water blasts roots, grease, and scale from your sewer lines completely clean.
Replace failing galvanized or copper with PEX. Restore pressure and eliminate recurring leaks.
No water from your well? Low pressure, short cycling, or pump failure — we diagnose and fix it.
Septic pumping, tank repairs, leach field issues, and system inspections for rural properties.
Water softeners, reverse osmosis, and whole-home filtration for Chico's moderately hard water.
Suspected gas leak or new appliance installation — licensed gas line work done safely.
See exactly what's happening in your sewer line before committing to any repair.
Running, rocking, leaking, or won't flush — same-day repair or replacement.
For urgent plumbing problems in Chico, call the office instead of waiting on an online form. Burst pipes, major leaks, sewer backups, active flooding, and whole-home hot water issues need a faster review so our team can dispatch appropriately and help protect the home.
Slow drains and main line backups are common in Chico homes, especially in older neighborhoods with mature trees and older sewer lines. Earl's Plumbing clears kitchen drains, bathroom drains, sewer stoppages, and recurring backups from our Chico office. If the problem keeps coming back, we can inspect the line and explain whether roots, pipe damage, grease, or buildup are causing the issue.
No hot water, rumbling tanks, leaks, pilot issues, and aging units are some of the most common reasons Chico homeowners call us. Our technician can inspect the water heater, explain whether repair or replacement makes sense, and provide a free quote before work begins.
Unexplained water bills, warm spots on floors, musty smells, and the sound of running water can point to a hidden leak. In Chico homes with older piping or slab foundations, leak detection helps narrow down the problem before unnecessary cutting, digging, or demolition.
"Working with Earl's on a leak in our home's crawl space was one of the BEST service experiences we've ever had! Everyone was so professional — from the person we initially called to our technician Travis. He was on time, friendly, professional, and eager to get the job done."
"I have used Earl's Plumbing multiple times. They always show up on time, explain everything clearly, and the price matches what they quoted. No surprises, no games. Donny has been great every single time."
"Called in the morning about a water heater that had stopped working. Phil was at my house by noon, explained my options honestly, and had it replaced the same day. I won't use anyone else in Chico."
When you call our Chico office, these are the technicians who show up — local people who know Butte County plumbing inside and out.
Leak Detection Specialist · CSLB HIS License
Travis is Earl's go-to for leak detection in Chico and surrounding areas — electronic listening equipment, pressure testing, and slab leak diagnosis done right.
Plumbing Technician · CSLB HIS License
Phil handles everything from drain cleaning and toilet repairs to water heater installations throughout Chico — reliable, thorough, and great with homeowners.
Plumbing Technician · CSLB HIS License
Donny brings years of Chico plumbing experience to every job — from routine drain clearing to complex repipes. Homeowners ask for him by name.
Our Chico plumbers serve homes and businesses throughout the Avenues, Barber Neighborhood, Chapmantown, Meriam Park, Little Chico Creek, South Chico, Doe Mill, California Park, Amber Grove, and nearby Butte County communities. Older Chico neighborhoods often bring older piping, root-heavy sewer lines, and worn shutoff valves, while newer areas still run into water heater, fixture, drain, and filtration issues.
Our Chico team serves Butte County and surrounding Northern California communities. Not sure if you're in our range? Call and we'll confirm.
Pick a time that works for you. No service call fee. We confirm same day on most requests.
Plumbing emergency? Don't wait for the scheduler — call us directly at (530) 343-0330 to speak with a live person any time, 24/7.
Real questions Chico homeowners ask before calling a plumber — answered directly.
Yes. Earl's Plumbing has served Chico and Butte County since 1998 from our local office at 220 Sellers Way, Chico, CA 95928. We provide drain cleaning, water heater repair, slab leak detection, well pump service, septic repair, and 24-hour emergency plumbing throughout Chico and surrounding communities. Call our Chico office at (530) 343-0330 or schedule a free quote online at earlsplumbing.net.
No. Earl's Plumbing does not charge a service call fee in Chico. We send an Earl's Plumbing technician working under our company CSLB license to your home, inspect the problem, and give you a free upfront quote at no charge. If you approve the quote, we get started. If you don't, you owe nothing for the visit. That's the way I've always done it — you shouldn't have to pay just to find out what something costs. Call (530) 343-0330 to schedule.
Yes. Earl's Plumbing has live phone answering 24/7 for urgent plumbing problems in Chico, including burst pipes, major leaks, sewer backups, flooding, and whole-home hot water issues. For emergencies, call (530) 343-0330 instead of using the online scheduler so we can review the situation and dispatch appropriately.
If a pipe bursts, shut off the water at the nearest shutoff valve or at the main shutoff if you can do so safely. If your sewer backs up, stop using water in the home and avoid running sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, or dishwashers until the line is inspected. For urgent plumbing problems in Chico, call Earl's Plumbing directly at (530) 343-0330 so a live person can review the situation and dispatch appropriately.
The best plumber in Chico depends on what you need, but homeowners should look for a licensed local company with strong reviews, clear pricing, emergency availability, and experience with Chico's common plumbing issues. Earl's Plumbing has served Chico and Butte County since 1998, is licensed under CSLB #772565, has a 4.8-star average from more than 4,700 Google reviews, and provides free quotes with no service call fee. Call (530) 343-0330 or schedule online.
The most common plumbing problems in Chico, CA include slab leaks in older homes built on concrete slab foundations, tree root intrusion in sewer lines from the city's mature oak and walnut canopy, moderately hard water mineral buildup inside water heaters and fixtures, galvanized supply line failure in pre-1970 homes, clogged drains, and well pump issues in rural areas outside city water service like Forest Ranch and Magalia.
Signs of a slab leak in a Chico home include an unexplained spike in your water bill, the sound of running water when all fixtures are off, warm or damp spots on your floor or carpet, visible cracks in flooring or baseboards, low water pressure throughout the house, or a musty odor. Many Chico homes from the 1950s through 1970s have original copper lines under the slab that are susceptible to corrosion. If you suspect a slab leak, call a plumber before the damage spreads.
Plumbing costs in Chico, CA vary depending on the type and complexity of the repair — a drain cleaning costs significantly less than a slab leak repair or a full house repipe. The best way to get an accurate price is to call a local Chico plumber for a free in-home quote so you know the exact cost before any work begins. Earl's Plumbing provides free quotes with no service call fee. Call (530) 343-0330 for pricing on your specific job.
Yes. Chico's municipal water averages about 122 ppm hardness, which is considered moderately hard. Over time, dissolved calcium and magnesium can leave scale on fixtures, create sediment inside water heaters, reduce flow through showerheads and aerators, and contribute to buildup in water-using appliances. If you notice white crust around fixtures, cloudy glassware, rumbling from the water heater, or poor hot water performance, Earl's Plumbing can check whether filtration, softening, flushing, or repair makes sense.
Yes. If you're searching for a plumber near me in Chico or Butte County, Earl's Plumbing has a local office at 220 Sellers Way in Chico and a live person answering the phone around the clock. For urgent plumbing problems — burst pipes, sewer backups, flooding, major leaks, or whole-home hot water issues — call (530) 343-0330 instead of using the online scheduler so we can review the situation and dispatch appropriately.
Yes. Earl's Plumbing offers financing options for qualified customers in Chico on approved credit. Financing is available for larger projects such as whole-home repiping, water heater replacement, tankless water heater installation, and slab leak repair. Ask your technician about financing when they provide your free quote, or call our Chico office at (530) 343-0330 for details. You can also visit earlsplumbing.net/financing to learn about current financing options.
