Business Details
28 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Plumbing & Sewer Solutions in Oakland, CA
Since 1998, Pipe Spy has been a trusted provider of trenchless sewer line repair and replacement services in Oakland and the East Bay. Our team combines advanced engineering techniques with decades of hands-on experience to deliver durable, cost-effective solutions for residential and commercial properties. We specialize in minimizing property disruption through innovative trenchless technology while maintaining full compliance with local regulations. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our Diamond Certified status, Better Business Bureau A+ rating, and 100% satisfaction guarantee. With a fleet of specialized equipment and a staff of licensed professionals, we handle everything from routine maintenance to complex sewer system replacements.Our engineers and plumbers work collaboratively to solve challenging underground infrastructure issues, ensuring long-term reliability for our clients. We maintain transparent pricing structures and provide comprehensive documentation for every project. Through annual sewer maintenance programs and 24-hour emergency response capabilities, we help property owners prevent costly failures. Our team's expertise extends to EBMUD compliance certification, commercial plumbing systems, and water service upgrades. By continuously refining our trenchless methodologies, we've established industry benchmarks for efficiency and quality in underground pipe replacement.
Services
Trenchless Sewer Repair
Sewer Camera Inspection
Sewer Lateral Replacement
Residential Plumbing Services
Commercial Plumbing Services
Sewer Line Maintenance
Emergency Sewer Repair
EBMUD Compliance Assistance
Water Line Upgrades
Grease Interceptor Installation
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of specialized trenchless sewer expertise
- Licensed for General Engineering and Plumbing (CA #754966)
- Pioneered trenchless technology adoption in the Bay Area
- 100% satisfaction guarantee on all sewer projects
- Maintain EBMUD compliance certification for property sales
Associations and certifications
- Diamond Certified
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) A+
What people say
Exceptional experience
Completed on time
Restored to better-than-before
Professional and courteous
No hesitation in recommending
Services
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair
Our trenchless sewer repair method replaces damaged pipes without extensive excavation. Using specialized bursting technology, we install high-density polyethylene pipes that last over 100 years. This minimally invasive approach preserves landscaping while fixing cracks, root intrusions, and pipe collapses. The process typically completes in one day with minimal property disruption.
Sewer Camera Inspection
We conduct comprehensive sewer diagnostics using high-resolution camera systems. The inspection identifies blockages, cracks, and root intrusions through real-time video analysis. Our technicians provide recorded documentation with professional commentary for compliance purposes. This non-invasive method costs $200 and helps determine optimal repair strategies without unnecessary digging.
Sewer Lateral Replacement
We specialize in full sewer lateral replacements meeting EBMUD compliance standards. Our trenchless method maintains proper pipe grading while replacing aging clay or cast iron pipes. The process includes permit acquisition, pressure testing, and final compliance certification. We handle both upper and lower lateral sections according to local jurisdiction requirements.
Commercial Plumbing Services
Our commercial division handles large-scale sewer diagnostics and repairs for businesses. We install EBMUD-approved grease interceptors and maintain storm drainage systems. Services include after-hours work coordination and temporary bypass pump systems for continuous operations. We provide compliance documentation for property sales and major renovations.
Residential Plumbing Services
We offer comprehensive residential plumbing solutions including water line upgrades and drain maintenance. Our team replaces outdated " steel supply lines with modern systems that improve water pressure. We handle interior plumbing changes during home remodels and provide emergency repair services for urgent sewer backups.
People
Heiko Dzierzon
Co-founder and Owner
Established Pipe Spy in 1998 with extensive plumbing engineering experience. Drives company innovation while maintaining community-focused service standards. Holds California General Engineering and Plumbing licenses.
Manuel Madrid
Co-owner and VP of Operations
Brings 20+ years of plumbing expertise to operational leadership. Oversees technical execution of complex sewer projects. Maintains quality control across all trenchless replacement operations.
Jordan Richards
Director of Operations
Manages daily operations with focus on service efficiency. Implements process improvements that reduce project timelines by 30%. Ensures compliance with municipal sewer regulations.
Alex Buna
Office Manager
Coordinates project scheduling and client communications. Maintains administrative systems that support 100+ weekly service calls. Ensures documentation accuracy for compliance certifications.
Sonny Barajas
Estimator
Provides accurate project cost assessments with 16 years of field experience. Explains technical requirements clearly to residential and commercial clients. Maintains updated knowledge of material pricing trends.
Questions
What is trenchless sewer line replacement?
Trenchless replacement installs new sewer pipes through small access points without extensive excavation, preserving landscaping and reducing project time by up to 50% compared to traditional methods.
How much does sewer lateral replacement cost?
Costs vary based on pipe length, depth, and site conditions. We provide transparent estimates including permits and compliance testing with no hidden fees.
What is EBMUD compliance?
EBMUD requires sewer lateral compliance certificates for property sales and major renovations. We handle inspections, repairs, and certification to meet East Bay water district requirements.
Do you offer emergency sewer services?
Yes, we provide 24-hour emergency response for sewer backups and pipe failures with rapid diagnosis and repair capabilities to minimize property damage.
Can trenchless methods fix all sewer issues?
Most issues qualify for trenchless repair, except severe pipe collapses requiring traditional excavation. Our camera inspections determine the optimal solution during initial assessments.
Are you licensed for plumbing work?
Pipe Spy holds California General Engineering (Class A) and Plumbing (Class C36) licenses (#754966), ensuring qualified execution of all residential and commercial plumbing projects.
Reviews (5)
Solana Diaz
Oct 31, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Heiko and his team were amazing! A+++++++ Super punctual and professional.
Services:Sewer repair,Pipe repair
Heiko and his team were amazing! A+++++++ Super punctual and professional.
Services:Sewer repair,Pipe repair
Andrea L.
Oct 22, 2021
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Old clay pipes, broken years ago (maple tree roots, the likely culprit), sewage seeping into the ground under the street ... not pretty when the rains came and we couldn't run the washing machine and take a shower on the same day for fear of runoff backing up into our shower. Pipe Spy to the rescue (although they're busy -- a big job like this doesn't happen quickly) and here we are in our first full rain of the year and all systems are GO! Heiko and his team were always clean, polite, cooperative, and responsive. They did a GREAT job rerouting the traffic on our busy street during
Patrick R.
Sep 14, 2021
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I called today to request information regarding cement work and was glad that Lindsay answered the phone. She was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and helpful in getting the ball rolling in the right direction. Thank you Lindsay, you're the best!
Todd B.
Sep 02, 2021
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Pipe Spy does not provide required 24 hrs notice on street for necessary car removal to access main sewer line,
Although working on Perkins Street, Oakland all week from 8/30 - 9/3/21 the crew simply moved No Parking sidewalk signs an hour before work began each day to the necessary location.
Neighbors spoke to "crew supervisor" along with his support staff requesting prior days notice so they could comply. His response was "not my job".
Although working on Perkins Street, Oakland all week from 8/30 - 9/3/21 the crew simply moved No Parking sidewalk signs an hour before work began each day to the necessary location.
Neighbors spoke to "crew supervisor" along with his support staff requesting prior days notice so they could comply. His response was "not my job".
John G.
Aug 02, 2021
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Our 117-year-old house has complicated sewer laterals to the main house, the cottage, and the spa. Paul Cooper and his crew were prompt, thorough, and highly professional to map and analyze our system, find a lateral clogged by roots, clear the problem, and give us guidance about how to maintain our system and anticipate future problems.
