Rough Plumbing Experts in San Francisco & Bay Area – Heidi’s House Construction
At Heidi’s House Construction, we take pride in delivering precise, code-compliant rough plumbing installations that form the backbone of every successful remodel or new build in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Our licensed, bonded, and insured team brings decades of hands-on experience working with cast iron, ABS, copper, PEX, and steel piping systems in residential and commercial environments. From complex multi-story drain, waste, and vent (DWV) configurations to hot- and cold-water distribution layouts, every installation is executed with accuracy, durability, and attention to detail. Whether it’s a full-home renovation, ADU conversion, or bathroom upgrade, we ensure every pipe, fitting, and valve is thoughtfully positioned before the walls are closed — setting the stage for leak-free performance and long-term reliability.
Our rough plumbing portfolio showcases the skill, craftsmanship, and coordination that go into each stage of construction across San Francisco neighborhoods such as Pacific Heights, Richmond District, Sunset, and Noe Valley, as well as throughout the greater Bay Area. Each portfolio photo below showcases our commitment to quality — from meticulously planned water and waste layouts that complement structural integrity and your plumbing portfolio. Whether collaborating with general and sub contractors, architects, or homeowners directly, our team provides transparent communication, clean job sites, and superior workmanship that exceeds both California and San Francisco plumbing code standards.
Explore our recent rough plumbing projects throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. Each image is paired with a brief description detailing the scope of work, materials used, and unique challenges solved. From high-efficiency system layouts to complex remodels in historic buildings, these examples illustrate why Heidi’s House Construction is trusted by homeowners and builders alike for dependable, high-quality plumbing installations.
Groundwork Plumbing – San Francisco & Bay Area Foundation Rough-Ins
Our groundwork plumbing installations lay the foundation for every successful project in San Francisco and the Bay Area. From trenching and pipe layout to setting drain, waste, and vent (DWV) lines before slab pour, every detail is carefully planned to meet California Plumbing Code requirements. We coordinate closely with general contractors and inspectors to ensure all under-slab piping is perfectly sloped, tested, and ready for long-term performance — whether serving a new ADU, a multi-bath renovation, or a full-home rebuild.
Under-slab ABS combined DWV and storm drain system installed before foundation pour, providing drain, waste, and vent (DWV) and storm drain service for a multi-story San Francisco remodel. Our crew ensured precise alignment and slope through the sand trenches.
Combined DWV and storm drainage system tied into a city lateral, illustrating how our groundwork plumbing integrates with San Francisco’s combined sewer infrastructure for reliable flow management.
Rough-in plumbing for a commercial ADA-compliant bathroom in San Francisco, featuring properly sloped ABS drain, waste, and vent lines with horizontal venting for balanced air flow. Each fixture drain is aligned and secured in place per California Plumbing Code standards.
Floor drain assembly with integrated backflow preventer and trap primer line installed below grade. This setup protects San Francisco homes from sewer backup while maintaining a primed trap to prevent odors.
Example of a floor drain rough-in with a horizontal vent connection and trap primer for continuous seal protection. This code-compliant configuration ensures both safety and reliability in shallow below-slab drainage systems.
Shower trap and vent rough-in installation with horizontal venting designed for optimal drainage and vent balance. This precision layout ensures compliance with San Francisco plumbing codes for residential remodels.
Rough-in for a toilet with horizontal venting and cleanout access for future maintenance. Installed with precision slope and coupling transitions to meet the San Francisco Plumbing Code’s DWV standards.
Crawl Space Plumbing – Expert DWV & Water Line Installations
Many San Francisco homes feature crawl spaces that demand careful planning and precision. Our team specializes in installing ABS or cast iron DWV systems and PEX or copper water lines within tight, often uneven conditions found under older homes. Every connection, hanger, and support is inspected for alignment and accessibility, ensuring the system remains secure and serviceable for decades. Our clean, code-compliant crawl space work reflects the craftsmanship and professionalism that define Heidi’s House Construction.
Tight crawl space? You bet. This San Francisco ADU rough-in required equal parts flexibility and patience just to get the shot! Shown here is a compact cast-iron wet-vent system for a toilet and shower, carefully strapped and sloped to meet city plumbing code in a space that barely fit the camera.
Top-Out Plumbing – Precision Above-Floor Rough-In Systems
Once the groundwork is complete, our top-out plumbing ensures that every fixture is connected with accuracy and efficiency. We handle the full scope of above-floor rough-ins — vent stacks, risers, water distribution, and fixture stub-outs — all laid out to exact dimensions for seamless finish plumbing. From multi-story remodels in Pacific Heights to kitchen and bath renovations in the Sunset District, our top-out installations are built to perform, inspected to code, and organized for easy future access.
This new construction wet wall showcases the top-out plumbing for a Duravit wall-hung carrier system paired with a double lavatory stub-out. The cast iron and PEX system was installed with precise alignment and spacing, ensuring long-term strength, quiet operation, and perfectly smooth wall finishes after drywall installation.
Dual-lavatory rough-in using a combination of cast iron drainage and PEX supply lines. This top-out ties into an existing waste and vent stack, balancing modern materials with legacy infrastructure common in San Francisco’s older homes.
Copper water and DWV rough-in for a new ADU bathroom wet wall in San Francisco. Hot and cold supplies are routed neatly beside the drain, waste, and vent (DWV) lines — ensuring clean layout, easy inspection, and long-term reliability in tight ADU framing.
Top-out plumbing for a commercial ADA-compliant bathroom in San Francisco, featuring properly sloped ABS drain, waste, and vent lines with horizontal venting for balanced air flow. Each fixture drain is aligned and strapped per California Plumbing Code standards.
Waste and storm drain stacks, overflow, and powder room rough-in within a multi-story San Francisco home. Each stack, vent, and drain has been carefully laid out and strategically positioned to ensure optimal performance, code compliance, and long-term usability.
Clean and compact laundry wall rough-in featuring ABS drain and vent piping with PEX water supply lines. The recessed box design ensures a flush finish once appliances are installed — a hallmark of organized, code-compliant top-out work in San Francisco remodels.
Compact powder room top-out featuring a wall-mounted Duravit toilet carrier system, lavatory, vents, and adjacent laundry with PEX water lines. The clean DWV and water layout showcase Heidi’s House's precision craftsmanship.
Island sink rough-in featuring underfloor venting and PEX water lines integrated through the island wall framing. Designed for an open-concept kitchen in San Francisco and the Bay Area, this installation provides optimal functionality while maintaining perfect slope and alignment for code compliance.
Relocation of the toilet and shower showcasing cast iron waste piping with PEX water supply lines. Each trap arm and vent was installed in accordance with San Francisco plumbing code requirements, ensuring optimal drainage performance and clean fixture connections at completion.
Tub & Shower Valve Installations – Clean, Code-Compliant Rough-In Work
A flawless bathroom starts with a precisely installed tub and shower valve. Our plumbers ensure each rough-in meets manufacturer specifications and aligns perfectly with tile, trim, and finished surfaces. Whether you’re installing a single-handle pressure-balance valve or a luxury thermostatic system, we guarantee accurate depth, secure support, and watertight performance. Our portfolio showcases valve installations across San Francisco’s historic and modern homes, each one completed with the precision expected from a licensed professional.
Hansgrohe iBox tub and shower valve and diverter rough-in, utilizing PEX Type A supply lines for installation and long-term durability. The diverter configuration supports both tub, wand, and shower outlets, framed for precise tile depth and a clean, modern finish.
Hansgrohe iBox tub valve with a three-way diverter rough-in installed with PEX hot and cold supplies. Meticulously leveled and secured, the valve body is set to achieve an exact wall finish depth and ensure seamless trim alignment.
A Hansgrohe iBox tub valve rough-in installed with insulated PEX hot and cold supplies. Meticulously leveled and secured, the valve body is set for exact wall finish depth and seamless trim alignment.
This Delta shower valve system features an integrated two-outlet diverter and pressure-balancing cartridge, ensuring a consistent water temperature and allowing for the selection of either a shower head or wand. Heidi’s House Construction installed it to exact depth specifications, ensuring smooth trim installation and long-term leak-free performance.
A cleanly framed Delta shower valve with a two-way diverter rough-in featuring insulated PEX hot supply lines. Installed with precise depth and alignment, this configuration ensures accurate trim fitment and reliable hot/cold balance once tiled and finished.
Water Main Installations – Reliable City Tie-Ins & Upgrades
We provide water main installations and upgrades that connect homes and buildings to the San Francisco and Bay Area municipal water systems safely and efficiently. Our experienced team handles trenching, pressure testing, and secure tie-ins with precision — whether replacing aging water main pipe, upsizing for new fixtures, or coordinating with SFPUC inspectors. Each installation improves system reliability, pressure, and flow, ensuring your property’s plumbing infrastructure starts strong at the source.
Trenching and installing a new 1-inch copper water main to replace an aging service line. The new copper piping was laid with proper bedding and depth to meet San Francisco city water standards, ensuring clean, consistent water pressure and long-term reliability.
Heat Pump Water Heater Installations – Energy-Efficient Hot Water Solutions
As Bay Area homeowners transition to energy-efficient plumbing systems, heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are at the forefront of this change. Our installation team is trained in proper placement, condensate routing, and venting requirements to maximize performance and lifespan. From replacing traditional gas units to integrating HPWHs into full remodels, we deliver systems that reduce energy consumption and qualify for local rebate programs. Explore our installations to discover how Heidi’s House Construction combines modern efficiency with traditional craftsmanship.
New heat pump water heater installation providing high-efficiency hot water with up to 70% energy savings compared to traditional electric or gas models. Professionally strapped, plumbed in copper, and equipped with an expansion tank, this system meets San Francisco energy code standards while delivering consistent performance and quiet operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What exactly does “rough plumbing” include for a remodel or new build?
A1: Rough plumbing covers the installation of all the primary piping and systems before drywall, tile or finishes go in. This includes drain, waste, and vent (DWV) lines, water supply piping (cold and hot), tie-ins to the municipal system or lateral, proper venting, and fixture stub-outs. At Heidi’s House Construction, we utilize cast iron, ABS, PEX, copper, and steel piping as required, and we position and slope everything precisely to ensure smooth installation of finishes.
Q2: Why is proper slope and venting so important here in the Bay Area?
A2: Proper slope ensures wastewater flows smoothly through the system, reducing the risk of backups or odor issues. Correct venting prevents trap siphoning and maintains system balance. Especially in older San Francisco homes with compact spaces, crawl spaces, or legacy layouts, we must adapt the system while maintaining code compliance and reliability in mind.
Q3: How do you coordinate rough plumbing with structural and other trades?
A3: We work early in coordination with general contractors, structural engineers, architects, and inspectors. For example, under-slab groundwork must be inspected before the pour; top-outs must align with framing, structural components, and fixture and finish layouts; crawlspaces often require special access, hanger supports, and attention to clearance. Coordination is built into our process.
Q4: What piping materials do you use and why?
A4: We are experienced with cast iron, ABS, copper, PEX, and steel systems. Each material has its advantages: cast iron for its durability and sound dampening, ABS for efficient and non-corrosive DWV installations, PEX for its flexibility and contemporary integrations, copper for DWV and water lines when necessary, and steel piping for gas, as required by code. We select the right material for the job, especially given San Francisco’s seismic, retrofit, and historic-home contexts.
Q5: Can you handle tight spaces like crawlspaces in San Francisco homes?
A5: Absolutely. Many Bay Area homes have limited headspace, uneven floor joists, or access challenges. Our team specializes in installing DWV and water lines in tight crawlspaces, ensuring proper support, hanger spacing, alignment, and serviceability. We’ve detailed and photographed these conditions.
Q6: What sets your rough plumbing portfolio apart in San Francisco & the Bay Area?
A6: Over 40 years of plumbing experience. Our portfolio emphasizes precision, code compliance, and coordination across all phases: groundwork (under slab), crawlspace systems, top-out/plumbing for fixtures, full water-main tie-ins, and energy-efficient upgrades. We serve both remodels and new builds, working in neighborhoods such as Pacific Heights, Noe Valley, and the Richmond and Sunset Districts. Each project is thoroughly documented with detailed design descriptions, materials, challenges, solutions, and confirmation that the City and State building standards have been met.
Q7: Do you test the plumbing before the walls go in?
A7: Yes. After the rough-in, we perform the required inspections and tests (air, water pressure tests, leak test, trap test, slope verification, and vent verification) before any finishes are installed. This ensures long-term performance and helps avoid costly re-work once walls are closed. Our focus is on reliability and durability for homes in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
