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Able To Plumbing vs Pro Rooter
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with decades of experience and full insurance coverage, but Able To Plumbing shows stronger customer relationships while Pro Rooter brings additional sewer infrastructure experience.
| Able To Plumbing | Pro Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.1 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 34 years |
| License # | 838521 | 636652 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | prorooterinc.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize the relationship experience with Able To Plumbing, highlighting same-day responsiveness, thorough explanations before work begins, and honest diagnostics that build trust over decades-long repeat business.
Pro Rooter
Customers focus on Pro Rooter's technical efficiency and project completion speed, particularly noting their camera inspection capabilities and ability to finish substantial pipe replacement work within single days.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing's reviews center on communication quality and long-term customer loyalty, while Pro Rooter's reviews emphasize operational efficiency and infrastructure project capabilities, suggesting different strengths for relationship-focused versus task-focused service needs.
Customer Reviews
Able To Plumbing
Travis installed my Bradford White water heater several years ago and just replaced the anode rod. Im very pleased with the service and highly recommend.
Love Travis and Courtney!!! They are awesome!!! I've been using them for 20+ years! Kind and honest!!!
After the recent earthquake swarms in San Ramon, I contacted Able To Plumbing & Rooter in Livermore to evaluate and ensure the safety of our natural gas lines in the backyard. It was a pleasure workin...
Pro Rooter
Richard is the best!! The Pro Rooter team has helped me many times over the years, and Richard has been wonderful. Thank you!!!'
I read a few negative reviews and figured I would chime in. I work for a local organization that uses vendors to support 35 houses in alameda county. Pro rooter is actually one of the most reliable an...
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Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're facing a residential plumbing issue requiring diagnosis and want a contractor who will take time to explain the problem and options before starting work, particularly if you're concerned about being oversold unnecessary repairs
- ✓ Same-day or urgent response matters for your situation, as Able To Plumbing has demonstrated consistent availability for emergency service calls
- ✓ You value working with a family-owned business where owner involvement is high and you're likely to see the same team on return visits
- ✓ Your project involves water heaters, fixture installations, gas line evaluations, or seismic shutoff valves rather than major sewer line work
Consider Pro Rooter if...
- ✓ Your project involves sewer line issues where camera inspection technology is necessary to properly diagnose problems before digging
- ✓ You need substantial pipe replacement completed quickly, as Pro Rooter has demonstrated ability to finish major underground projects within single-day timeframes
- ✓ Your property requires coordination with water districts or city inspectors for infrastructure work, which Pro Rooter has experience navigating
- ✓ The 12 additional years of licensing history provides added confidence for complex diagnostics on older plumbing systems with potential hidden complications
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Able To Plumbing whether they maintain camera inspection equipment for sewer diagnostics if your issue involves underground lines, as this capability is not mentioned in their project history
- → Ask Pro Rooter about their approach to customer communication and project explanation, specifically whether you'll receive detailed options and pricing before work begins
- → For either company, ask for references from projects similar to yours in scope and complexity to confirm their experience matches your specific need
The Bottom Line
Both contractors meet essential credentialing standards with veteran experience and full insurance coverage, so your choice should align with your specific project needs. For residential repairs, fixture work, water heaters, and gas line services where same-day response and detailed customer communication matter most, Able To Plumbing's track record of long-term customer relationships and honest diagnostics makes them the stronger choice for most homeowners. If your project involves sewer line diagnosis requiring camera inspection or substantial underground pipe replacement where speed and infrastructure experience are priorities, Pro Rooter's specialized capabilities justify their selection despite less emphasis on customer service details. Contact Able To Plumbing first unless you specifically need sewer infrastructure work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For routine fixture repairs or water heater replacement, both have more than sufficient experience—22 years versus 34 years both qualify as veteran-level. The experience difference becomes relevant if you're dealing with an older home where diagnosing hidden problems or understanding outdated plumbing systems matters, where Pro Rooter's additional decade could provide broader pattern recognition. For straightforward projects, focus instead on communication style and responsiveness.
Pro Rooter has demonstrated specific experience with camera inspections for sewer diagnostics and substantial pipe replacement projects, making them the stronger choice if your issue involves underground lines requiring investigation. Able To Plumbing handles mainline leak repairs but doesn't emphasize camera technology in their customer feedback. If your problem is uncertain and potentially involves the sewer main, start with Pro Rooter's diagnostic capabilities.
The 10-20 year customer relationships at Able To Plumbing signal consistent quality and service that keeps people coming back, which matters significantly if you want a long-term plumbing resource you can trust for future issues. Pro Rooter's efficiency focus serves you well for getting disruptive projects completed quickly. If you're establishing a new plumber relationship for ongoing needs, Able To Plumbing's retention pattern is meaningful. If you need a specific sewer project done fast, Pro Rooter's single-day completion record is more relevant.
Both serve Alameda County, but Able To Plumbing specifically emphasizes the Tri-Valley area including Livermore, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek, while Pro Rooter operates from San Leandro throughout the broader county. If you're in the Tri-Valley, Able To Plumbing is locally focused on your area. If you're in central or north Alameda County, Pro Rooter may have shorter response times from their San Leandro base.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Alameda.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 10, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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