Elbel Plumbing

Chris O.

My first experience with Elbel was 5 stars. The Friday after the freeze, they sent out a plumber to fix a burst pipe in my garage. He came out in 40 degree weather, found the issue, and fixed it all within 30 minutes. And the total was around $130 which was VERY reasonable considering how everyone was in dire need of a plumber to fix burst pipes. If your issue is a burst pipe or a plumbing issue that you can pinpoint, they will probably do a good job for you.

However, my most recent problem was not as straightforward. I was hearing what sounded like water running through the pipes in the wall of the garage by my water softener, as well as in the wall at the pipe that burst a few months ago. They came out to survey the problem, and almost immediately left the garage and said the leak had to be somewhere in the service line running from the main water valve to where the water comes into the house. I kept asking "OK, but if the leak is waaaaay over here under my lawn, why am I hearing it waaaaay over there in the walls of my garage?" They didn't give me an answer beyond "Sometimes you hear leaks in the hard water line in other hard water pipes."

The only problem is that the ground wasn't wet anywhere in my front yard, so they said they'd have to rip out the bushes along the front of my house and then just "start digging until we find the service line and where it enters the house." When I asked about a less invasive method, they said they could snake electrical fishing tape up the service line to at least see where to dig (they assumed I had PVC pipes, which can't be traced with their equipment, so putting metal up there would allow them to at least see where the pipe meets the house). They quoted me $170/hour, and that it could potentially take 8 hours just to find the leak. So after 8 hours, close to $1,400, and my whole front yard being dug up, the problem wouldn't have even been solved.

Suffice it to say, I called a different plumbing company to come out and hopefully solve the problem, which they did. And my gut instinct was right - the leak wasn't anywhere near the front yard, but rather in a hard water line coming off the hard water manifold in the garage and going to the rear spigot of our house. And the second company didn't charge a service fee (where as Elbel charged me $131 for a service fee and 15 extra minutes of their time, which is utter bs).

So, unless your issue is really straightforward and the water is visible, do not call this company.

Kyle O.

Called during a freeze in San Antonio (w/ snow), as soon as the roads were clear they showed up a bit after dark and had everything fixed and tested within an hour. The plumber (Dirk) was super friendly, talked me through the issue, and answered my follow up questions about the water heater.

Nicole R.

Not trustworthy or responsive, I wouldn't use this company. Parker and Sons a plumbing however did a great job, were honest and professional.

Olivia R.

Called this plumber because they supposedly had good prices. I needed the cartridge replaced in my shower. They were unable to fix it because they said the parts were outdated and they would have to go in and replace the entire thing for $875!!!!!! They also caused a water leak and left the water running because they said it would cost an additional $125 for them to fix a problem they caused!!!! My water was running for 12 days because that's how long it took for my dad to come over and fix the problem. My dad replaced and fixed the cartridge for $70 and come to find out my dad found the spring in my bathtub that they let fall out that caused the leak. I was also charged $79 for them to come to my house to let me know they couldn't fix the problem on top of them causing a problem that they wanted me to pay to fix. I can only imagine what my water bill is going to be. Very bad service!!!

Stacy F.

So I did a bathroom remodel and needed a sink waste line moved for the new vanity. They sent a guy over who didn't even know how to use the water manifold in the garage. Damn that's a scary thought with him being a plumber.
Then he measures wrong and they have to come back out to cut back into my wall to do it a second time. Did they do this quickly? NO. I notified them Monday and they are just now here on Friday doing it. They were supposed to come yesterday, but the woman called at 9 am Thursday and said the plumber had another job and of course I had to wait. Correcting their error was not their priority.

So They are here now and immediately, before trying to correct their mistakes, they try to sell me more plumbing work. REALLY!!!! You screwed up the first job and blew me off for a week in correcting it, but you want to try and bleed me for more money. This has got to be a joke. I will make sure everyone knows not to use them.

Kei D.

Elbel Plumbing

Horrible. Called for an emergency plumbing on behalf of my parents whose hands were literally holding the pipe together with their hands. That's all I did...was call them. Parent's did the rest as it was their house, their pipes, and their signature for being liable for service. Instead of trying to go after them, they're going after me. However my signature is not on anything. Just made the phone call. I've asked them many times to bill and contact my parents however they've not received any contact from them. Now they're trying to pursue legal action. Ha! Again not my signature.
We even had to call another plumber out to fit their poor job. ha!

Marcia G.

Patrick Elbel has been doing our residental and business plumbing for over 25 yrs. He is always above board/honest/cost efficient/punctual. We will always continue to use Elbel Plumbing.

Marcia H.

Chris G.

We had a pipe leak above our water heater and Truman came out to help on the same day service was requested. He was extremely professional and top notch. I would highly recommend their services and will be using again if need be! Thanks again!

Jorge R.

Top Notch service all around. Larry said they would be here at 9 am and they were here at 9 am and did the job I needed in less than an hour. Honest, reliable, and excellent work. Not trying to gouge your eyes out. This calls for more service and recommendations to others bringing more business to them. AAAA++++++ all the way. Highly recommend.

C H.

Poor job on simple task. They were called out 3 months ago and noted on the invoice they adjusted the water pressure to 70 psi. When another plumber was called out for a separate issue the pressure was measured at 85 psi, so I called them to correct the supposed work they had done. Their own invoice says 80 psi is a code violation.
They told me it would be 79.00 just for the call out even though it was to correct their own shoddy work. Then rambled in about how it could be anything... but not them and we probably had a bad meter. Unfortunately when they came out the first time they left their meter attached to the faucet and wouldn't you know it... we double checked with that one... and the second one they left. That's right... two meters hanging off the side of my house. That's the thing about abandoned property... free to use while on my property. All three meters read 85 from 3 different locations yet the invoice said it was adjusted to 70.
I wanted to return the meters when they came to fix the work but apparently I have to pay for them to come do the job they said they did.
Will never use this company. Nothing like paying for something that's not actually being done.
The original work was almost 900.00 and they don't want to bother to send someone to make it right.
I guess their work has to be double checked the next day since the labor warranty is only 30 days... and how would you know if it's done right unless you are a plumber. Not worth the risk with this business