Joseph C Sand
Company Overview
Focusing on:
- Hot Water Systems
- Pipe Specialists
- Contractors for Commercial and Industrial Projects
- Plumbing Contractors for Businesses
Sand Plumbing was founded by my ancestor. Initially, we functioned on the Lower Market area near 3rd St. During the 1906 disaster, the devastating fire destroyed our location, so Sand Plumbing relocated to Hyde Street. It seems it might have been his place of living at that time. He soon passed away, and my father's father along with my granddad's wife took over the company. In the 1920s, my grandfather's brother Henry Sand entered his journey in plumbing after a brief stint in professional baseball with the Philly team and the Orioles team. He was banned from baseball for informing on individuals involved with the controversy at that time. During the 1930s, we moved to 15th Street and Church Street, and we continue to operate from that location. In the 1950s, my dad and my father's brother entered the plumbing field until the end of the 90s, when they finished their careers and became a life of retirement. My plumbing journey began in the early 80s, the year my grandfather died at 83. He showed up daily up to the last moments. With almost three decades of expertise and intend to keep this going.
I was born at Children's Hospital in SF in the early 60s. My family relocated from SF to the suburb of San Bruno after my birth until I was 2 and then relocated to the Millbrae area where I spent my childhood. I am blessed with an sibling and a niece and nephew who are now college students. My parents continue to reside in the house I spent my childhood, and I acquired a home in San Bruno, CA where I make my home. I am married and have a 14-year-old boy who is now a high school student and twins, a boy and a girl who are in junior high. Family means the world to me.
Business Services
- Hot water recirculation pump installation
- Hot water recirculation pump repair
- Plumbing inspection
- Plumbing installation or replacement
- Plumbing repair
- Water heater installation
- Water heater repair
Business Location & Hours
Mon: | Open 24 hours |
Tue: | Open 24 hours |
Wed: | Open 24 hours |
Thu: | Open 24 hours |
Fri: | Open 24 hours |
Sat: | Open 24 hours |
Sun: | Open 24 hours |
Recommended Customer Reviews

Bob from Joseph C Sand is responsive, honest, hard working, and very good at his job. John goes the extra mile to make things right. When I call or write to him, he answered right away.
I had a plumbing problem that needed urgent assistance.
Bob promptly assessed the problem and fixed it expeditiously.
Thanks again Bob.

Bob Sand quickly texted his response to my query about replacing the stem in the bath/shower ""diverter"" valve, which another company refused to attempt unless they could tear open the wall and install a modern single handle control at significant cost (and leave the hole in the wall open). In a phone conversation he predicted an easy job due long experience with SF's mid-century apt/condo buildings' typical plumbing. He arrived early, the job was quick and simple, and the cost was very modest.

I have known Joe Sand and son Bob for over twenty years as a renter in a large apartment building. He has come to fix my two year Thanksgiving sink clog and other building plumbing problems and is always fast and thorough. Bob has taken over and is as great as his dad so feel safe and sane with a phone call to this go to plumber in San Francisco.

We have called him several times. Each time he completely solved our problems and did it for a reasonable cost. He communicates well and has returned calls promptly when we call (except on the weekend which is reasonable). Highly recommend him.

I can never get this guy to call me back. My husband insists on soliciting this company because of previous history but I can never get return phone calls in a timely manner. I'm glad plumbers are busy in San Francisco but a voicemail that warns customers that there may be a lag of several days in return calls. would be appreciated.

Amazing service. We had a problem with our kitchen sink and had recurring leaks over the past few years. Several different plumbers have ""fixed"" this none have apparently done a complete job...which leads me to today.
I called at 9am and Bob said he'd come by at 2pm. He actually showed up early, assessed the problem and quickly finished the work. He was communicative, willing to show me what he did and even helped with an unrelated problem while he was here.
I can't say that this fix will pass the test of time, but in looking at the quality of the work today, I'd guess it was last longer than all the other fixes!

The service could not have been better. Bob is a great texter/communicator and the quality of his work and prices could not be beat. I am more than satisfied and would not hesitate to recommend him.

I've used this company for over 20 years, including when Joseph himself still ran the business with two of his sons, one being Bob, who has has taken over in recent years. I take no issue with Bob's skilled work, but have been very disappointed with his lack of interest, energy, professionalism, and last time, his neglecting to answer my calls regarding a very clogged drain in my bathtub with standing water.
I called on a Monday to schedule a visit for any day that week but Thursday. He called back Monday eve saying to call him again. And I did, repeatedly, for 5 more days. No response. I asked in my messages if he was unable to schedule a visit this week to please let me know as soon as possible so I could resolve this disgusting, dirty, germy situation and be able to use my shower and bath again. NO RESPONSE at all.
I now read the reviews and see he has pulled this with other jobs. I think he is very low energy and is simply burnt out. Doersn;t seem to care about his customers, even myself, after 20 years of using only his business and having referred hom to numerous others.I called 4 of the people I referred his busoness, to, and one of them was horribly disappointed with his poor work and very high charge for what was less than 15 minutes on the job. She has since gotten a new plumber, as will the other three after hearing our tales.
It is too bad that he seems to care so little for long term customers. He could have at least shown the courtesy to return my call, especially since I described in detail the situation and need for immediate attention.
I miss his father, a much more professional demeanor and prompt responses. But this kind of behavior and lack of accountability will not fly.
Find yourself another more responsible and energetic plumber.

I own several properties and have to say plumbers are the worst. My experience with Jos. C Sands plumbing spans 14 years. First time I called it was to replace a water heater, and he was $100 under other quotes. (That heater still going strong). So I called him when a tenants water heater went out. Me ""Please come out and replace my water heater"" He fixed the thing for some $2 part and it is also still going! THE VAST MAJORITY of plumbers would have put in a new water heater and charged me thru the nose to do it. I blew a wax gasket plunging and he removed the toilet, snaked the line, reset toilet with new wax and cleaned up in under an hour. I had the wax ring so it was his hourly minimum. I had several quotes for 3x that. Sometimes my husband uses another cheaper by the hour handyman and that guy is running back and forth to get the right parts. In the end he takes so long he costs us more than if we had called Sands in the first place. My husband has told me Sands didn't return his phone call, but from my point of view they still get all 5 stars. I have so many plumber nightmare stories, I wish I could get Sands to travel out of town when I need a plumber at my other place.

All the units in our condo complex had to be brought up to code and some repairs had to be made to the plumbing. Joseph C Sand Co did the work and very well. Professional and efficient service.