About Smelly Mel's Plumbing — family-owned in the Bay Area since 1988
Same family, same name, same crew earning its reputation one careful job at a time — in San Francisco, the Peninsula and the North Bay for over 35 years. Owner Travis is on consultations, estimates and jobs personally, and every tech is trained, pre-screened and background-checked.
Run by the same family that's been on Bay Area pipes since 1988
"Smelly Mel's hasn't lasted this long by being second-best."
For over 35 years, Smelly Mel's Plumbing Inc. has been a family-owned business serving San Francisco, the Peninsula and the North Bay. Owner Travis isn't a name on a truck — customers describe him meeting them in person, sitting them down to walk through the work, and leading the crew on site. When you call Smelly Mel's, that's who you're getting.
The team is more than plumbers, too. Smelly Mel's runs an in-house dispatch crew — the same people who pick up the phone day or night — which is part of why we can answer 24/7 with a real person instead of a machine. We're licensed, insured, and proud to be part of the neighborhoods we work in.
How we work — and what's backed in writing
The same way it's been for 35+ years: tell you the price first, do the work clean, stand behind it.
Free written itemized estimate first
Before any work begins, you get a free, fully-itemized written estimate — and you approve it before we touch a thing.
Free drain-cleaning estimates
Wondering what a clog will cost? Drain-cleaning estimates are always free — no strings, no pressure.
Satisfaction guarantee
Every service contract is backed by our satisfaction guarantee. If something isn't right, we come back and make it right.
Answered 24/7
A real person picks up — day or night, weekends and holidays included — thanks to our in-house dispatch team.
The work most plumbers can't do
Plenty of plumbers can change a faucet. Fewer can replace a sewer line without trenching your yard, or pull invasive roots without an open excavation. We can — and it's a big reason customers come back.
- Exclusive digless tree-root excavationOur no-dig root removal system clears invasive roots without trenching across your property.
- Trenchless sewer replacement — damage-free guaranteeFailed laterals replaced through small access points, with landscaping, asphalt, concrete and foundation protected in writing.
- 4,000-PSI hydro jetterScours years of grease, sludge and roots out of long lines a basic snake can't reach.
- Trained, pre-screened, background-checked techsEveryone we send to your door has been vetted — that's non-negotiable.
Serving San Francisco, the Peninsula & the North Bay
Based at 300 Shaw Rd in South San Francisco, we cover the city and the Peninsula — from Daly City and Pacifica down through San Bruno, San Mateo and Hillsborough — plus the North Bay. Not sure if you're in range? Give us a call.
35+ years of Bay Area homes and businesses, in their own words
After many quotes, I went back to Smelly Mel's for advice. Travis took time out of his busy schedule to actually sit me down and explain exactly what needed to be done, what the city expected, the process, the timeline — every question I had, answered. Then he gave me a really good quote. His team was super professional, on time, and respectful of the property and my neighbors. They left the sidewalk looking brand new. I'd highly recommend anyone with a sewer lateral issue work with Travis and his team.
We had a sewer lateral done for our commercial building. I met with Travis and found him extremely knowledgeable. Extremely professional, very reasonably priced and very efficient — I've used them again for a retail space in San Mateo. Highly recommend.
WOO! Smelly Mel's is the best plumbers and rooter service in town. They arrive quickly, don't overcharge you, and no job is too big or too small — I've used them to drain a sink and for a big underground plumbing project.
Travis and the whole crew at Smelly Mel's are the best. They replaced my lateral sewer line — no mess, you could hardly tell anything had changed in my front yard. I'll certainly use Smelly Mel's next time I need a plumber.
We're hiring — Plumber & Dispatcher
We're a real Bay Area crew, not a gig app: steady local work across San Francisco and the Peninsula, an in-house dispatch team, and a name that's meant something since 1988. We're actively hiring a Plumber and a Dispatcher.
- 1Plumber — now hiring
Residential & commercial plumbing, drain and sewer work across the Bay Area.
- 2Dispatcher — now hiring
Coordinating the daily schedule and crews, and answering customer calls.
- 3How to apply
Email your résumé to SMPNewHire@gmail.com, or visit the office Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm.
Bay Area homeowners and businesses have trusted us since 1988.
One call gets you a real person, a written price, and a crew — led by the owner — that does it right the first time. Emergency or not, we're ready.