A+ Accredited
Years / In Business Since 1967
Jobs / Completed Across the Lower Mainland
5-Star Google Reviews
Licensed — LGA0001088
Trade Ally
Certified
When you call Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating, you are calling a Vancouver institution. Many homeowners across the city know us simply as Hillcrest Plumbing — the plumbing shop that has been at 212 East 17th Avenue since 1967. Our full registered business name is Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating, named for our founder Bill Schroeder, and it is the name you will find on our shop front, our service vehicles, and every permit we pull. We have been solving plumbing and heating problems for Vancouver homeowners and businesses for over 55 years — earned one job at a time, one neighbour at a time, across more than 34,000 completed jobs throughout the Lower Mainland.
We are a family-run plumbing company, and that shows in how we work. Our licensed journeyman plumbers and certified gas fitters treat every home the way they would treat their own. We arrive on time, we explain what we find before we start, we price fairly, and we clean up when we are done. It is a straightforward approach to plumbing and heating that Vancouver residents have relied on for more than half a century.
From a leaking faucet in a Kitsilano heritage home to a full commercial plumbing installation in Burnaby, from an emergency sewer backup in East Vancouver to a heat pump replacement in Richmond — Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating is the call that gets it done right the first time.
Years in Business
Jobs Completed
5-Star Google Reviews
Emergency Service
Family Owned
In 1967, a plumber named Bill Schroeder opened a small shop on East 17th Avenue with a straightforward philosophy: do honest work, charge fair prices, and never leave a customer’s home worse than you found it. He put his name above the door — Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating — and built a reputation the only way a tradesperson ever really can: one job at a time, one satisfied neighbour at a time.
That shop is still here. The name is still on the door. And the values Bill established in 1967 are still how we work every day.
The story of how a single plumber’s approach to his craft built one of Vancouver’s most enduring plumbing and heating companies across nearly six decades is one worth knowing — especially if you are about to invite us into your home.
212 E 17th Ave
Licensed journeyman plumbers and certified gas fitters dispatched daily across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Burst pipes, sewer backups, floods, and no-heat situations — we respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Same-day emergency dispatch throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Clogged drains, sewer backups, hydro jetting, CCTV camera inspection, and perimeter drain service. We clear and inspect drainage systems for Vancouver homes and stratas.
Storage tanks, tankless on-demand systems, and power-vent water heaters — repair, maintenance, and full replacement. All major brands serviced and installed.
Gas furnace repair and replacement, hydronic boiler service, radiant floor heating, and heating system maintenance for Vancouver homes and commercial buildings.
Heat pump installation, mini-split systems, and HVAC service. FortisBC rebate-eligible systems — we handle the paperwork so you get the savings you are entitled to.
Poly-B pipe failures are one of the most common insurance and plumbing issues in Vancouver homes built between 1978 and 1995. We assess, quote, and replace.
Strata, multi-family, restaurant, office, and light industrial plumbing for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Maintenance contracts, emergency response, and planned installations.
Annual backflow testing and device installation for commercial, strata, and residential properties in Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland.
A plumbing emergency does not wait for office hours — and neither do we. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating provides 24-hour emergency plumbing service to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, every day of the year including weekends and holidays. When you call 604-879-1415, you reach a real person, not a recording.
Our emergency plumbing team responds to burst pipes, severe drain blockages, sewer backups, hot water failures, gas line concerns, and flooded basements. We dispatch quickly, arrive prepared, and carry the parts and equipment needed to resolve most emergency plumbing repairs on the first visit.
With over 55 years serving Vancouver, we know the city’s housing stock, its common plumbing failure points, and how to work efficiently in everything from heritage homes in East Vancouver to modern condos in Yaletown. When a plumbing emergency strikes, the fastest resolution is to call a plumber you can trust immediately.
Your hot water tank is one of the hardest-working systems in your home, and when it starts to fail, the signs are usually there before it gives out completely — unusual noises, inconsistent water temperature, discoloured hot water, or a unit that is simply getting old. Catching it early means a planned replacement on your schedule rather than an emergency call on a cold weekday morning.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating handles the full range of hot water tank services for Vancouver homeowners and businesses: diagnosis, repair, maintenance, and complete replacement. Whether you are staying with a conventional storage tank, upgrading to a tankless on-demand system, or switching to a power-vent unit for a different installation location, our licensed plumbers will assess your household’s needs and recommend the right system for your budget before any work begins.
We service and install all major brands including Bradford White, Rheem, Navien, AO Smith, and Giant. Every installation is completed by a licensed journeyman technician and meets BC Plumbing Code requirements.
Not sure whether to repair or replace? Call us at 604-879-1415 for a free estimate and honest advice.
Tankless systems deliver hot water on demand, eliminate standby heat loss, and typically last longer than conventional storage tanks. They are an increasingly popular upgrade for Vancouver homes — particularly for households with high hot water demand or limited mechanical room space. Uncle Bill's Hillcrest installs and services Navien, Rheem, and other leading tankless brands, and we can help you determine whether a tankless system qualifies for current FortisBC rebates.
A slow drain or recurring clog is one of the easiest plumbing problems to ignore — until it becomes a basement flood or a sewer backup on a Sunday evening. Vancouver’s wet climate, combined with aging drainage infrastructure in many neighbourhoods, means that drain problems left unaddressed rarely fix themselves.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating clears blocked drains throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland using professional-grade hydro jetting equipment capable of 4,000 PSI — enough to cut through tree root intrusions, grease buildup, and years of accumulated debris that a standard snake cannot clear. We also carry CCTV camera inspection equipment to identify the exact location and cause of a blockage before work begins, so we are not guessing.
Our drainage services cover kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, floor drains, perimeter drains, main sewer lines, and full sewer line repair and replacement. For strata buildings and commercial properties, we offer scheduled drain maintenance programs that prevent costly emergency calls.
If you are dealing with a drainage issue right now, call 604-879-1415. We will have a plumber at your door fast.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to thoroughly clean the interior walls of drain and sewer pipes — removing grease, scale, roots, and debris that snaking leaves behind. It is the most effective drain cleaning method available and delivers results that last. Uncle Bill's Hillcrest provides professional hydro jetting throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and surrounding Lower Mainland communities.
Cracked, collapsed, or root-intruded sewer lines are common in Vancouver's older neighbourhoods where original clay and cast iron pipes are now 40 to 70 years old. Uncle Bill's Hillcrest assesses, repairs, and replaces sewer lines for residential and commercial properties throughout the Lower Mainland. Ask us about trenchless options to minimize disruption to landscaping and driveways.
A heating failure in a damp Vancouver winter is more than uncomfortable — it is an urgent problem, particularly for homes with young children, elderly residents, or properties that risk pipe freezing if left without heat. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating provides fast, reliable heating system service to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, with licensed gas fitters available around the clock.
We service, repair, and install the full range of residential and commercial heating systems: gas furnaces, hydronic boilers, radiant floor heating, heat pumps, and hot water on-demand systems. Our heating technicians carry the certifications required to work on natural gas systems in BC — Technical Safety BC Gas Contractor Licence LGA0001088 — and every job is completed to BC Safety Code requirements.
Whether your furnace is short-cycling, your boiler is losing pressure, or your radiant floor system has stopped delivering consistent heat, our technicians diagnose the root cause accurately and resolve it efficiently. We are also strong advocates for preventative maintenance — a properly serviced heating system is less likely to fail at the worst time and lasts significantly longer.
Hydronic boiler systems are common in Vancouver's heritage homes and multi-unit residential buildings. Uncle Bill's Hillcrest has been servicing and installing boilers throughout Vancouver for over 55 years. We work on all major brands and system configurations, including combination heating and hot water units.
Radiant floor heating delivers even, comfortable warmth and is increasingly popular in Vancouver renovations and new builds. Uncle Bill's Hillcrest installs and services both hydronic and electric radiant systems, and can assess whether your existing boiler system has the capacity to support a radiant floor addition.
From suite renovations in East Vancouver to full replumbing projects in Kerrisdale, Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating handles every residential plumbing need in Vancouver and the surrounding Lower Mainland. Our licensed journeyman plumbers arrive equipped for the job — whether it is a leaking faucet, a toilet replacement, a shower valve repair, a water main break, or a full Poly-B pipe replacement throughout a home.
We work in all housing types: single-family homes, heritage properties, duplexes, townhouses, condos, and basement suites. And we are upfront about costs before any work begins — no surprises when the invoice arrives.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating provides commercial plumbing services to strata councils, property managers, restaurants, office buildings, and light industrial facilities throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. With over 34,000 completed jobs and 55+ years of Vancouver experience, we understand the requirements and timelines that commercial clients depend on.
Our commercial plumbing services include new construction plumbing, tenant improvement work, strata plumbing maintenance and emergency response, grease trap service, backflow testing, and scheduled preventative maintenance contracts. Ask us about priority service agreements for property managers and strata councils.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating has been part of the Vancouver community since 1967. Nearly six decades of plumbing work in this city means we know its housing stock, its infrastructure, and its plumbing quirks better than anyone. That kind of experience cannot be replicated.
Over 34,000 completed plumbing and heating jobs across the Lower Mainland — residential and commercial — is a track record very few Vancouver plumbing companies can match. It means we have seen the problem you have, and we know exactly how to fix it.
Every technician who walks through your door is a licensed journeyman plumber or certified gas fitter, operating under Technical Safety BC Gas Contractor Licence LGA0001088. All work meets BC Plumbing Code requirements. We are also fully insured — so you are protected.
Plumbing emergencies do not respect business hours. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest is available around the clock, every day of the year for emergency plumbing response throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. When you call, you speak with a real person.
We explain what we find and what it will cost before we start work — always. No surprise charges, no hidden fees. Our pricing is straightforward because we believe earning your trust matters more than any individual job.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating has maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for decades. We are also FortisBC Trade Allies, WorkSafe BC registered, and Technical Safety BC licensed — trust signals that matter when you are inviting a tradesperson into your home.
Over 350 five-star Google reviews from Vancouver homeowners and businesses who trusted us with their plumbing and heating. Here is what they have to say.
If your Vancouver home was built between 1978 and 1995, there is a significant chance it still contains Poly-B (polybutylene) pipe — a grey plastic pipe that was widely installed during that era but is now known to degrade over time, causing pinhole leaks, burst pipes, and significant water damage. Many Vancouver insurance companies now refuse to cover homes with Poly-B, or charge substantially higher premiums.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating has been replacing Poly-B pipe throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for years. We assess your system, provide a clear written quote, and complete the replacement with PEX or copper pipe — the modern standard. Whether your home needs a partial replacement or a full repipe, we handle the job efficiently with minimal disruption to your household.
If you are not sure whether your home has Poly-B pipe, our plumbers can assess and advise during a visit. Do not wait for a leak to find out.
BC homeowners who upgrade to a qualifying heat pump, high-efficiency furnace, or tankless water heater may be eligible for significant FortisBC rebates — and in many cases, additional incentives from BC Hydro and the CleanBC Better Homes program. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating is a registered FortisBC Trade Ally, which means we install systems that qualify and we help you navigate the rebate application process.
The most significant current rebates in BC are for heat pump installations, which can offset a substantial portion of the upfront cost. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling from a single system, and Vancouver’s mild climate makes them particularly efficient here. If you are considering a heating upgrade, ask us about current FortisBC and CleanBC rebate availability before you commit to any system.
Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating serves residential and commercial customers throughout Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Our licensed plumbers and heating technicians travel throughout the Lower Mainland — so wherever you are, we are not far away.
Downtown Vancouver · Kitsilano · Mount Pleasant · East Vancouver · Fairview · Grandview-Woodland · Strathcona · Riley Park · South Main · Marpole · Kerrisdale · West End · Coal Harbour · Yaletown · Point Grey · Dunbar · Hastings-Sunrise · Commercial Drive · and all surrounding neighbourhoods
Burnaby · Richmond · Surrey · Delta · Langley · Coquitlam · Port Coquitlam · Maple Ridge · Pitt Meadows · New Westminster · North Vancouver · West Vancouver · and throughout the Lower Mainland.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us at 604-879-1415 — chances are, we do.
Have a question about our plumbing or heating services in Vancouver? Here are the answers to the questions we hear most often.
Yes — Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating is the plumbing and heating company at 212 East 17th Avenue in Vancouver, BC. Many of our long-time customers and neighbours know us simply as Hillcrest Plumbing, and we have been at this address since our founder Bill Schroeder opened the doors in 1967. Our full registered business name is Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating. You can reach us at 604-879-1415.
The cost of a plumber in Vancouver typically ranges from $120 to $200 per hour for labour, depending on the complexity of the work and whether it is a standard call or an after-hours emergency. Most plumbing companies, including Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest, provide a full cost estimate before any work begins so there are no surprises. For straightforward jobs like fixture replacement or drain cleaning, we can often provide a flat-rate quote. Call us at 604-879-1415 for a free estimate on your specific plumbing needs.
Yes. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating provides 24-hour emergency plumbing service throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, every day of the year including weekends and holidays. When you call 604-879-1415, you reach a real person. We dispatch quickly and carry parts for the most common emergency repairs, so most jobs are resolved on the first visit.
Poly-B (polybutylene) is a grey plastic pipe installed in many Metro Vancouver homes between 1978 and 1995. It has become prone to degradation over time, leading to pinhole leaks and burst pipes — and many BC insurance companies now decline to cover homes with Poly-B or charge higher premiums. If your home was built during that period and has not been replumbed, it is worth having a licensed plumber assess your system. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest provides free Poly-B assessments and competitive replacement quotes throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Common signs that a hot water tank is nearing the end of its service life include inconsistent water temperature, rumbling or popping noises from the tank, discoloured or rusty hot water, visible rust or corrosion around the base, and a unit that is more than 10–12 years old. If you are experiencing any of these, call Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest at 604-879-1415 for a free assessment. We will give you honest advice on whether repair or replacement is the right call for your situation.
Yes. Every plumber and gas fitter we send to your home is a licensed journeyman technician working under Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating’s Technical Safety BC Gas Contractor Licence (LGA0001088). We are fully insured and all plumbing work is completed to BC Plumbing Code requirements. We have maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau since our founding in 1967.
Yes. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating serves all of Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, including Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver. Call us at 604-879-1415 to confirm service availability in your area.
If you have a burst pipe or active flooding, locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and turn it off immediately. This is typically found near the water meter, often in a utility room, crawl space, or front of the house near the foundation. Avoid using any plumbing fixtures until the plumber arrives. If there is any risk of water contacting electrical outlets or panels, turn off power to those areas at the breaker panel. Then call us at 604-879-1415 — we will talk you through anything else while we are on the way.
Yes. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating is a full-service plumbing and heating contractor. Our certified gas fitters service, repair, and install gas furnaces, hydronic boilers, radiant floor heating, heat pumps, natural gas appliances, and gas fireplaces. All gas work is performed under our Technical Safety BC Gas Contractor Licence LGA0001088.
Many BC homeowners are eligible for FortisBC and CleanBC Better Homes rebates when upgrading to a qualifying heat pump, high-efficiency furnace, or tankless water heater. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest is a registered FortisBC Trade Ally — we install qualifying systems and help you navigate the rebate application process. Ask us about current rebate eligibility when you call for a quote.
Yes. Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating is an experienced commercial plumbing contractor for strata councils, property management companies, and multi-family residential buildings throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. We offer maintenance contracts, priority emergency response, and planned capital replacement programs for strata properties. Contact us to discuss a commercial service agreement.
Whether you have a plumbing emergency right now or a job you would like to schedule at your convenience, Uncle Bill’s Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating is ready to help. Our licensed plumbers serve Vancouver and the entire Lower Mainland — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call us at 604-879-1415, use the Podium chat at the bottom of the screen, or fill in the form and we will be in touch promptly. No plumbing or heating problem is too large or too small. We have been Vancouver’s trusted plumber since 1967 — and we look forward to earning your trust too.
Phone
604-879-1415
Address
212 E 17 Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5V 1A7
Office Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Emergencies
24/7, every day of the year
Website
hillcrestplumbing.com
We’ll respond promptly during office hours — or call 604-879-1415 for 24/7 emergencies.
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