A photo of a young Steve Silva hangs on the wall of his South Napa office.

In the image, Silva’s arm is propped on the door to the cab of his first Steve Silva Plumbing truck. The truck is painted white with the blue lettering that looks familiar 25 years later.  

There’s a reason both Silva and his fleet have become common sights around town. In the past quarter century, Silva has managed to turn what a one-man operation into a successful business with 30 employees. Today, Silva’s 22 white-and-blue lettered trucks travel to and from jobs all over Napa County.

“People say they see them everywhere,” said Silva, smiling. “I love hearing that.”

Back in 1983, Silva struck out on his own. “I had worked for other contractors and had the passion to work for myself,” said Silva. “My timing was perfect.”

“In 1983 we were coming out of a recession, there was a lot of building going on” and not as much competition, he said.

Beginning with that first truck, Silva quickly outgrew working out of his garage at home, and moved into a location on Third Street. In 1991 the business settled on Enterprise Way in Napa Valley Corporate Park.

Steve Silva Plumbing provides residential plumbing service, repair and remodel. It also provides new construction services for both residential and commercial projects. Visitors to the company office can shop from a showroom that displays hundreds of faucets, kitchen sinks, toilets, bathtubs and more.

“I started with the attitude that I’m going to do the work right and serve my customers,” said Silva. “We accomplished that, but it’s always a work in progress,” he said. “We’re constantly training and trying to do better.”

Silva’s wife, Kathy, also works at the business. The couple said there’s no secret to working together.  

“We’ve never had a problem,” said Steve Silva. “We’ve always been a good team.”

“We don’t have conflicts,” said Kathy Silva. “We have the same goals.”

“Our roles are pretty defined,” added Steve Silva.

“And we know when to stop talking shop when we get home,” said Kathy Silva.

“Its just worked,” he said.

“It’s personality,” they said in unison.  

Rounding out that team is the second generation of Silva Plumbing. Daughter Stephanie, 25, works in customer service at the business. While not at college, son Cameron, 19, has also been an employee.  

The plumbing industry has evolved in the past 25 years, said Silva.

“What’s changed is the materials and methods of installation,” he said. Plastic pipe has replaced steel and cast iron. Customers and manufacturers continue to adopt and develop energy- and water-saving features. “I think we’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of that,” said Silva.  

Silva Plumbing recently expanded into St. Helena. “It’s going good,” said Silva. “It’s a slow but steady process. Business is increasing all the time.”  

What does Silva see for the next 25 years?  “I’ll probably still be here, No. 1,” said Silva. “The challenge is to find ways to improve. I’d like to see a thriving successful business that has great employees and a great reputation.”

“Kind of like what we have now,” said Kathy Silva.

After 25 years, Silva knows what a successful business requires. “You have to put in the hours,” he said. “It takes a lot of time and effort to make it work.”

But the investment has paid off, especially when it comes to taking a vacation now and then.

“I’m to the point where while I’m gone, the employees are doing their jobs and I don’t have to worry about it. It’s a huge accomplishment and a testament to them,” he said. Silva also dedicates time to local causes and charities.  

Besides that 1980s photo of Silva with his first truck, numerous awards, certificates and photos decorate his office, illustrating a life dedicated to his work and community.  

“I’m probably one of those guys that will be here until I can’t be here any longer,” he said.

“You gotta like what you do. If I didn’t, I’d be making plans to retire right now. Thank you to all my customers over the past 25 years,” said Silva.  “I’ve made a lot of friends.

“I also thank my wife and my employees,” he said. “Other than my customers, they’re what make this tick.”

Steve Silva Plumbing, Inc.

901 Enterprise Way, Suite A

Napa

252-3941

stevesilvaplumbing.com