King County · Seattle, WA
Plumbers in Seattle, WA
Seattle is in King County, Washington. About 994,000 people live in the 60 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 485,000 homes, 42% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built in 2000 or later (28%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 60 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Seattle
98101, 98102, 98103, 98104, 98105, 98106, 98107, 98108, 98109, 98111, 98112, 98113, 98114, 98115, 98116, 98117, 98118, 98119, 98121, 98122, 98124, 98125, 98126, 98127, 98129, 98131, 98132, 98133, 98134, 98136, 98138, 98139, 98141, 98144, 98145, 98146, 98148, 98154, 98155, 98158, 98160, 98161, 98164, 98165, 98166, 98168, 98170, 98174, 98175, 98177, 98178, 98181, 98185, 98188, 98190, 98191, 98194, 98195, 98198, 98199
Seattle homes and their plumbing
Here is how Seattle's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 20%, 1940–1959 18%, 1960–1979 18%, 1980–1999 16%, 2000 or later 28%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often. Neighboring areas such as Bellevue, Redmond are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 20% |
| 1940–1959 | 18% |
| 1960–1979 | 18% |
| 1980–1999 | 16% |
| 2000 or later | 28% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 994,393
- Housing units
- 485,001
- Single-family detached
- 42%
- Owner-occupied
- 48%
- Heated with utility gas
- 35%
- Heated with electricity
- 59%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 4%
What goes wrong in Seattle homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
38% of homes in Seattle's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 20% of them before 1940. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
Winter freezes
56% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Washington winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 42% of homes here are single-family detached houses. In attached buildings a leak or clog often involves a shared stack or a neighbor's unit, so it's worth knowing which lines are yours and which belong to the building or HOA, and where your unit's own shutoff is.
Common calls in Seattle
- Whole-House Repiping
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Seattle: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Seattle at a glance
- County
- King County
- Nearest city pages
- Redmond
- ZIP codes
- 98101, 98102, 98103, 98104, 98105, 98106, 98107, 98108, 98109, 98111, 98112, 98113, 98114, 98115, 98116, 98117, 98118, 98119, 98121, 98122, 98124, 98125, 98126, 98127, 98129, 98131, 98132, 98133, 98134, 98136, 98138, 98139, 98141, 98144, 98145, 98146, 98148, 98154, 98155, 98158, 98160, 98161, 98164, 98165, 98166, 98168, 98170, 98174, 98175, 98177, 98178, 98181, 98185, 98188, 98190, 98191, 98194, 98195, 98198, 98199
Seattle plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Seattle?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Seattle, Census estimates put 38% of homes as built before 1960, 18% from 1960 to 1979, 16% from 1980 to 1999 and 28% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 2000 or later (28%).
Who licenses plumbers in Seattle, WA?
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) certifies plumbers and registers contractors.
Are water heaters in Seattle usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 35% of homes heating with utility gas, 59% with electricity, 4% with fuel oil. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so electricity is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
I rent in Seattle. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 53% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Washington landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Seattle homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Medina (4 mi), Mercer Island (6 mi), Kirkland (8 mi), Shoreline (9 mi), Kenmore (10 mi), Rollingbay (10 mi), Burien (10 mi), Seahurst (10 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Seattle, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Seattle?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.