Plumbing Services in Portland, OR

Plumbing in Portland at a glancePortland’s older neighborhoods — Laurelhurst, Sellwood, Alberta and many more — are full of early 20th-century homes with basements, galvanized supply lines and clay sewer laterals vulnerable to roots from the city’s mature trees. Long, wet winters keep soil saturated and drainage systems busy.

Portland’s primary water source, the Bull Run watershed, is soft, so mineral scale is rarely an issue. Oregon’s plumbing code requires seismic strapping of water heaters, and while winters are usually mild, ice storms and occasional hard freezes — like those in recent years — have caused widespread burst pipes.

Bathroom with double vanity and marble walls

Housing & construction

Craftsman bungalows and old Portland foursquares with basements, mid-century ranches in outer neighborhoods, and growing infill and apartment construction.

Plumbing services in Portland

Utility crew excavating a street to reach a broken water line

Sewer Line Repair in Portland

Mature tree canopy

Portland sewer line repair →

Drain Cleaning in Portland

Basement floor drains

Portland drain cleaning →

Heat pump water heater in a modern bathroom

Water Heater Replacement & Installation in Portland

Seismic restraint

Portland water heater replacement & installation →

Also common in Portland: sump pump repair, pipe repair.

Common plumbing problems in Portland

Tree Roots in Sewer Line in PortlandLarge street and yard trees

What makes Portland plumbing different

Soft Bull Run water

Low mineral content means minimal scale in fixtures and heaters.

Older homes with basements

Basements, galvanized pipe and clay laterals are common in established neighborhoods.

Ice storms

Freezing rain and cold snaps cause power outages and frozen pipes.

Seismic strapping

Oregon requires water heaters to be seismically restrained.

Seasonal plumbing calendar for Portland

Rainy seasonCheck sump pumps and basement drainage; clear downspouts.
Ice stormsInsulate exposed pipes and know how to shut off water during outages.

Plumbing emergency in Portland?

Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.

Call (866) 417-0220

Portland plumbing questions

Is Portland water hard?

No. Bull Run water is soft, so scale is rarely a concern.

Do Portland homes need earthquake straps on water heaters?

Yes. Oregon code requires seismic restraint for water heaters.

Why do Portland basements get wet?

Long rainy seasons saturate soil; sump pumps, drainage and good grading keep basements dry.

Do pipes freeze in Portland?

During ice storms and hard freezes, yes — especially in crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls.

Nearby service areas

We also serve communities around Portland, including Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Tigard, Vancouver, WA.

Seattle Portland Oregon