Plumber Seattle: $284 to $760 + SPU Leak Credits (Angi 2026)

Seattle prices from Angi's city guides. After-hours, weekend and holiday work costs 1.5 to 2 times the normal hourly rate, Angi says.

Do this now: a leak, backup or burst pipe in Seattle

1. Shut off the main water valve if a pipe is spraying or a ceiling is dripping.
2. Smell gas? Leave the house and call 911 or Puget Sound Energy (1-888-225-5773) from outside.
3. Water near outlets or the panel: shut off the breaker only from a dry spot.
4. Sewage backing up: call a plumber first, Seattle Public Utilities says. If the plumber suspects the city main, call SPU at (206) 386-1800.
5. Before anyone clears a side sewer blockage, SPU says to call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773 so a cross-bored gas line is not hit.
6. Water soaked floors or walls? Call your insurer too, photograph the damage before anything is moved or thrown out, and do not sign an assignment of benefits or any contract that hands your claim to a contractor.

Is it an emergency? When to call a Seattle plumber tonight

A burst pipe, sewage coming up a floor drain, no water or a gas smell is an emergency. Angi's 2026 Seattle emergency guide puts after-hours calls at $111 to $556, with an average of $189, and says heavy rain drives sewer backups and sump pump failures: Sea-Tac averages 93.4 days a year with measurable rain, NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals show. A dripping faucet or one slow sink can wait for business hours. Rates and first steps are on emergency plumber in Seattle.

Plumbing jobs in Seattle

• Emergency plumber and 24 hour plumber in Seattle: Angi's Seattle range is $111 to $556 a visit.
• Drain cleaning in Seattle: a clogged drain runs $150 to $450 flat, and SPU says routine side sewer cleaning is generally under $1,500.
• Sewer line repair in Seattle: you own the side sewer out to the public main under the street.
• Water heater repair in Seattle: Seattle City Light pays $750 toward a heat pump water heater.

Who issues plumbing permits in Seattle?

Plumbing and gas piping permits in Seattle come from Public Health Seattle and King County, not the city's building department. A permit is required to install, relocate or change a plumbing or gas piping system. Since January 1, 2025, the fee has been a $132 base plus $26 per fixture, with an hourly rate of $264, SDCI's Building Connections reported. Seattle also licenses gas piping mechanics separately. Ask the plumber who pulls the permit and whether it is in the quote.

How to check a plumber in Washington

Washington L&I certifies plumbers and registers every contractor. Its Verify tool shows contractor registration, plumber certification, bond lawsuits and safety citations. Angi notes Washington's plumber certification takes at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. Ask for the L&I registration number and proof of insurance before work starts.

Seattle water bill credit after a leak

Seattle Public Utilities adjusts the bill for a customer-side leak at 100% of the above-normal water use under Director's Rule CS-325, but only for property owners, once per calendar year, covering two billing periods. The owner must start finding and fixing the leak within 30 days of first notice and finish within 60 days; extensions are available on request. Keep the plumber's invoice as proof.

Plumbing, water and sewer facts for Seattle, from the official city, county, state, utility, Census and NOAA pages listed under Sources.

Old pipes in Seattle homes

Seattle's median home was built in 1976, and 89,841 of its 393,918 housing units were built in 1939 or earlier, the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 survey shows. Angi's Seattle guide says older neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Queen Anne and Wallingford often have original early-1900s plumbing, which adds labor. Income-qualified owners can apply to the Office of Housing for 0% repair loans starting at $3,000, with grants for some who do not qualify; it covers plumbing, sewer and water lines but has a waitlist and does not handle urgent repairs. Call (206) 684-0244.

More Seattle repair guides

Water in the house: water damage restoration in Seattle. Heat: HVAC repair in Seattle and furnace repair in Seattle. Wiring: electrician in Seattle. Other cities: plumber in Portland and plumber in Denver. National prices: plumber guide and home repair costs. Calls go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job (how calls work).