Case type
Plumbing inspections & troubleshooting
When something feels wrong but the cause is unclear, we inspect the system, gather evidence, and explain what we find.
The evidence
What we look for
- Unexplained noises, odors, or performance changes
- Pre-purchase or pre-remodel plumbing concerns
- Symptoms that do not match a single fixture
- Prior work that never fully resolved the issue
- Need for a clear written assessment
The investigation
How we work the case
We walk the system methodically — supply, drain, fixtures, and related equipment — and document what the evidence shows.
The solution
Case closed
You leave with a clear diagnosis and recommended next steps, whether that is a simple repair or a larger scope of work.
Service areas
Plumbing inspections & troubleshooting by area
We take this case across Seattle, the Eastside, and Snohomish County. Choose your city for a local file.
Related cases
Other investigations
- Water heatersLeaking tanks, failing components, aging units, and heaters that no longer deliver the hot water your home needs.
- Hidden leaksWater can travel away from its source before it becomes visible. We investigate the signs and trace the leak back to where the case began.
- Water serviceThe line connecting the meter to your home can fail, leak, or restrict flow. We investigate the service line when the evidence points beyond the fixtures.
- Water pressureHigh or low water pressure is a clue, not always the cause. We trace the pressure problem back to its source.
- RepipingSometimes the problem is not one fixture or one connection. When the piping itself has become the issue, we investigate the condition of the system and determine the appropriate path forward.
- ValvesA valve that leaks, sticks, or fails to shut off can create a larger plumbing problem. We identify the failure and address the source.
- DrainsSlow drains and recurring backups leave clues. We investigate what is affecting the drainage system rather than simply treating the symptom.
- Tankless systemsScale, fault codes, poor performance, and systems that stop delivering reliable hot water can all point to an underlying issue.
- Gas pipingNew gas lines, corrections, and related plumbing work completed according to the requirements of the job.
- Code correctionsWhen existing plumbing does not meet current requirements, we identify what needs to be corrected and bring the affected work up to code.
- Unusual problemsNot every plumbing problem follows a familiar pattern. When the symptoms do not match a standard failure, we investigate the case from the evidence up.
- Water heater repair & replacementWhen a tank leaks, fails to heat, or ages past reliable service, we diagnose the unit and repair or replace it correctly.
- Gas water heatersGas-fired tanks that will not light, vent correctly, or deliver steady hot water need a focused investigation of combustion and plumbing.
- Electric water heatersElement failures, thermostat issues, and tank leaks leave clear clues. We trace the failure and restore electric hot water service.
- Heat-pump / hybrid water heatersHybrid units that underperform, fault, or freeze up need diagnosis of both the plumbing connections and the heat-pump system.
- Water heater maintenance & flushingSediment, scale, and neglected anodes shorten tank life. Scheduled flushing and maintenance keep the unit working longer.
- Hot-water recirculation systemsLong waits for hot water point to recirculation pumps, timers, sensors, or loop design that need investigation.
- Thermostatic / tempering valvesMixing valves that fail to temper water correctly create scald risk or lukewarm delivery. We identify and correct the failure.
- Expansion tanksWater hammer, relief-valve discharge, and pressure spikes often point to a failed or missing thermal expansion tank.
- Whole-house repipingWhen leaks and failures keep appearing throughout the home, the piping system itself becomes the case — not one fixture at a time.
- PEX-A repipingPEX-A repiping replaces failing distribution lines with flexible, durable piping suited to modern residential systems.
- Copper pipe repair & replacementPinholes, green corrosion, and failed solder joints call for targeted copper repair or section replacement.
- Galvanized pipe replacementGalvanized steel restricts flow and corrodes from the inside. When the evidence points to galvanized, replacement is often the lasting fix.
- Water service repairLeaks or damage on the line between the meter and the home can often be repaired when the failure is localized and the pipe is otherwise sound.
- Water service replacementWhen the service line is too far gone for a reliable repair, full replacement restores pressure and stops ongoing loss.
- Main water shutoff replacementA main shutoff that leaks, seizes, or will not close fully is a critical failure — we replace it so you can control the system.
- Pressure-reducing valves (PRVs)High municipal pressure or a failed PRV can damage fixtures and appliances. We diagnose and correct pressure regulation.
- Water-pressure diagnosis & repairHigh or low pressure is a clue. We measure, isolate, and repair the cause — regulator, restriction, or supply condition.
- Leak detection & plumbing diagnosticsWhen water loss or damage has no obvious source, we investigate systematically until the leak or failure is identified.
- Water-line leak repairSupply-line leaks behind walls, under slabs, or in crawl spaces are traced and repaired at the failed section.
- Emergency plumbing repairsActive leaks, burst lines, and sudden failures need fast isolation and repair. We open the urgent case and stop the damage.
- Toilet installation & replacementLeaking bases, cracked bowls, and outdated toilets are replaced and set correctly so the fixture seals and flushes reliably.
- Toilet repairRunning toilets, weak flushes, and fill-valve failures are diagnosed and repaired without replacing the whole fixture when the evidence allows.
- Bidet installationBidet seats and attachments need correct water supply, isolation, and mounting. We install them cleanly and to code expectations.
- Faucet installation & replacementDripping, seized, or outdated faucets are replaced with correct deck fittings, supply lines, and shutoffs.
- Kitchen plumbingSinks, supply lines, disposals, dishwashers, and related kitchen connections investigated and repaired as one system.
- Bathroom plumbingToilets, lavatories, showers, and tubs share supply and drain systems. We diagnose bathroom failures and close the case correctly.
- Shower valve installation & replacementFailed shower valves cause leaks, scald risk, and no control. We replace cartridges or full valves behind the wall when needed.
- Tub / shower plumbingTub and shower supply, drains, overflows, and valves form one case file when leaks or performance problems appear.
- Laundry plumbingWasher boxes, standpipes, and laundry supply lines fail in ways that flood quickly. We investigate and correct laundry plumbing.
- Laundry boxes & drain pansOutdated laundry boxes and missing drain pans leave washers unprotected. We install or replace them for safer laundry setups.
- Utility-sink installationUtility sinks need proper supply, trap, and drain routing. We install them for garages, basements, and laundry rooms.
- Dishwasher installation & plumbingDishwashers need correct supply, drain high-loop or air gap, and leak-free connections. We handle the plumbing side of the install.
- Garbage disposal installation & replacementHumming, leaking, or seized disposals are replaced and wired into the drain assembly correctly.
- Angle-stop replacementUnder-sink and toilet shutoffs that drip or seize are replaced so you can isolate fixtures without drama.
- Fixture supply-line replacementAged braided or soft-copper supply lines fail without much warning. We replace them before or after they leak.
- Drain repair & replacementFailed traps, corroded drain arms, and broken waste lines are repaired or replaced so fixtures drain without leaks.
- Drain cleaningSlow drains and backups leave clues. We clear the line and investigate what keeps returning after a temporary fix.
- Sewer / drain camera inspectionsWhen the cause is underground or inside the line, a camera inspection shows the evidence — offsets, roots, scale, or collapse.
- Hydro jettingGrease, scale, and heavy buildup often need high-pressure water jetting beyond a standard cable clear.
- Waste and vent pipingImproper waste or vent piping causes slow drains, gurgling, and sewer odors. We correct the drainage and venting path.
- Plumbing vent alterationsRoof vent moves, island vents, and remodel-driven vent changes must be designed so the drainage system still breathes correctly.
- Plumbing remodelsFull plumbing remodels need rough-in planning, fixture coordination, and finishes that close cleanly. We handle the plumbing file end to end.
- Kitchen remodel plumbingIsland sinks, dishwasher moves, pot fillers, and new layouts need kitchen remodel plumbing planned before cabinets close.
- Bathroom remodel plumbingMoved toilets, new showers, and double vanities require bathroom remodel plumbing that is laid out and finished correctly.
- Natural-gas line installation & repairNew gas runs and repairs to existing lines are sized, routed, and tested to meet the load and the jurisdiction’s requirements.
- Gas appliance connectionsWater heaters, dryers, ranges, and other gas appliances need correct connectors, shutoffs, and leak-tested connections.
- Cooktop / range gas connectionsCooktops and ranges need properly sized gas supply, shutoff access, and a clean connection inside the cabinet or behind the unit.
- Hydronic heating plumbingBoilers and hydronic loops depend on correct piping, pumps, and valves. We investigate and repair the plumbing side of hydronic heat.
- Radiant-floor heating plumbingRadiant manifolds, loops, and supply piping need careful diagnosis when floors stay cold or loops leak.
- Boiler-related plumbingNear-boiler piping, feeds, relief valves, and closely related connections are investigated when the hydronic plant misbehaves.
- Backflow / DCVA installation & replacementBackflow preventers and DCVAs protect the potable supply. We install, replace, and support testing requirements for these devices.
- Permit-related plumbing workWhen permits and inspections are part of the job, we complete the plumbing scope so the work is ready for the inspector.