Facing a burst pipe, failing water heater, or sewer backup? United Plumbing PDX provides licensed, upfront-priced master plumbing repair across Portland, Multnomah County, and the surrounding Willamette Valley.
OR CCB #234891
Licensed & Insured
4.9 ★★★★★
184 Verified Reviews
30–60 Min
Metro Response
Direct dispatch response in 30–60 minutes. Upfront pricing before any work starts.
When water is escaping under a Sellwood sink, backing up through a basement drain, or pouring from a frozen split pipe, guessing increases property loss. Follow this phone-first action plan while help is en route.
If the leak is isolated to one fixture (sink, toilet, washing machine), close its angle stop valve clockwise. If the valve is corroded or the leak is hidden behind drywall, immediately close the home's main water shutoff valve.
Wastewater contains bio-contaminants. Cease all water usage in the home immediately. Running a tap upstairs forces raw sewage out through the lowest shower, tub, or basement floor drain.
During winter Columbia Gorge freezes, outdoor hose bibs and crawl space pipes split under ice pressure. When thawing, shut the main valve immediately. If a water heater tank is leaking, shut its cold-water supply valve.
Match your home's symptoms to the correct containment action. We diagnose before recommending mechanical intervention—avoiding unnecessary excavation or premature pipe replacement.
| Cause | Warning Signs | Immediate Response | When to Call | Likely Diagnostic Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixture or supply-line leak | Puddling beneath cabinets, spinning water meter dials, water stains on ceilings, hissing inside walls. | Close the angle stop valve under the fixture. If unreachable, close the home main shutoff valve. | Call immediately if water penetrates flooring, drywall, or near electrical circuits. | Hydrostatic pressure testing, acoustic listening equipment, thermal imaging inspection. |
| Root intrusion or damaged sewer lateral | Gurgling toilets, slow drains across all ground-floor fixtures, persistent sewer odors, soggy patches in yard. | Cease all interior water usage immediately. Avoid chemical drain openers that damage old clay lines. | Call upon first sign of sewage rising in tubs or floor drains to avoid structural contamination. | High-definition sewer camera inspection through cleanout access, electronic pipe locating. |
| Heavy-rain-related backup or overflow | Basement floor drain bubbling during prolonged Willamette Valley rainstorms, storm drain backups. | Stop laundry, dishwashing, and showers. Clear debris from foundation downspout cleanouts. | Call when municipal or lateral hydrostatic pressure causes wastewater backflow into basements. | Camera scope to verify private lateral condition vs. city main capacity, backflow valve test. |
| Frozen or burst pipe | Frost on exposed lines in crawl spaces, no water flow during sub-freezing temperatures, loud banging sounds. | Shut main water valve before line thaws. Open interior faucets slightly to relieve internal pressure. | Call immediately before warming temperatures release pressurized water into framing and ceilings. | Visual crawl space inspection, pressure decay testing after isolation. |
| Water-heater failure | Rust-tinted hot water, popping or rumbling sounds from tank sediment, water pooling in drip pan. | Shut the cold-water inlet valve above the unit. Shut off circuit breaker or turn gas valve to pilot. | Call promptly when tank base leaks to prevent catastrophic 50-gallon flooding ruptures. | Heating element resistance test, thermocouple check, T&P relief valve inspection. |
Before recommending excavation, spot repairs, or hydrojetting, our master plumbers insert a self-leveling color fiber-optic camera into your lateral. We pinpoint tree roots, grease calcification, bellies, or joint shear. You see the live monitor footage before signing any repair scope.
Hydrojetting delivers up to 4,000 PSI of water to scour grease and slice invasive tree roots out of suitable pipes. However, hydrojetting cannot rebuild a collapsed line. If our camera reveals structural failure, we present trenchless CIPP lining or pipe bursting options instead.
Every Portland property presents distinct hydraulic and structural demands. From camera-guided drain clearing to whole-home PEX repiping, our Oregon-licensed technicians deliver code-compliant, permanent solutions.
Rapid dispatch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for burst pipes, uncontrolled water leaks, failed main valves, and severe sewage backups.
Comprehensive diagnostic repair and precision installation for conventional atmospheric gas, power-vent, electric, and heat-pump water heaters.
Enjoy endless on-demand hot water, lower monthly utility bills, and reclaim up to 16 square feet of floor space with high-efficiency tankless technology.
Comprehensive snaking, high-definition sewer camera diagnosis, and high-pressure hydro-jetting to clear persistent clogs, hair, grease, and root blockages.
Advanced trenchless pipe bursting, CIPP epoxy lining, and precision excavation to repair or replace cracked, bellied, or root-invaded sewer laterals without destroying your landscaping.
Replace deteriorating galvanized steel or leaky copper with clean, non-corrosive PEX-A or type L copper piping, restoring crisp water pressure and clean drinking water.
Professional repair and replacement for leaky kitchen faucets, running toilets, modern shower cartridges, garbage disposals, and high-efficiency bathroom fixtures.
Certified NW Natural gas pipe repair, electronic sniff leak detection, and precision installation for gas ranges, tankless water heaters, furnaces, and outdoor fire pits.
Fast 24/7 emergency response to locate, isolate, and permanently repair ruptured water supply lines in ceilings, crawlspaces, basements, and foundation walls.
Non-invasive thermal imaging, acoustic leak detection, and precision repair to halt hidden water damage in walls, ceilings, crawlspaces, and basements.
Immediate 24/7 dispatch to contain, unblock, and mechanically extract raw sewage overflows from bathtubs, basement floor drains, and utility rooms.
Keep basements and crawlspaces bone-dry through Portland's torrential rainy season with commercial-grade cast-iron sump pumps and dual-battery backup systems.
Safe electronic and thermal pipe thawing, burst pipe repair, and comprehensive winterization to protect your plumbing during Portland ice storms and arctic cold snaps.
Pinpoint underground and under-slab water line leaks with ultrasonic acoustics, thermal imaging, and tracer gas without unnecessary concrete jackhammering.
Fast, licensed commercial plumbing for restaurants, downtown high-rises, retail complexes, and multifamily residential buildings across Portland.
Portland contains more than 2,500 miles of public sewer pipe, and approximately one-third of this network is over 80 years old. In vintage neighborhoods like Sellwood, Irvington, Sunnyside, and Goose Hollow, private sewer laterals still consist of clay tile, bituminized fiber (Orangeburg), or aging cast iron.
Portland's lush urban tree canopy seeks out microscopic water vapor escaping through mortar joints in vintage clay lines. Hair-thin roots enter, expand, trap toilet paper and grease, and cause repeated sewer backups.
While the City of Portland's East Side Big Pipe and Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant protect the Willamette River, intense rainstorms still surcharge localized storm and sanitary branches. We install backwater valves to prevent city mains from backing into your basement.
Under City of Portland Environmental Services rules, property owners are responsible for the entire private lateral from the foundation to the city main connection. We perform camera inspections that verify exactly where defects reside before permits or excavation occur.
Competitors in the Portland metro area often conceal service pricing until they arrive at your door. We provide clear, researched local benchmark ranges so you can make informed decisions.
$85 – $165
Standard Portland service call benchmark. Often credited directly toward approved repairs.
$110 – $550
Standard snaking ($110–$375) to high-pressure hydrojetting ($250–$550) for heavy root or grease blockages.
$125 – $500
HD fiber-optic lateral inspection with video recording for accurate diagnosis before excavation.
$900 – $4,800
Tank replacements ($900–$2,600) to high-efficiency tankless installations ($1,600–$4,800) including permits.
*Disclaimer: The above figures are compiled from published Portland market surveys and serve as planning estimates. Exact investments depend on pipe access, depth, city permit requirements, and materials.
We stand apart from high-pressure corporate franchises. Here is our commitment to every customer:
When water is actively damaging your floors or ceiling, hours of waiting is unacceptable. Our downtown Portland dispatch hub allows our equipped service vans to reach Multnomah County addresses in minutes.
We never charge by the ambiguous hour. You receive an itemized, flat-rate written quote before any mechanical work begins. You approve the exact price before we start—no surprise markups.
Our technicians are Oregon CCB #234891 licensed, bonded, and continually trained in Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code compliance. We pull all required City of Portland Title 25 permits for you.
Founded with a mission to bring transparent, high-integrity plumbing craftsmanship to Portland households, United Plumbing PDX has grown into one of Multnomah County's most trusted local contractors.
Whether diagnosing root intrusion along vintage Eastside clay laterals, replacing leaking galvanized supply lines in Sellwood, or safely thawing frozen lines during a fierce Columbia Gorge cold snap, our technicians treat your home with the care and precision it deserves.
Plumbing work involves building structural integrity, public health, and drinking water safety. We operate with verifiable state credentials under Oregon law and assist homeowners through sudden water-loss claims.
Never rely on unverified badges. Under Oregon law, contractors must hold an active Construction Contractors Board license, and trade technicians must carry Building Codes Division (BCD) plumbing licenses.
License: Oregon CCB #234891
Specialty: Plumbing Specialty #PB-9421
Standard: 2023 Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC / 2021 UPC)
Verify at Oregon CCB PortalThe City of Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) mandates permits for water heater installations, sewer lateral replacements, whole-home repipes, and gas line runs. Minor fixture repairs (such as replacing a faucet cartridge) do not require permits.
United Plumbing PDX pulls, schedules, and closes every required city inspection on your behalf—protecting your homeowner insurance coverage and resale value.
When sudden burst pipes or sewer backups occur, insurance adjusters demand concrete proof of sudden mechanical failure vs. neglect. We provide:
*Note: We handle the mechanical plumbing repair. Structural drying and water extraction should be coordinated with an IICRC-certified restoration firm.
From our downtown Portland hub (621 SW 5th Ave), our service fleet reaches homeowners and commercial facilities across Oregon.
Multnomah County, OR
CountyGresham, OR
CityBeaverton, OR
CityTigard, OR
CityLake Oswego, OR
CityMilwaukie, OR
CityHappy Valley, OR
CityTualatin, OR
CityWest Linn, OR
CityOregon City, OR
CityGladstone, OR
CityFairview, OR
CityTroutdale, OR
CityWood Village, OR
CityAloha, OR
CDPCedar Mill, OR
CDPBethany, OR
CDPRaleigh Hills, OR
CDPOak Grove, OR
CDPClackamas, OR
CDPHillsboro, OR
CityWilsonville, OR
CitySherwood, OR
CityForest Grove, OR
CityCornelius, OR
CityCanby, OR
CitySandy, OR
CityEstacada, OR
CityMolalla, OR
CityKing City, OR
CityDurham, OR
CityNorth Plains, OR
CityBanks, OR
CityGaston, OR
CityScappoose, OR
CitySt. Helens, OR
CityNewberg, OR
CityDundee, OR
CityBoring, OR
CDPAurora, OR
City“A copper supply pipe burst in our crawlspace during the January freeze at 10 PM. Mark had a van at our house within 40 minutes! He shut off the water, replaced the broken section with Uponor PEX, and even helped us dry out the framing. Absolute lifesavers.”
David K.
Sellwood, Portland, OR
“Our basement sump pump stopped working in the middle of a torrential atmospheric river storm. United Plumbing PDX arrived quickly with a commercial cast-iron pump and auxiliary battery backup. Our basement stayed bone-dry while neighbors were pumping water.”
Jennifer M.
Beaverton, OR
“We had tree roots continuously choking our 1950s clay sewer line. Other contractors wanted to dig a trench straight through our prized landscaping. United Plumbing performed trenchless pipe bursting with zero yard destruction. Upfront pricing and zero surprises.”
Marcus L.
Gresham, OR
“Replaced our failing 50-gallon tank with a Navien tankless system. Endless hot water for our family of five, and our monthly NW Natural gas bill actually dropped. The installation was impeccably clean and passed city inspection on the first visit.”
Rachel & Thomas B.
Lake Oswego, OR
“Our 1940s home had old galvanized pipes with zero water pressure and rusty water. United Plumbing repiped the entire house in two days. Our shower pressure is fantastic now, and water was turned back on every evening during the job.”
Robert S.
Milwaukie, OR
“Kitchen sink had been draining slow for months. Chemical cleaners did nothing. The technician used a camera to show us the grease buildup, hydro-jetted the line clean, and gave us honest tips on maintenance. Highly recommended!”
Elena V.
Tigard, OR
Water spraying behind drywall can dump 10 gallons a minute. Here are the 5 immediate steps every Portland homeowner must take to stop flooding and prevent catastrophic structural rot.
Raw sewage backups pose severe health and contamination risks. Learn the immediate safety protocols, biohazard containment, and how to clear municipal or private lateral clogs.
From tripped breaker switches and extinguished pilot lights to failed heating elements and broken dip tubes, here is how to diagnose why your water heater stopped working.
Operating from 621 SW 5th Ave in Downtown Portland, our mobile service vans are strategically staged across Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties to guarantee rapid arrival times.
Business: United Plumbing PDX
Address (NAP): 621 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
24/7 Phone (NAP): (831) 290-4327
Hours: Open 24 Hours / 7 Days a Week (24/7 Emergency Dispatch)
Open Verified Google Business ProfileClear, transparent answers to Portland emergency shutoffs, costs, permits, camera inspections, and older home plumbing.
Close the nearest safe fixture valve or the home's main water valve. Move people and belongings away from the water when safe, keep clear of wet electrical areas, photograph the damage, and call a plumber. Do not force a corroded valve.
Stop using toilets, sinks, washers, and dishwashers. Keep people and pets away from wastewater, avoid drain chemicals, document the affected fixtures and rooms, and call for assessment. A recurring backup can require a camera inspection instead of another basic clearing.
A published Portland service-call estimate is $85-$165. Emergency plumber labor is estimated at $165-$325 per hour. Ask whether diagnostic fees, materials, disposal, permits, and emergency pricing are separate.
Published drain-cleaning estimates range from $110-$375. Another local estimate places drain clearing at $150-$320 and hydrojetting at $250-$550. The method depends on line condition, access, obstruction, equipment, and whether camera inspection is needed.
A sewer camera is useful for recurring clogs, backups, suspected roots, collapse, offsets, and repair-versus-replace decisions. The camera shows conditions inside the line instead of relying on symptoms alone. Published Portland camera inspection estimates range from $125-$500.
Published estimates place tank water-heater installation at $900-$2,600 and tankless installation at $1,600-$4,800. Another local estimate places water-heater work at $900-$2,800. Access, venting, electrical or gas requirements, materials, permits, testing, and disposal affect the final scope.
Yes, Portland generally requires permits for plumbing installation, alteration, repair, sewer systems, and water-service work. Water-heater replacement, concealed piping alterations, remodel plumbing, and many sewer connections can require permits, while minor fixture repairs often do not. Ask who will obtain and close the permit.
Published estimates place sewer repair at $1,200-$6,000 and sewer replacement at $4,000-$25,000. Access, length, depth, roots, collapse, surface restoration, method, permits, and camera findings affect the price. Request written repair, trenchless, partial replacement, and full replacement options when appropriate.
Yes, homeowners insurance can cover some sudden plumbing water damage, depending on policy language, exclusions, cause, mitigation duties, and deadlines. Contact the insurer or agent promptly and preserve photos, videos, diagnostic findings, invoices, permits, and cleanup records. A plumber can document the plumbing source but cannot promise coverage.
Ask for the exact Oregon CCB license and applicable Building Codes Division plumbing license, then verify both through official state records. Confirm insurance directly with the contractor, check current attributable reviews, and request written scope, permit responsibility, testing, warranty, and payment terms.
Portland plumbers typically provide leak detection, drain cleaning, hydrojetting, sewer camera inspection, sewer repair, water-heater installation, fixture repair, repiping, and commercial plumbing. Planned work can include remodel plumbing, ADU plumbing, trenchless sewer replacement, restaurant kitchens, and water-service work. Confirm the provider's actual capabilities before dispatch.
Use camera findings and pipe condition to separate cleaning from repair or replacement. Cleaning addresses suitable buildup, repair addresses a defined failed section, and replacement addresses extensive deterioration, collapse, or repeated failure. Ask for written evidence, access limits, and two options when replacement is proposed.
Call our 24/7 Portland emergency dispatch now at (831) 290-4327 or schedule a written flat-rate estimate online.
