Business Details
35 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Seattle Plumbing & Sewer Repair Experts
Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter has served the Greater Seattle area for over 30 years as a family-owned business committed to excellence in plumbing, sewer, and drain services. Founded in 1991, we combine decades of hands-on experience with cutting-edge trenchless technology to deliver minimally invasive solutions for residential and commercial clients. Our team of licensed technicians undergoes rigorous training and background checks, ensuring reliable service for emergencies, inspections, and complex repairs.We prioritize transparency with upfront pricing, a satisfaction guarantee, and free sewer camera inspections with every cleaning. As a community partner with Mainstay, we support initiatives empowering disabled individuals through employment. Our core valuesintegrity, teamwork, and commitment to excellencedrive our mission to provide fast, honest, and competent service while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and trust.
Services
Plumbing Repair
Sewer Repair
Drain Cleaning
Trenchless Sewer Repair
Sewer Camera Inspection
Water Main Repair
Sump Pump Installation
Water Heater Repair
Rooter Service
Pipe Bursting
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing and sewer services for urgent needs.
- Our team uses advanced trenchless technology for minimally invasive repairs.
- We provide free sewer camera inspections with every cleaning service.
- Our technicians are licensed, trained, and undergo rigorous background checks.
- We guarantee all workmanship and parts for customer satisfaction.
What people say
Fast emergency response
Professional technicians
Thorough inspections
Transparent pricing
Excellent cleanup
Services
Plumbing Repair
Our plumbing repair specialists address leaks, clogs, and fixture issues for residential and commercial properties. We handle emergency repairs, pipe replacement, and preventative maintenance using high-quality materials. Our technicians diagnose problems quickly to minimize water damage risks and restore functionality to your plumbing system.
Trenchless Sewer Repair
Trenchless sewer repair eliminates the need for disruptive excavation through methods like pipe lining and bursting. We restore damaged sewer lines by creating a new pipe within the old one or replacing it entirely with minimal landscaping impact. This technology reduces repair time to a single day in most cases.
Drain Cleaning
Professional drain cleaning removes blockages using high-pressure hydro jetting and mechanical snakes. We clear tree roots, grease buildup, and debris from residential and commercial drainage systems. Our non-chemical approach protects pipe integrity while ensuring long-lasting flow improvements for kitchen, bathroom, and main sewer lines.
Sewer Camera Inspection
Sewer camera inspections use high-resolution robotic cameras to identify cracks, root intrusion, and blockages in underground pipes. This diagnostic tool allows precise problem identification without excavation. We provide real-time video analysis and recommend targeted repair solutions based on inspection findings.
Water Main Repair
Water main repair addresses leaks and breaks in municipal supply lines and private property connections. Our technicians use specialized equipment to locate and fix issues with galvanized steel, copper, or PVC water lines. We perform repairs with minimal disruption to your property's landscaping and infrastructure.
People
Bob Oates Plumbing Sewer & Rooter
Founder
Bob Oates established the company in 1991 after relocating from New York to Ballard. He built a reputation for integrity and quality service, creating a family-run business that now serves the entire Puget Sound region with advanced plumbing solutions.
John
General Manager
As son-in-law to founder Bob Oates, John serves as General Manager overseeing daily operations. He ensures the company maintains its commitment to exceptional customer service while implementing modern trenchless technologies for improved repair efficiency.
Questions
What are common signs I need sewer repair?
Frequent backups, gurgling sounds, sewage odors, wet spots in yards, or slow drains across multiple fixtures indicate potential sewer line issues requiring professional inspection.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency plumbing and sewer services with technicians available for urgent issues like sudden backups or pipe bursts at any hour.
What trenchless repair methods do you use?
We employ pipe lining to create new pipes within old ones and pipe bursting to replace damaged lines. Both methods minimize excavation while providing durable, long-term solutions for sewer system issues.
Are permits required for sewer work?
Yes, Seattle side sewer repairs typically require permits. Our team handles the permitting process, ensuring all repairs comply with local building codes and regulations.
How long do sewer repairs take?
Trenchless repairs often complete in one day. Traditional excavation projects may take longer depending on site conditions and required restoration work for landscaping or hardscaping.
Do you guarantee your work?
We guarantee all services and parts, standing behind our repairs with warranties that cover both materials and workmanship for customer satisfaction assurance.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Saili R.
Jun 28, 2022
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Ryan and Henry were fast and great and super friendly when our pipe was leaking! Really appreciate the great work they did!
Kathy S.
Jun 15, 2022
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This is the best plumbing company we have ever had come to our house. The crew is wonderful. They have done a great, professional job on our main sewer line and kitchen lines. We had a major plumbing problem that was taken care of. We are very happy!
M. R.
Jun 14, 2022
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I have had really painful experiences with trades companies. I was recently screwed over by a different plumbing company (I wont name names), so when I needed a new water line run to my refrigerator, I didn't know what to do. I gave it some thought and realized that I see Bob Oates vans around my neighborhood pretty regularly. I gave them a call and they swung by next day to give me an estimate, gave it to me right there on the spot, gave me a tip to save me hundreds of dollars, and were able to come run the line in two business days from then.
They didn't try to pull any tricks, no scheming, no feeling of being taken advantage of because I'm a single female-- it was so refreshing to get work done by a company who treats me with respect, and I was more than happy to give them my business. I'll be calling them if I have any issues in the future. Thank you Corey and Bob Oates team!
They didn't try to pull any tricks, no scheming, no feeling of being taken advantage of because I'm a single female-- it was so refreshing to get work done by a company who treats me with respect, and I was more than happy to give them my business. I'll be calling them if I have any issues in the future. Thank you Corey and Bob Oates team!
Tom R.
Jun 02, 2022
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Bob Oates Plumbing & Sewer came in November of 2021 to put in an instant hot water tank/sewage lines and gas lines to my stove but in late May of 2022 the job was still incomplete. I am on the verge of having to not only buy a new hot water tank but also having to hire a plumber to put it in because they installed the old one wrong, and it blew up in the middle of winter. Even though they promised to come out and fix the problems, I'm still waiting for an appointment to finish the job. Making sure the job passes permits and codes for the customer is not high priority for Bob Oates Plumbing.
Not sure why Bob Oates walked off the job but I would think twice about hiring a company that without any kind of explanation, just walks away, doesn't return phone calls, doesn't answer texts and doesn't finish what they started.
Not sure why Bob Oates walked off the job but I would think twice about hiring a company that without any kind of explanation, just walks away, doesn't return phone calls, doesn't answer texts and doesn't finish what they started.
Vaidy K.
May 25, 2022
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My garbage disposal wouldn't turn on and I called Bob Oates. They send a plumber who without taking a look tells me that the only way to fix this is to swap out the machine with a new one and gives me an invoice of $600+ dollars. I was disappointed by the lack of research. I asked him, " would you mind spending just five minutes identifying what the problem could be before making a conclusion".
And he says we don't do that. So I let him go and called Joe's 2 sons plumbing. they came, spent 10 minutes and fixed everything for no charge. Unbelievable service and earned my future business by establishing themselves as trusted advisors.
And he says we don't do that. So I let him go and called Joe's 2 sons plumbing. they came, spent 10 minutes and fixed everything for no charge. Unbelievable service and earned my future business by establishing themselves as trusted advisors.
Alex B. H.
May 16, 2022
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They do not pull permits for work performed. Be careful and make sure they pull permits when required as most work, even replacing a water heater requires permits.
