Tacoma Water, part of Tacoma Public Utilities, draws mainly from the Green River, and the water is soft. Soft water is gentle on fixtures and water heaters but can be more corrosive to copper and older metal pipe over time. Long rainy seasons test basement drainage, and occasional Arctic outbreaks freeze pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls.
Housing & construction
Early-1900s Craftsman and Victorian homes in the North End and Hilltop, mid-century homes in the South End, and newer townhomes and apartments.
Plumbing services in Tacoma
Also common in Tacoma: sump pump repair, pipe repair.
What makes Tacoma plumbing different
Old side sewers on slopes
Clay laterals on hilly lots crack, separate and fill with roots.
Basement drainage
Months of rain keep sump pumps and perimeter drains busy.
Soft water
Little scale, but older copper and galvanized pipe can corrode and pinhole.
Occasional hard freezes
Crawl spaces and exterior-wall pipes are vulnerable during cold snaps.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for Tacoma
- Rainy season (fall–spring)Test sump pumps and keep downspouts and drains clear.
- Winter cold snapsInsulate crawl space pipes and disconnect hoses.
Plumbing emergency in Tacoma?
- 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.
Tacoma plumbing questions
Who maintains the side sewer in Tacoma?
Property owners are generally responsible for the side sewer from the house to the public main. Confirm details with the city.
Is Tacoma water hard?
No, Tacoma’s Green River supply is soft. Scale is rarely an issue, but corrosion of older pipe can be.
Do Tacoma basements need sump pumps?
Many do, especially on lots where groundwater rises during the long rainy season.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around Tacoma, including University Place, Lakewood, Fircrest, Fife, Puyallup, Gig Harbor.
