Sinks, showers and tubs
A new kitchen or bathroom sink needs hot and cold supply stops, a faucet, a drain with a trap and a vent that works. We check that the existing stops are in good shape, since an old valve that will not close can turn a simple swap into a leak. Disposal and dishwasher hookups are handled in the same visit when you want them.
Showers and tubs are bigger. The valve is set in the wall at the right depth for the trim, the drain and overflow are connected and tested, and the walls often have to be open to do it. Water is tested before tile or surround goes up, so a bad connection is found while it is still easy to fix. A faulty valve in an older fixture belongs on our faucet repair page.
Washer and dryer hookups
A washer needs hot and cold supply valves and a standpipe drain with a trap. A new laundry location means running both, and sometimes a pan and drain for an upstairs machine. A dryer hookup is mostly venting and power, which are not plumbing, so ask your contractor or an electrician about the dryer side.
We can install a box with shutoff valves that are easy to reach, so a hose failure does not flood the room. Use braided hoses, replace them every few years, and turn the valves off when you leave for a long trip. A washer hookup near a bedroom or on a second floor deserves a drain pan.
Replacing an S-trap with a P-trap
An S-trap drops down and then goes back up into the wall, which can siphon the water out of the trap and let sewer gas into the room. A P-trap leaves the trap and goes straight into the wall, with a vent to keep air moving. Homes of the 1970s and 1980s sometimes still have S-traps from the original build or from later DIY work.
Converting one often means changing the drain in the wall, adding a vent or installing an air admittance valve where the rules allow. Rules vary, so ask the building department for your address. We tell you what the fix would involve before we start, and what we can and cannot do in your wall.
Reinstalling a sink after a countertop job
Countertop installers pull the sink, faucet, disposal and dishwasher line, and plumbers put them back. This is a common call, and the timing matters. A fabricator may take a day or several to cut and set stone, and you do not want to be without a kitchen sink longer than needed.
We reconnect the supply lines, set the faucet, reattach the drain and trap, hook up the disposal and the dishwasher drain, and test for leaks. Tell us the countertop date, whether the sink is undermount, and what fixtures you are using so we bring the right parts. Never let the sink hang from its rim until the adhesive and clips have set.
Adding or remodeling a bathroom
A bathroom addition needs supply lines, a drain with proper slope, a vent and a path for each fixture. Adding a bathroom near existing plumbing is far easier than adding one at the far end of the house. A basement bathroom may need a pump, since drains cannot always run downhill to the sewer.
We look at where the existing lines are, what the drain can carry, and where walls and floors can be opened. Then we tell you what is possible, what is hard and what could change the price. If the supply lines are old and you are opening the walls anyway, a repipe of that section may be worth pricing at the same time.
| Job | Best when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Fixture swap on existing lines | Same location, sound valves and drain | Quick, but a worn stop valve may need replacing too |
| Washer hookup in a new spot | Moving the laundry or adding a second unit | Needs supply, drain and trap, and sometimes wall access |
| S-trap to P-trap conversion | A sink that gurgles or loses its trap seal | May need drain and vent changes inside the wall |
| Bathroom addition | Space near existing supply and drain lines | Farther from the stack means more cutting and cost |
| Shower or tub install | Remodel with walls already open | Must be pressure tested before tile or surround goes up |
Working with your contractor: timing matters
Plumbing happens in two stages. Rough-in goes in before walls are closed and drywall goes up. Finish plumbing, the fixtures and trim, comes after tile, paint and cabinets. Missing either window costs time, because a wall that is closed must be opened again.
- Share the plan early. Send fixture models, layout drawings and delivery dates so we can order parts and plan the visit.
- Schedule rough-in before drywall. Walls open, pipes in, pressure test done.
- Hold the inspection if one is needed. Permit rules vary, so ask the building department for your address. Do not close walls until you know.
- Return for finish. Fixtures are set after surfaces are done, and we test the system again.
Fixtures that arrive late are the most common delay. Have the faucet, valve trim and drain parts on site before we come.
New construction rough-in and finish
For new construction, we can discuss rough-in and finish plumbing on small projects, such as an addition or a detached space. Large builds and multiple-home projects are outside what we usually do. Call the dispatcher with the scope and the schedule, and we tell you honestly whether it fits.
Permits, inspections and what we will tell you
Whether your job needs a permit, and what inspection follows, depends on the work and the building department for your address. We do not guess at those rules on a web page. Call the department, or ask the dispatcher what we usually need for the type of job you have.
Unpermitted work can cause problems at resale or with an insurance claim. If a permit is required, plan for it in your schedule.
Washington's state plumbing code, chapter 51-56 of the Washington Administrative Code, is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). Whether your job needs a permit or an inspection is a question for the building department that covers your address, because rules and local amendments vary.
Gas line work is not covered here
This page does not cover gas line installation or repair. Ask the dispatcher whether gas work is available for your job. If you smell gas, leave the building, then call 911 or your gas utility before you call us. A gas leak is an emergency and the gas utility comes first.
What affects the price of installation
Cost factors for plumbing installation
Installing a faucet is one price and rebuilding a bathroom is another, so we look at the job first. You get a clear price before work starts.
Insurance note: planned remodel work is almost never covered, and sudden water damage from a failed connection may be. Read your policy.
We serve Mill Creek and nearby towns, including Bothell. If your project involves a new water heater, see our water heater installation page.
Plumbing installation questions from Mill Creek homeowners
How much does plumbing installation cost?
It depends on how many fixtures are involved, what the existing plumbing looks like, how easy the walls are to open and whether a permit is needed. We give a clear price before work starts.
Can you hook up my washer and dryer?
We handle the water supply and the drain for the washer. Dryer venting and power are not plumbing, so your contractor or an electrician covers those.
Can you reinstall my sink after the countertop is set?
Yes. We reconnect the faucet, supply lines, drain and trap, then the disposal and dishwasher line, and test for leaks. Tell us your countertop date so we can schedule.
Do I need a permit for a new sink or bathroom?
It depends on the work and your address. Permit rules vary, so ask the building department. We tell you what the job involves so you can ask the right questions.
Can you convert my S-trap to a P-trap?
Usually, but it can involve changing the drain and venting in the wall. We look at your setup and tell you what the fix needs.
Do you do gas line installation?
Not on this page. Ask the dispatcher whether gas work is available for your job. If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911 or your gas utility first.
Can you work with my general contractor?
Yes. We coordinate rough-in and finish visits with the schedule. Late fixtures are the usual cause of delay, so send the model numbers early.
Do you take after-hours calls for a leaking new connection?
Yes. The 24/7 line takes calls whenever a connection leaks, and we book same-day appointments when available.