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Clackamas Plumber
24/7 Emergency Plumbing — Drains, Sewer Lines, Water Heaters & More
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customer reviews
Clackamas’s Best Local Plumber
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“Very professional. Fixed our problem at a very reasonable price. We will use them for future plumbing needs.”
Gay Lynn Calonge“Quick service, efficient and professional”
Jacques Riby“Mick did an excellent job and genuinely helped me and made an effort to make it affordable too.”
Chase Bains“As always professional and great experience.”
Stacey Lynn -
“Dustin and Tanner did an excellent job, the very best!”
Connie Harris“Tyler and I think David did a good job today would definitely use them again.”
Randy Jamison“The plumber was very professional and quickly resolved the plumbing problem. The cost was reasonable.”
Karla Obenhaus“They arrived within hours after calling them. Their work was done quickly and professionally with very little mess. They did an amazing job cleaning up afterwards”
Robert Blount -
“On time, very professional.”
Bernie Katz“They responded and scheduled my service call with in minutes of my request. The team was very professional and checked different areas to find the source of my issue. They had my problem solved quickly.”
Lisa Vogel“Josh and Ricky were awesome. Great attention to detail, efficient in their work and impeccable workmanship. Very conscientious and seemed genuine in their effort to provide a quality product & service at a reasonable price. We highly recommend these two!”
Mike Rochelle“Mick was kind and efficient with good know-how. He also was thorough in his work and his explanations of what went wrong. 10/10”
John Byfield
Professional Plumbing Services
Residential & Commercial Plumbing Contractor
Hire a Local Clackamas Plumber
5-Star Plumbing Service Guarantee
We Deliver Same-Day Service When You Need Help Now
Tony Sarkinen started as an apprentice plumber and journeyman in 1991 and got his experience with several companies throughout Clark County. In 2003, Tony opened his own business which was built on hard work and exceptional customer service. He wanted a business where all his employees treat their customers the way he wanted to be treated. Tony Sarkinen has achieved those goals. Today, the Sarkinen Plumbing team continues to grow and serve the Portland, Oregon, and SW Washington communities in the same manner as when Tony began the company all those years ago. To ensure all work is up to industry standards, our technicians provide our signature 5-star plumbing service and follow our exceptional code of ethics.
Simply put, we are here to provide you and your family with incredible customer service. Sarkinen Plumbing provides quality service to our customers with name-brand reliable products. Our technicians have everything they need to conduct a fast, efficient, and clean work area no matter where the job. We guarantee our work from start to finish and follow up to assure everything is to your satisfaction.
READ MORE ABOUT USClackamas Plumbing Experts
Galvanized Pipe Corrosion in Clackamas Ranch Homes
The ranch home is Clackamas’s signature housing type, and the galvanized steel supply line is its signature plumbing problem. Thousands of ranch homes built across the Sunnyside corridor and around Mount Scott during the 1960s and 1970s were plumbed with galvanized steel — the standard residential supply pipe material of that era. These pipes are now 50 to 60 years old, and the internal corrosion that has been building since the day they were installed has reached a tipping point in homes across the community. The zinc coating that once protected the steel interior is long gone, and the bare steel has been corroding for decades, building thick rings of rust and mineral scale that progressively narrow the pipe’s functional diameter. A pipe that started at three-quarters of an inch may now deliver water through an opening the size of a drinking straw.
Clackamas homeowners typically notice the problem as a gradual decline in water pressure that they attribute to municipal supply issues until a plumber tells them otherwise. Rusty or discolored water when faucets are first turned on each morning is another telltale sign — the rust flakes that have accumulated overnight flush out with the first flow. We diagnose galvanized pipe condition by inspecting exposed sections in the crawl space, testing pressure and flow at multiple fixtures, and in some cases cutting a short test section to examine the interior. When the diagnosis confirms what we almost always find — pipes corroded well beyond their useful life — we recommend a whole-home repipe to PEX. The crawl space access typical of Clackamas ranch homes makes repiping straightforward, and most single-story homes are completed in two days with minimal wall penetration.
Get a repipe consultation
Split-Level Plumbing Repairs in Clackamas Homes
Clackamas’s split-level homes — concentrated along the Sunnyside corridor and in the neighborhoods south of Mount Scott — present plumbing challenges that single-story ranch homes do not share. The split-level design places living spaces on three or four staggered half-levels, with bathrooms and kitchens positioned on different tiers. Supply lines must rise vertically through interior walls to reach upper-level fixtures, and drain lines must navigate the half-level transitions at precise slopes to maintain proper flow. When a supply riser develops a pinhole leak inside the wall between the main level and the upper half-level, the water can travel along framing members for feet before emerging at a visible surface — by which time significant damage may have occurred behind the drywall.
Our technicians approach split-level repairs in Clackamas with a diagnostic-first method that minimizes unnecessary wall opening. We use acoustic leak detection to listen for the sound of pressurized water escaping a pipe, thermal imaging to identify moisture patterns behind walls, and pressure isolation tests to determine which branch of the supply system is losing water. Only after we have narrowed the location to a specific wall cavity do we cut an access opening — and we plan that opening along framing lines so the drywall patch is clean and structural. For drain problems between half-levels, camera inspection from the nearest cleanout or fixture drain reveals the condition and slope of the connecting pipe without any wall demolition at all. This precision approach saves Clackamas homeowners both money and the frustration of unnecessary repair to their finished spaces.
Request leak detection service
Johnson Creek Flood Zone Plumbing Protection in Clackamas
The Johnson Creek corridor running through northern Clackamas is one of the Portland metro’s most flood-prone residential areas. The creek, which flows west from the Boring lava domes through Clackamas and Milwaukie before joining the Willamette, regularly overtops its banks during heavy winter rain events. Homes along Johnson Creek Boulevard and in the low-lying neighborhoods adjacent to the creek face a specific plumbing threat during flood events: sewer backflow. When floodwaters inundate the municipal sewer system, the mains become pressurized with a mixture of stormwater and sewage. Without a backflow prevention device on the home’s sewer lateral, that contaminated water can push backward through the lateral and into the home through floor drains, toilets, and any below-grade fixture.
We install backflow prevention devices for Clackamas homeowners in the Johnson Creek flood zone as a priority measure. The device uses a valve mechanism that allows normal wastewater to exit the home but blocks any reverse flow during flood events. We also install battery-backup sump pump systems for homes where flood-stage groundwater enters crawl spaces through foundation walls and footings. The battery backup is essential because power outages frequently accompany the same storms that cause flooding, and a primary sump pump on grid power alone offers no protection when it is needed most. Every flood protection installation we perform in the Johnson Creek corridor includes annual testing to verify that valves, pumps, floats, and batteries are functioning correctly before the wet season begins.
Ask about flood protection
Water Heater Replacement and Code Upgrades in Clackamas
Many Clackamas homes are on their second or third water heater, and each replacement reflects the code standards of the era when it was installed. A water heater put in during the 1990s may have been strapped with a single strap when current code requires two, may lack a thermal expansion tank that protects the system from pressure surges when the water heater heats a closed system, and may vent through a single-wall connector that current code now requires to be double-wall or B-vent within certain clearances of combustible materials. When we replace a water heater in Clackamas, we do not just swap one tank for another — we bring the entire installation into compliance with current Clackamas County code.
The code upgrades add a modest amount to the replacement cost but provide meaningful safety and performance improvements. Proper dual earthquake strapping prevents the tank from toppling during seismic events — a real consideration in Oregon’s Cascadia Subduction Zone. A thermal expansion tank absorbs the pressure increase that occurs when water is heated in a closed system, protecting the tank, fittings, and plumbing throughout the home from excessive pressure. Proper combustion air supply and venting clearances reduce fire risk and ensure complete combustion that does not produce carbon monoxide in the living space. We explain each code requirement in plain language during the estimate so Clackamas homeowners understand what they are getting and why it matters. There are no hidden line items — every element of the installation is disclosed and priced upfront.
Schedule water heater service
Kitchen Drain Clogs in Clackamas’s Older Neighborhoods
Kitchen drains in Clackamas homes built during the 1960s through the early 1980s share a common vulnerability: they are galvanized steel. The same corrosion process that narrows galvanized supply lines also roughens and constricts galvanized drain lines, but the consequences manifest differently. Supply line corrosion reduces water pressure gradually. Drain line corrosion creates a progressively narrower passage that traps grease, food particles, and soap residue until a full blockage forms. In Sunnyside and Mount Scott kitchens, where decades of family cooking have sent countless meals’ worth of grease and food waste down the drain, the galvanized kitchen drain line is often the first plumbing component to completely fail — not with a dramatic leak, but with a stubborn clog that no amount of drain cleaner can resolve.
We advise Clackamas homeowners against chemical drain cleaners for galvanized pipes because the caustic chemicals can accelerate the corrosion that caused the problem in the first place. Instead, our drain cleaning service uses a mechanical cable to clear the blockage, followed by a camera inspection to assess the drain’s overall condition. If the pipe is merely dirty but structurally sound, a thorough cleaning restores flow and annual maintenance prevents recurrence. If the camera reveals a pipe so corroded and narrowed that it will clog again within months, we recommend replacing the galvanized section with PVC — a straightforward job in most Clackamas ranch homes where the kitchen drain is accessible from the crawl space. The PVC replacement eliminates the recurring clog cycle permanently, and the smooth interior surface resists the grease buildup that plagued the original pipe for decades.
Book drain cleaning
Why Clackamas Homeowners Choose Sarkinen
Upfront, Fair Pricing
No hidden fees, no overtime charges. You get a clear, written price before any work begins. Same rate day or night.
Licensed in WA & OR
Dual-state licensing (WA #SARKIPI946MF, OR #170052) means we serve the entire Portland-Vancouver metro.
24/7 Emergency Service
We answer the phone day and night. A licensed plumber is dispatched immediately — at your door within 60-90 minutes.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Every repair backed by our workmanship guarantee. Background-checked, drug-tested plumbers who treat your home with care.
Serving Every Clackamas Neighborhood
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Contact Sarkinen Plumbing
- Services in Portland
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Meet Our Team of Professionals
Carlos
Plumbing Helper
Ciro
Plumbing Technician
Dylan
Plumbing Technician
Matthew F
Plumbing Technician
Mick C
Plumbing Technician
Mike
Plumbing Technician
Robert
Plumbing Technician
Sebastian
Plumbing Technician
Tim
Standard Shop Technician
Ricky
Camera Technician
Marco G
Camera Technician
Alex G
Drain Technician
Leighton
Drain Technician
Chris D
Drain Technician
Michael W
Drain Technician
Clackamas Plumbing Questions & Answers
We approach split-level plumbing repairs with a minimally invasive strategy. Before opening any walls, we use camera equipment, pressure testing, and acoustic leak detection to pinpoint the exact location of the problem. When we do need to access pipes inside walls between half-levels, we plan our access openings carefully to minimize drywall removal and make patching straightforward. Our goal is always to complete the repair with the smallest possible footprint of disruption to your finished spaces.
Galvanized steel supply lines typically last 40 to 60 years, depending on water chemistry and usage patterns. Since most Clackamas homes with galvanized plumbing were built between 1965 and 1985, these pipes are now 40 to 60 years old — right at or past the end of their expected life. If you are experiencing low water pressure, rusty water, or pinhole leaks, your galvanized pipes are telling you it is time for a repipe. We recommend PEX as the replacement material for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion.
Yes. We work with individual condo and townhome owners as well as HOA management companies in the Town Center area. Multi-unit buildings have specific plumbing considerations — shared walls, stacked plumbing risers, and limited access points — that require experience and coordination. We communicate with building management when needed and carry appropriate insurance for multi-unit work.
If your home is in the Johnson Creek flood zone or has experienced sewer backup during heavy rain events, a backflow prevention device is a highly recommended investment. These devices prevent sewage from the overwhelmed main line from backing up through your lateral and into your home. We install both interior and exterior backflow preventers depending on your plumbing configuration and provide annual testing to ensure they function properly when you need them most.
If your water heater is currently in the crawl space, we can replace it there — but we often recommend relocating it to the garage if possible. Crawl space water heaters are difficult to maintain, more prone to moisture-related corrosion, and create a significant flooding risk if the tank ruptures in a confined space. We evaluate each situation individually and present options that balance convenience, safety, and cost.
Schedule Your Clackamas Plumbing Service
Licensed in Oregon (#170052). Same rate day or night. Call now or book online.
Plumbing Services Near You
- Vancouver 360-369-3586
- Portland 503-925-3504
Vancouver Location
Proudly Serving
Portland and Vancouver
from Wilsonville to Longview &
Hillsboro to Gresham
UBI # 602-521-027
OR Contractor Lic# 170052 (CCB)
WA Contractor Lic# SARKIPI946MF
OR Plumber Lic# PB115
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4.6 stars - Based on 227 Reviews
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Contact Information
Sarkinen PlumbingVancouver
9502 NE 72nd Ave
Vancouver, WA 98665
Phone: 360-369-3586
Portland
Phone: 503-925-3504
Hours of Operation
Monday - Sunday 24-hours