Who to call for leaks, clogs, sewer lines, water heaters, frozen pipes and after-hours emergencies in Bend, plus the local details that change the job here, from soft water and backflow testing to septic-to-sewer costs.
8 plumbers comparedUpdated October 1, 2026
Quick picks
What's going on?
Pick the closest match. For an active leak, shut off the water first if you safely can.
For an active leak or sewer backup, stop the water if you safely can and call an emergency-capable plumber. For a recurring drain problem, prioritize camera diagnosis. For a remodel, repipe or water-heater replacement, compare written scope, permits, warranty and what finish work is excluded.
Emergency / after-hours: compare Severson, Mr. Rooter and Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical.
Drain + sewer: compare Mr. Rooter and Renew / Renew Rooter.
General residential plumbing: compare Sunset, Deschutes Plumbing, Severson, Renew, Stark and Detweiler.
Remodel / larger project: compare Deschutes Plumbing, Sunset, Stark and other licensed contractors that clearly scope permits and coordination.
Bend Local Services FinderNot an emergency? Get quotes
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Family-run Central Oregon plumbing company founded in 1977. Severson currently advertises residential and commercial plumbing, leak detection, drain cleaning, camera inspections, water heaters, repairs and 24/7 emergency service.
24/7 emergency service
Leak detection
Drain cleaning
Camera inspections
Water heaters
Best for: Emergency & broad service. Full-service residential and commercial plumbing with 24/7 emergency service advertised.
Local plumbing company serving Bend and Central Oregon with general residential and commercial plumbing, water heaters, fixtures, frozen pipes, gas piping, remodels and drain/sewer work through Renew Rooter.
24/7 plumbing provider with a strong drain and sewer focus. Current services include emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, camera inspections, hydro jetting, sewer repair, trenchless sewer options, water heaters and general plumbing repair.
24/7 service
Drain cleaning
Sewer cameras
Hydro jetting
Trenchless sewer
Best for: Drain & sewer. 24/7 service with drain cleaning, camera inspection, hydro jetting, sewer repair and trenchless options.
Bend plumbing and gas contractor serving Central Oregon. Current services include residential repairs, water supply and sewer line work, repiping, water heaters, gas lines, and kitchen and bathroom remodel plumbing.
Made for Bend Local research. Useful context. No fluff.
Researched by All Things BendUpdated Oct 1, 2026
Quick answer
For an active leak or sewer backup, stop the water if you safely can and call an emergency-capable plumber. For a recurring drain problem, prioritize camera diagnosis. For a remodel, repipe or water-heater replacement, compare written scope, permits, warranty and what finish work is excluded.
Most plumbing advice online could be about any town. This guide is written for Bend: three different water providers, unusually soft city water, a city-owned backflow assembly at nearly every meter, neighborhoods still moving from septic to city sewer, and winters cold enough to split a hose bib overnight. Use the list above to pick who to call, then use the sections below to understand what a Bend plumber is actually dealing with at your house.
A typical Bend winter morning. Cold snaps like this are when pipes in garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls freeze. Photo: All Things Bend.
Before you choose: For anything beyond a simple repair, ask for the diagnosis, whether pricing is flat-rate or time-and-materials, what is excluded, who handles permits, what warranty applies, and what could increase the final price.
Specialty plumbing guides for Bend
Some jobs need a specialist, or a Bend-specific answer. Start here:
A plumber fixes pipes on your side of the meter. Your water provider handles the main and the meter itself, and the gas utility handles gas odors. Save the ones that apply to your address.
Who
When to call
Number
City of Bend Water Services
Water problem at the meter or in the street, backflow questions
541-317-3000, ext. 2
Avion Water Company
Avion customers. An answering service dispatches an on-call technician after hours
541-382-5342
Roats Water System
Roats customers in south Bend. Advertises 24/7 emergency field service
541-382-3029
Cascade Natural Gas
Gas odor or suspected leak, 24-hour emergency line
888-522-1130
City of Bend Building (plumbing permits)
Permit questions inside city limits
541-388-5580, ext. 2
Deschutes County Community Development
Septic tank abandonment permits and properties outside city limits
541-388-6519
Not sure who your water provider is? Check the name on your water bill. The City of Bend serves about 80,000 people, Avion Water serves about 35,000 across Deschutes and Crook counties, and Roats serves about 6,400 in south Bend.
Plumbing emergency? Do these things first
If water is actively flowing where it should not be, the first goal is to limit damage.
Shut off the closest fixture valve if the leak is isolated.
If that does not stop it, shut off the home’s main water supply.
Move valuables away from the water.
Avoid electrical equipment, outlets or panels if water is present nearby.
Call a plumber and clearly explain whether water is still flowing.
If you cannot find or turn your main shutoff, call your water provider at the number above and ask about an emergency shutoff at the meter.
For a gas odor, Cascade Natural Gas says to get everyone out (pets included), leave the door open behind you, and call 888-522-1130 from outside, away from the building. Do not use a phone, light switch or anything electrical inside. If gas has ignited, call 911.
Which kind of plumber do you actually need?
Problem
What to look for
Burst pipe or active leak
Emergency-capable service plumber
One clogged sink or tub
General plumber or drain service
Multiple fixtures backing up
Drain/sewer specialist with camera capability
Repeated sewer clog
Camera inspection before repeated clearing
Water-heater leak or failure
Plumber experienced with your heater type
Bathroom / kitchen remodel
Contractor experienced with permits + trade coordination
Repeated leaks or old piping
Repiping evaluation and more than one opinion
Frozen pipe
Service plumber familiar with Central Oregon winter issues
Septic to sewer connection
Plumber and excavator who have done City of Bend conversions
What makes plumbing in Bend different
Bend water is soft, so be skeptical of a softener pitch
The City of Bend reports its water usually falls between 0.99 and 1.46 grains of hardness per gallon, which is soft to slightly hard. In many cities, scale from hard water is what kills water heaters and clogs fixtures. That is much less of a factor on City of Bend water, so if someone quotes you a whole-house softener as a must-have, ask them to show you a hardness test from your own tap first.
That figure is for City of Bend water. Avion and Roats customers are on separate systems and should check their own provider’s water quality report. Our Bend tap water guide goes deeper on what is in the water.
A creek in the Cascades west of Bend. City water is a mix of surface water from the Municipal Watershed and groundwater filtered through volcanic rock. Photo: All Things Bend.
No lead service lines were found in the City’s inventory
The City of Bend’s 2024 Lead Service Line Inventory found no lead service lines, and no galvanized lines requiring replacement, in either the public or private portions of its system. That does not rule out old fixtures or solder inside an individual house, but it means a plumber in Bend is rarely chasing a lead service line.
Your meter has a backflow assembly, which is why expansion tanks matter here
Each City of Bend residential water meter is installed with a city-owned backflow assembly. It protects the public water supply, but it also means water heated in your tank cannot push back toward the main. The City says an expansion tank is required when you replace or add a water heater, installed on the cold water inlet. See our expansion tank and pressure guide. If a water-heater quote in Bend does not mention the expansion tank, ask about it.
Irrigation backflow testing is required every year
If you have a sprinkler system, you have a second backflow assembly that belongs to you. State rule and City of Bend code require it to be tested at installation, every year after, and after any repair or relocation, by an Oregon Health Authority certified tester. In 2020 the City counted more than 18,000 privately owned assemblies in Bend, so this applies to a lot of homes.
The due date is on the letter the City mails you, and it can differ from your neighbor’s.
Most testers send the results to the City for you, but it is still your job to make sure it happens.
A failed assembly has to be repaired and retested.
Some plumbers test backflow assemblies and many irrigation companies do too. Our Bend sprinkler blowout guide covers who handles blowouts, testing and spring startup.
Septic to sewer: where a plumber fits in
Parts of Bend, including neighborhoods on the southeast side, still run on septic systems. Through the City’s Septic to Sewer Conversion Program, neighborhoods apply (applications are due September 1 each year) and the City builds the sewer in the street. Once that is done, here is the order of events for the homeowner:
The City mails a Notice of Operational Completion.
You get quotes from a licensed plumber and, usually, an excavator.
You get a tank abandonment permit from Deschutes County.
You get a plumbing permit from the City of Bend and pay the City fees.
Your contractor decommissions the tank and connects the house to the sewer.
The City’s current published fees are a connection fee of $5,335.17 plus $6,170 in system development charges if you connect within two years of the notice, about $11,500 before any private plumbing and excavation costs. Wait longer than two years and the connection fee doubles to $10,670.33. Households at or below 80% of area median income can apply for a connection fee waiver, and the City points to Craft3 Clean Water Loans and NeighborImpact for help with the private-side costs. The City updates fees each fiscal year, so confirm the numbers with the program at 541-330-4000, ext. 2.
When you compare bids for this work, make sure each one says who pulls both permits, how the old tank is decommissioned, how much trenching and restoration is included, and what happens if they hit rock. Bend sits on basalt, and hitting rock is a common reason a sewer lateral quote grows.
One slow fixture can be a local clog. Several fixtures backing up at the same time can indicate a main drain or sewer problem.
For recurring issues, ask whether the company can perform a camera inspection and locate the trouble spot. Repeatedly clearing the same line without identifying roots, damage, buildup or a belly in the pipe may only solve the symptom temporarily.
Before approving excavation or sewer replacement, ask what evidence supports the recommendation, ask for the camera footage, and ask whether a less-invasive repair option is appropriate.
Water heaters in Bend
Bend homes can have conventional gas or electric tanks, tankless systems, heat-pump water heaters and recirculation systems.
The City of Bend says a water-heater installation or replacement requires a plumbing permit, and additional electrical or mechanical permits may apply depending on the project.
When comparing quotes, ask whether the price includes:
permit fees
thermal expansion tank (the City requires one, see above)
gas or electrical changes
venting changes
drain pan / drain work
disposal of the old heater
code-required upgrades
warranty registration
Incentives worth asking about
Energy Trust of Oregon, which serves Pacific Power and Cascade Natural Gas customers, currently lists these water-heating incentives:
Equipment
Incentive
How you get it
Heat-pump water heater, contractor installed
$1,200
Through your contractor, when they buy the unit from an eligible distributor
Heat-pump water heater, bought at a store
$1,000
Instant discount in store only, one per customer, online sales not eligible
Gas tankless water heater
$400
Must be ENERGY STAR qualified and on Energy Trust’s qualified products list
Incentives change and depend on your utility, so ask the plumber to confirm eligibility for your address before you sign. If your power comes from an electric co-op rather than Pacific Power, ask the co-op about its own rebates.
Moving a sink, toilet, shower or kitchen line is very different from swapping a fixture in the same location.
A remodel may involve:
water supply lines
drain and vent changes
framing access
concrete or subfloor work
permits and inspections
coordination with cabinets, tile, electrical and HVAC
drywall and finish repair
Ask exactly what the plumber’s quote includes and what another trade must complete. For the bigger picture, see our guides to home remodeling in Bend and general contractors.
Repiping: do not jump straight to replacement
A single leak does not automatically mean your home needs a full repipe.
A broader evaluation becomes more reasonable when you have:
repeated leaks in different locations
widespread corrosion
deteriorated or known-problem piping
poor pressure throughout the home
multiple prior repairs
evidence the system is nearing the end of its useful life
For a whole-home repipe, get more than one opinion and make sure each contractor is quoting a comparable scope.
Bend winter plumbing: frozen pipes
Central Oregon cold snaps expose weak points in garages, crawlspaces, exterior walls, hose-bib lines and other unheated areas. Vacation homes and rentals that sit empty are especially exposed: the heat gets turned down, a pipe splits, and nobody sees it until it thaws.
Clear, still mornings after snow are usually the coldest ones in Bend, and the ones that freeze pipes. Photo: All Things Bend.
Before winter:
disconnect garden hoses
get the sprinkler system blown out and the backflow assembly protected
protect exposed piping
close garage doors when plumbing runs through the garage
maintain heat in vacant homes
identify vulnerable crawlspace and exterior-wall piping
arrange winterization if a property will sit unused
If a pipe appears frozen, do not use an open flame to thaw it. Shut off the water first if you can, because the leak often only shows up once the ice melts.
Are drywall, concrete, excavation or finish repairs included?
Are there less-invasive alternatives?
What conditions could increase the final price?
A lower initial quote can become more expensive if it leaves out excavation, permits, restoration, disposal or required upgrades.
Oregon plumbing licenses: verify before major work
Plumbing is a licensed trade in Oregon.
For larger projects, verify the business through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and confirm the appropriate plumbing license through the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD).
Who should I call for an emergency plumber in Bend?
Severson Plumbing, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Central Oregon and Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical currently advertise emergency or 24/7 plumbing availability. Call to confirm actual response time and whether an after-hours fee applies.
Who handles drain and sewer problems in Bend?
Mr. Rooter has a strong drain and sewer focus including camera inspection, hydro jetting and trenchless options. Renew also operates Renew Rooter for drain and sewer work. Other full-service plumbers may handle these jobs too, so ask what diagnostic equipment they will use.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Bend?
The City of Bend says replacing or adding a water heater requires a plumbing permit. Depending on the project, electrical or mechanical permits may also be needed. Ask who pulls the permit and whether permit costs are included in the quote.
What should I do before the plumber arrives for a major leak?
If it is safe, shut off the nearest fixture valve or the home's main water supply. Move valuables away from the leak and avoid electrical equipment if water is present nearby. Tell the plumber whether water is still flowing and whether sewage is involved.
Is Bend's water hard? Do I need a water softener?
The City of Bend reports its water usually falls between 0.99 and 1.46 grains of hardness per gallon, which is soft to slightly hard. Most homes on City water do not need a softener. Avion and Roats customers are on separate systems, so check your own provider's water quality report or ask for a hardness test from your tap.
Who do I call if I cannot shut my water off in Bend?
Call your water provider and ask about an emergency shutoff at the meter. City of Bend Water Services is 541-317-3000 ext. 2, Avion Water is 541-382-5342 and Roats Water System is 541-382-3029. Your provider handles the main and the meter. A plumber handles the pipes on your side of the meter.
Do I have to get my backflow assembly tested in Bend?
Yes if you have an irrigation system. State rule and City of Bend code require irrigation backflow assemblies to be tested every year by an Oregon Health Authority certified tester, plus at installation and after repairs. The due date is on the letter the City mails you. The assembly at your water meter is owned and tested by the City.
How much does it cost to connect from septic to sewer in Bend?
Under the City of Bend Septic to Sewer Conversion Program, current published City fees are a $5,335.17 connection fee plus $6,170 in system development charges if you connect within two years of the City's notice, about $11,500 before private plumbing and excavation costs. After two years the connection fee doubles. The City updates fees each fiscal year, so confirm with the program at 541-330-4000 ext. 2.
Should I get multiple plumbing quotes?
For a simple repair, speed and diagnostic clarity may matter more than getting several bids. For a repipe, sewer replacement, remodel or major water-heater project, comparing more than one written scope can help you understand differences in materials, permits, finish work and warranty.
How do I verify an Oregon plumber?
For larger work, verify the contractor through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board and confirm the appropriate plumbing license through the Oregon Building Codes Division.
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