Plumbing repair · Kent, Washington
Plumbing repair in Kent, WA
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Kent's homes (21%) was built 1980 to 1989[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Kent, in King County — ZIPs 98032, 98031, 98030, 98042, counts 134,871 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
Request helpDo you need an emergency plumber?
Answer a few questions to see how fast you need help.
Kent plumbing snapshot: the key figures
- Population (2025 est.)
- 134,871[2]-0.4% since 2020
- County
- King[2]
- Land area
- 33.6 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1980 to 1989[1]21% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 39%[1]the 6th-lowest share of the 15 Seattle-area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 40%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 10%[1]the 5th-lowest share of the 15 Seattle-area suburbs we cover
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 2[4]0 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 60[5]24 in the last 10 years; 35 paid
- Homes on utility gas heat
- 40%[1]gas piping work usually needs a permit and a licensed installer
Reading the Kent data for plumbing
Kent counts 134,871 residents (2025 estimate), growing at a middle-of-the-pack -0.4% since 2020[2]. On the map that's 33.6 square miles holding 4,016 residents per square mile, the 8th densest of the suburbs here; it sits entirely in King County, with ZIP codes 98032, 98031, 98030, 98042[3].
With 10% of homes built since 2010 and 39% before 1980[1], Kent's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
4 ZIP codes cover Kent — 98032 (43% of the city's land), 98031 (23% of the city's land), 98030 (19% of the city's land), 98042 (13% of the city's land)[6].
The closest tracked neighbours are Auburn (5.9 mi S), Renton (6.2 mi N) and Federal Way (7.9 mi SW)[3].
39% of Kent's 49,652 housing units predate 1980 and 10% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the 6th-lowest pre-1980 share of the 15 Seattle-area suburbs we cover; nearby, Auburn (33%), Renton (39%), and Federal Way (40%) predate 1980. The 40% built in 1980–1999 are at the age where original water heaters and valves get replaced.
The biggest single slice — 21% — was built 1980 to 1989, and the median home dates to 1985[1]. Neighbours from the same era tend to hit the same plumbing problems at the same time.
Water from the sky is plumbing work too: 2 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 60 flood-insurance claims across Kent's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
40% of homes heat with utility gas, and 43% of households rent[1]. Tenants: report plumbing failures to the landlord in writing.
Finding plumbing help around Kent
Plumbing repair contractors taking requests around Kent cover ZIP codes 98032, 98031, 98030, 98042.
Before you call: before the plumber arrives
The data underneath this Kent page
| Measure | Kent | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 2 | 1 | 1 more |
| Built before 1960 | 8.0% | 10.8% | 3 pts lower |
| Built 2010 or later | 10% | 13% | 3 pts lower |
| Renter-occupied | 43% | 45% | 2 pts lower |
| Built before 1980 | 39% | 39% | 1 pts lower |
| Utility-gas heat | 40% | 40% | about the same |
| Median year built | 1985 | 1985 | same as median |
Biggest gaps first. Medians are middle values across the Seattle-area suburbs we cover, drawn from the same sources.
| City | Flood reports | NFIP claims |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 2 | 60 |
| Auburn 5.9 mi | 0 | 49 |
| Renton 6.2 mi | 2 | 66 |
| Federal Way 7.9 mi | 1 | 23 |
| Issaquah 13.2 mi | 1 | 243 |
| Bellevue 14.6 mi | 3 | 77 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98032 | 26 | $812,577 | 2025 (13) |
| 98031 | 18 | $168,568 | 1990 (6) |
| 98030 | 8 | $68,860 | 1990 (2) |
| 98042 | 8 | $10,444 | 1990 (2) |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2023 | Heavy Rain | 5.8 mi |
| Jan 6, 2022 | Heavy Rain | 7.2 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 527 | 1.1% | ±202 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 4,358 | 8.8% | ±400 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 5,970 | 12.0% | ±601 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 9,049 | 18.2% | ±740 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 10,619 | 21.4% | ±776 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 8,305 | 16.7% | ±797 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 6,865 | 13.8% | ±856 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 2,257 | 4.5% | ±417 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 632 | 1.3% | ±279 |
| 1939 or earlier | 1,070 | 2.2% | ±344 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 49,652 |
| Detached single-family | 25,845 (52%) |
| Occupied homes | 47,156 |
| Owner-occupied | 26,961 (57%) |
| Renter-occupied | 20,195 (43%) |
| Median home value | $587,800 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 26,453 | 56.1% | ±1,046 |
| Utility gas | 18,881 | 40.0% | ±1,043 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 695 | 1.5% | ±214 |
| No fuel used | 509 | 1.1% | ±192 |
| Wood | 300 | 0.6% | ±182 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 210 | 0.4% | ±99 |
| Solar energy | 55 | 0.1% | ±60 |
| Other fuel | 53 | 0.1% | ±46 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Kent's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 98032 | 43% | 86% |
| 98031 | 23% | 100% |
| 98030 | 19% | 87% |
| 98042 | 13% | 16% |
Kent plumbing questions
Are Kent homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 8% were built before 1960 and 39% before 1980[1].
Which ZIP codes are covered in Kent?
98032, 98031, 98030, and 98042[6], in King County. Nearby suburbs with their own pages: Auburn (5.9 mi), Renton (6.2 mi), and Federal Way (7.9 mi)[3].
Sources
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.