Plumbing repair · Kirkland, Washington
Plumbing repair in Kirkland, WA
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Kirkland's homes (23%) was built 1970 to 1979[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Kirkland, in King County — ZIPs 98034, 98033, counts 97,410 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
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Kirkland at a glance for plumbing
- Population (2025 est.)
- 97,410[2]+5.7% since 2020
- County
- King[2]
- Land area
- 17.8 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1970 to 1979[1]23% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 44%[1]the 6th-highest share of the 15 Seattle-area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 31%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 13%[1]the 8th-highest share of the 15 Seattle-area suburbs we cover
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 3[4]0 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 29[5]7 in the last 10 years; 14 paid
- Homes on utility gas heat
- 49%[1]gas piping work usually needs a permit and a licensed installer
Reading the Kirkland data for plumbing
Kirkland is one of the fastest-growing Seattle-metro suburbs tracked here: 97,410 people (2025 estimate), up 5.7% since 2020[2]. On the map that's 17.8 square miles holding 5,471 residents per square mile, the 1st densest of the suburbs here; it sits entirely in King County, with ZIP codes 98034, 98033[3].
With 13% of homes built since 2010 and 44% before 1980[1], Kirkland's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
Mail to Kirkland goes through 2 ZIP codes — 98034 (54% of the city's land), 98033 (46% of the city's land)[6].
Nearest of the other suburbs we track: Redmond (4.3 mi E), Bothell (5.3 mi N) and Bellevue (7.2 mi S)[3].
44% of Kirkland's 41,096 housing units predate 1980 and 13% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the 6th-highest pre-1980 share of the 15 Seattle-area suburbs we cover; nearby, Redmond (26%), Bothell (27%), and Bellevue (47%) predate 1980. The 31% built in 1980–1999 are at the age where original water heaters and valves get replaced.
The biggest single slice — 23% — was built 1970 to 1979, and the median home dates to 1984[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: 3 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 29 flood-insurance claims across Kirkland's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
49% of homes heat with utility gas, and 39% of households rent[1]. Tenants: report plumbing failures to the landlord in writing.
Among the 15 suburbs tracked here, Kirkland stands out for the most flood reports nearby (3, tied with 3 other suburbs)[4] and the 3rd-highest gas-heat share (49%)[1].
Get plumbing help in Kirkland
Requests go to Plumbing repair contractors serving the Kirkland area — ZIP codes 98034, 98033.
Before reaching out: before the plumber arrives
The Kirkland numbers behind this page
| Measure | Kirkland | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 3 | 1 | 2 more |
| Built before 1960 | 6.3% | 10.8% | 5 pts lower |
| Utility-gas heat | 49% | 40% | 8 pts higher |
| Renter-occupied | 39% | 45% | 5 pts lower |
| Built before 1980 | 44% | 39% | 4 pts higher |
| Median year built | 1984 | 1985 | 1 year older |
| Built 2010 or later | 13% | 13% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkland | 3 | 29 |
| Redmond 4.3 mi | 3 | 17 |
| Bothell 5.3 mi | 3 | 15 |
| Bellevue 7.2 mi | 3 | 77 |
| Lynnwood 10.2 mi | 0 | 46 |
| Sammamish 10.5 mi | 1 | 27 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98034 | 15 | $47,786 | 2023 (5) |
| 98033 | 14 | $76,591 | 1986 (3) |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2023 | Heavy Rain | 2.7 mi |
| Dec 4, 2023 | Heavy Rain | 2.7 mi |
| Jan 12, 2021 | Flood | 8.6 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 1,470 | 3.6% | ±297 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 3,744 | 9.1% | ±447 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 5,193 | 12.6% | ±598 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 5,373 | 13.1% | ±527 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 7,418 | 18.1% | ±615 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 9,289 | 22.6% | ±677 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 6,036 | 14.7% | ±566 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 1,185 | 2.9% | ±248 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 416 | 1.0% | ±113 |
| 1939 or earlier | 972 | 2.4% | ±249 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 41,096 |
| Detached single-family | 21,995 (54%) |
| Occupied homes | 38,771 |
| Owner-occupied | 23,576 (61%) |
| Renter-occupied | 15,195 (39%) |
| Median home value | $1,115,400 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 19,130 | 49.3% | ±920 |
| Utility gas | 18,823 | 48.5% | ±786 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 301 | 0.8% | ±106 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 180 | 0.5% | ±104 |
| No fuel used | 158 | 0.4% | ±124 |
| Wood | 75 | 0.2% | ±54 |
| Other fuel | 75 | 0.2% | ±70 |
| Solar energy | 29 | 0.1% | ±24 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Kirkland's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 98034 | 54% | 99% |
| 98033 | 46% | 88% |
Kirkland plumbing questions
Are Kirkland homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 6% were built before 1960 and 44% before 1980[1].
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.