Olde Time Plumbing has been serving Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding area since 2008. Call us and a real local person picks up. We handle everything from a dripping faucet to a burst pipe in the middle of a January freeze, for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across Kootenai County. Whether you need a same-day repair or want to plan a renovation, we are ready to help. Licensed plumbers. Code-compliant work. Fair rates.
From century-old homes to new commercial builds, we work on all of it. Single-family homes, rental properties, apartment complexes, condos, restaurants, office buildings, and multi-family properties all have plumbing that eventually needs attention. We understand the different demands each property type puts on a plumbing system, and we bring the same care to a landlord's rental unit as we do to a business owner's commercial kitchen.
All work is performed by licensed plumbers who know Idaho code and local conditions. We show up on time and ready to work, with the parts and tools to handle most jobs on the first visit. We get to the bottom of the problem fast.
Every home's plumbing tells a different story, and we have heard most of them. Below is the range of standard plumbing work we take on every day across Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding communities.
A slow drain or a completely blocked sink can bring your day to a halt. We clear clogged drains in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and laundry rooms. For stubborn main line clogs, we use hydro jetting to blast through buildup that a standard snake cannot reach. We focus on the line from your home out to the city connection, keeping water moving the way it should.
Hearing a running toilet or a drip behind the wall? A hidden leak can cause serious damage before you ever see a wet spot. We locate the source, assess the damage, and make the repair. For older homes with aging galvanized or polybutylene pipe, we also offer full repiping service. A whole-house repipe replaces deteriorating lines throughout the home and eliminates recurring leaks for good. We'll have your drains running again in no time.
No hot water is one of the fastest ways to disrupt a household or a business. We repair and replace tank water heaters and install tankless systems for customers who want on-demand hot water. Whether your unit is failing, leaking, or simply past its service life, we can assess it and give you honest options. We use transparent pricing with no hidden fees on any plumbing job, so you know what the repair or replacement will cost before we start.
A running toilet wastes water and money. A dripping faucet compounds over weeks and months. We handle toilet repair and installation, faucet repair, and fixture replacement for both residential and light commercial customers. If you are upgrading fixtures as part of a remodel, we can handle the installation so everything is seated, sealed, and working correctly from the start.
A sewer backup is not something you want to ignore. We clear main line clogs, repair damaged sewer lines, and replace sections of pipe that have cracked, collapsed, or been infiltrated by roots. Where conditions allow, trenchless sewer repair is an option that avoids major excavation. We speak only to the line itself, from your home to the point of connection, and leave the rest to the appropriate trade.
We also handle garbage disposal repair and installation, low water pressure diagnosis, shutoff valve repair and replacement, gas line repair (the supply line only, not the appliance), and backflow prevention. These jobs come up regularly and we are set up to handle them alongside larger repairs without scheduling a separate visit.
Doing plumbing work right matters, and we will help you get it right, whether you are remodeling a kitchen, updating a bathroom, or building from the ground up. Rough-in work, fixture placement, supply line runs, and drain configuration all need to be done to code and to plan. We work alongside contractors and directly with homeowners to keep renovation timelines on track.
Commercial contractors in the Coeur d'Alene area also call us in for new construction plumbing on restaurants, office buildings, and multi-unit residential projects. We coordinate with your build schedule and deliver work that passes inspection. We test every fixture. We check every valve. We leave it dry.
Northern Idaho winters are hard on plumbing. Temperatures drop well below freezing, snowmelt raises groundwater, and older homes with crawl spaces or uninsulated exterior walls are especially vulnerable. The three services below come up every season in this area, and we are ready for all of them.
When temperatures plunge, exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls can freeze and burst. It can happen fast, especially in older Coeur d'Alene homes that were not built with modern insulation standards. We locate the frozen section, safely thaw it, and repair or replace any pipe that has split or cracked. Because burst pipes are a plumbing emergency, we treat them as one and respond accordingly.
Spring snowmelt in Kootenai County pushes groundwater up quickly, and basements that were dry all winter can flood within days. A properly installed sump pump is the most reliable way to keep that water out. We install new pumps, replace failing units, and check discharge lines to make sure water is being moved away from the foundation. Property managers with multiple units find this service especially useful before the thaw season begins.
The smartest time to protect your pipes is before the freeze, not after. We insulate vulnerable supply lines in garages, crawl spaces, and along exterior walls. We also shut off and drain outdoor supply lines and frost-free hose bibs so they are ready for winter. This kind of pre-season work costs far less than repairing a burst pipe in January. We make the repair and leave it tidy.
A burst pipe, a sewer backup, or a complete loss of hot water cannot wait until Monday morning. We take emergency calls and get to you as quickly as we can, same day when the schedule allows. Our locally owned and operated plumbers know this area and can reach most Coeur d'Alene addresses without the delays that come with dispatching from outside the region. We handle burst pipes, major leaks, emergency drain cleaning, and no-hot-water calls for both residential and commercial customers. Call today and we'll lock in your appointment.
We know that cost is one of the first things on your mind when something goes wrong. Plumbing repair costs vary depending on the job, the materials involved, and how accessible the problem is. We do not pad invoices with surprise charges. Call us and we will talk through what you are dealing with, give you a clear picture of the likely scope, and provide a quote before any work begins. Right diagnosis. Right repair. Right the first time.
Our plumbers know the homes and pipes in this area, and we serve customers throughout Kootenai County and the surrounding region. In addition to Coeur d'Alene, we regularly work in Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Dalton Gardens, Athol, Hauser, and Huetter. If you are nearby and wondering whether we cover your address, give us a call. We are locally owned and operated plumbers, and keeping the community's plumbing in good shape is what we are here to do. We'll have your drains running again in no time.
A clog in a single fixture, like one sink or toilet, usually points to a localized blockage. When multiple drains in the home are slow or backing up at the same time, the problem is most likely in the main sewer line. We diagnose the location before we start clearing so we are treating the right section of the system.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to blast through buildup inside a drain or sewer line, including grease, scale, and root intrusion that a standard snake cannot fully clear. We use it for stubborn or recurring clogs where the line needs to be flushed clean rather than just poked through. It is especially effective on main sewer lines and kitchen drain lines that have years of buildup.
Common signs include inconsistent hot water, water that takes much longer than usual to heat, discolored or rusty water from the hot tap, unusual popping or rumbling sounds from the tank, or visible leaking around the unit. Age is also a factor. Most tank water heaters have a service life of eight to twelve years, and units approaching or past that range are worth having inspected.
A failing water heater does not just mean cold showers. Sediment buildup in an aging tank can reduce pressure to fixtures throughout the house and accelerate corrosion in connected supply lines. A unit that is leaking or running constantly also drives up energy costs. Replacing it before it fails completely avoids the emergency and the potential water damage that comes with a tank that lets go unexpectedly.
For under-sink work, clear out the cabinet below the sink so we have room to work. For water heater service, make sure the area around the unit is accessible and not blocked by storage. For crawl space or basement work, we will let you know if there is anything specific to address when you call. The more accessible the work area, the faster we can get the job done.
For most repairs involving supply lines, fixtures, or the water heater, yes, the water will need to be off for at least part of the job. We minimize the time the water is off and restore service as soon as the repair is complete. We will let you know before we start how long to expect the interruption to last.
Yes. Plumbing work can involve open pipe sections, tools on the floor, and occasionally water or debris. Keeping children and pets out of the immediate work area is the safest approach for everyone. We will let you know when it is clear.
Repiping is usually the right call when a home has widespread galvanized steel or polybutylene pipe that is corroding, causing discolored water, or producing recurring leaks in multiple locations. A partial repipe addresses a specific section or zone; a whole-house repipe replaces all supply lines throughout the home. We assess the condition of the existing pipe and give you a clear recommendation before any work begins.
Galvanized steel pipe corrodes from the inside out over time, which narrows the pipe diameter, reduces water pressure, and eventually causes pinhole leaks or full failures. Polybutylene pipe is prone to cracking, especially at fittings, and can fail without much warning. Both materials are well past their expected service life in most homes where they are still in use, and leaving them in place increases the risk of a leak that causes real structural damage.
We replace corroded or stuck shutoff valves with new quarter-turn ball valves that operate reliably and are easier to use in an emergency. Supply lines under sinks and behind toilets are replaced with braided stainless lines that hold up far better than the original rubber or plastic versions. This work is often done alongside a fixture replacement or as a standalone upgrade, and it makes a meaningful difference in how the system performs.
We run a small camera through the sewer line to get a direct look at the condition of the pipe from the inside. This lets us locate blockages, root intrusions, cracks, collapsed sections, or buildup without guessing. The camera footage drives the repair recommendation, so you know exactly what is wrong and what it will take to fix it before any digging or repair work begins.
Outdoor supply lines and hose bibs need to be shut off and drained before the first hard freeze to prevent damage. We install frost-free hose bibs designed to handle the temperature swings this region sees, and we insulate exposed supply lines in garages, crawl spaces, and along exterior walls. Pre-season winterization is far less expensive than repairing a burst outdoor line in January.
When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands and can split the pipe wall or blow a fitting. Pipes in unheated crawl spaces, exterior walls, and garages are the most vulnerable. We locate the frozen or burst section, safely address the freeze, and repair or replace the damaged pipe. Because the surrounding area may also be at risk, we check adjacent lines before we leave.
A sump pump sits in a pit at the low point of a basement or crawl space and pumps groundwater out before it can flood the area. You can test yours by pouring water into the pit and confirming the pump activates and moves the water out through the discharge line. If the pump does not activate, runs constantly, or makes unusual noise, call us before snowmelt season arrives so you are not caught without a working unit.
Olde Time Plumbing is ready to help with residential repairs, commercial plumbing, emergency calls, and full renovation projects across Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding area. We have been at this since 2008 and we stand behind every job we do. Call (208) 444-2956 for a quote. Right diagnosis. Right repair. Right the first time.
We handle the full range of residential and commercial plumbing work in Coeur d'Alene and across Kootenai County, from a dripping faucet to a frozen pipe emergency in the middle of a hard winter. Every job is performed by licensed plumbers, priced transparently, and finished to local code. Use this table to find the service that fits your situation, then call us for a straight answer on what the job will cost.
| Service Type | What It Covers | When to Call | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet Repair & Installation |
| A toilet that runs, leaks at the base, or needs full replacement | A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a month; a repair often pays for itself quickly. |
| Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal |
| Any drain that is slow, gurgling, or fully stopped | Recurring clogs often signal a deeper line issue; we diagnose the cause, not just the symptom. |
| Pipe Insulation & Winterization |
| Homeowners preparing for the first hard freeze of the season | A winterization visit before temperatures drop is one of the most cost-effective ways to avoid an emergency repair mid-winter. |
| Leak Detection & Repair |
| Unexplained water bills, water stains, or damp walls | We use proven detection methods to find the source with minimal disruption before making the repair. |
| Garbage Disposal Service |
| A disposal that hums, leaks, or will not turn on | Most disposal replacements are completed in a single visit with parts on hand. |
| Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair |
| Pipes in unheated spaces during or after a hard freeze | Kootenai County winters push pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls to their limits; fast response limits water damage significantly. |
| Emergency Plumbing |
| Any plumbing situation that cannot wait until the next business day | We take emergency calls around the clock and carry parts to handle most urgent repairs on the first visit. |
| Sump Pump Installation |
| Basements at risk from snowmelt and spring runoff | Most homes in this area sit on basements; a properly installed sump pump is the primary defense against seasonal flooding. |
| Water Heater Repair & ReplacementMost Popular |
| No hot water, leaking unit, or an aging water heater near end of life | We carry common parts and units so most replacements happen in a single visit. |
| Sewer & Main Line Service |
| Multiple drains backing up at once or slow drains throughout the home | We handle the line from your home out to the city connection, with minimal disruption to your property. |
| Water Pressure & Shutoff Valve Repair |
| Weak flow at fixtures or a shutoff valve that will not fully close | Low pressure is often a symptom of a failing valve or corroded pipe; we find the source before recommending a fix. |
| Faucet & Fixture Installation |
| Dripping faucets, remodels, or fixture upgrades | We make sure every fixture is connected correctly and tested before we leave. |
How do I know if my water heater needs to be replaced or just repaired?
Age is the first indicator. Most tank water heaters last 10 to 15 years, and tankless units run longer with proper maintenance. If your unit is within a few years of that range and showing signs of trouble, such as inconsistent hot water, visible corrosion around the tank, or water pooling near the base, replacement is usually the smarter investment. If the unit is newer and the issue is a failed heating element or thermostat, a repair often makes sense. When we arrive, we assess the unit and walk you through both options with honest advice on which direction gives you better value.
What causes drains to keep clogging even after they have been cleared?
A drain that clogs repeatedly usually has a deeper problem than surface buildup. Common causes include grease or soap scale that has accumulated along the pipe walls, partial root intrusion from nearby trees, a section of pipe that has shifted or partially collapsed, or a line that was never properly sloped. Snaking a drain clears the immediate blockage but does not address the underlying condition. We diagnose what is actually causing the recurrence and recommend a lasting fix, whether that is hydro jetting to flush the full line, a targeted repair, or a section replacement.
What should I do immediately if a pipe bursts in my home?
Shut off the main water supply to the house right away to stop the flow, then call us. Every minute the water runs adds to the damage, so getting to that shutoff valve quickly matters. If you are not sure where your main shutoff is, we can help you locate it over the phone. We take burst pipe calls around the clock, including weekends and holidays, and we prioritize getting to you the same day for genuine emergencies.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
Plumbing emergencies do not follow a schedule, and neither do we. We take calls around the clock, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and we prioritize getting to you the same day when the situation is urgent.
How do you find a hidden leak without tearing out walls or floors?
We use proven detection methods that let us narrow down the location of a leak before we open anything up. That typically involves checking water pressure, listening for flow in sections of pipe that should be dry, and inspecting accessible areas around the suspected zone. The goal is to identify the source accurately so we remove only what is necessary to make the repair. Once the pipe is fixed, we check the surrounding area to make sure nothing adjacent was affected.
What is the difference between a tank and a tankless water heater?
A tank water heater stores a set volume of hot water, typically 40 to 80 gallons, and keeps it heated continuously. It is straightforward to install and replace, and it works well for most households. A tankless unit heats water on demand as it flows through the system, which means no stored tank and no standby heat loss. Tankless units tend to have a higher upfront cost but can be more efficient over time, particularly in homes with predictable hot water patterns. We can walk you through which makes more sense for your home size, usage, and budget when you call for a quote.
How do I know if my home needs repiping rather than a targeted repair?
Repiping becomes the right conversation when repairs are happening repeatedly in different parts of the house, when water pressure is consistently low throughout the home, or when a pipe inspection reveals widespread corrosion or deterioration in the existing lines. Older homes in this area that still have original galvanized pipe often reach a point where patching one section simply shifts the problem to the next weak spot. We assess the condition of your existing lines and give you an honest picture of whether a targeted fix or a broader repipe is the better long-term answer.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We give you a clear quote before any work begins and stick to it. If something unexpected comes up once the job is open, we tell you what we found and what it will cost before we proceed.
What are the signs of a sewer or main line problem?
The most common sign is multiple drains backing up or draining slowly at the same time. A single slow drain usually points to a localized clog, but when the problem shows up at the toilet, the tub, and the kitchen sink together, the main line is the likely culprit. Other signs include gurgling sounds coming from drains when water is running elsewhere in the house, sewage odors inside the home, or wet patches in the yard above where the line runs. If you are seeing any combination of these, call us so we can clear or inspect the line.
Do I need to be home when the plumber arrives?
For most work, yes. We need access to the affected area, and we will walk you through what we find and get your approval before starting any work. For rental properties, a property manager or authorized tenant can be present in your place. If you have a specific situation, such as a commercial property with staff on site, call us and we will figure out the right arrangement before we schedule.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
We have been working on homes and commercial properties in this area since 2008, and our plumbers know the building stock here well, from older homes with original galvanized pipe to newer construction with modern systems.
How does pricing work, and will the quote change after the plumber arrives?
We give you a clear quote before any work begins, and we stick to it. If we open up a wall or access a line and find something unexpected that changes the scope, we stop, explain what we found, and tell you what it will cost before we proceed. You approve any additional work before we do it. We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees on any plumbing job, and that is how every visit runs.
When does a sump pump need to be replaced, and how do I know if mine is failing?
A sump pump that runs constantly, makes grinding or rattling noises, cycles on and off rapidly, or fails to activate when water enters the pit is showing signs of failure. Most residential sump pumps last 7 to 10 years, though units that work hard during heavy snowmelt seasons can wear out sooner. In this area, where spring runoff can push a lot of water through a basement system in a short window, having a reliable pump before that season arrives is worth checking on. We can inspect your current unit and give you a straight answer on whether it is up to the job.
What can hydro jetting clear that a standard drain snake cannot?
A drain snake breaks through a blockage and creates an opening, but it does not clean the pipe walls. Hydro jetting sends a high-pressure stream of water through the line that scours grease, scale, and mineral buildup off the interior surface and flushes the debris out completely. It is the right tool when a line has significant buildup that a snake keeps punching through temporarily, or when roots have created a partial obstruction that needs more than mechanical clearing. We recommend it when the situation calls for it, not as a default upsell.
Every plumbing situation is a little different, and the best way to get a straight answer on your specific job is to call us directly at (208) 444-2956.
(208) 444-2956