Bob Oates and general manager John Peterson posing with Poopy the Plunger mascot in front of Bob Oates service vans

Toilet Talk with Bob!

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Plumbing, Sewer & Drain Service • Limited Time

Bob Oates shares his years of expertise with you!

Bob has been in the plumbing, drain cleaning, and sewer and rooter game for decades. In these fun, useful self-help videos, Bob shares his wisdom on how to solve common plumbing issues — and, importantly, how to prevent them in the first place.

As you scroll through and watch, you'll learn what to do, what not to do, how to save some money by avoiding a service call, and have a few laughs along the way. Enjoy!

Toilet Talk With Bob | Plunging 101

Toilet Talk With Bob | Toilet Paper Troubles

Toilet Talk with Bob | Meet The Drain Thingy

Toilet Talk With Bob | Tree Roots

Toilet Talk With Bob | Disposal Tips

Toilet Talk With Bob | Winter Pipes

Toilet Talk With Bob | Washing Machine Tips

About the Team at Bob Oates

For more than 30 years, Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter has been Seattle’s trusted choice for complete plumbing, sewer repair, and drain cleaning services.

We’re proud to live by our core values — Integrity (“The Pride’s Inside”), Teamwork (“Together, We Achieve Success”), and Commitment to Excellence (“Dedicated to Our Customers, Our Employees, and the Future”).

With continuous training, advanced tech, and a focus on doing the job right the first time, our skilled technicians deliver fast, reliable service backed by the best warranties in the business.

Whether it’s a quick fix or a major project, you can count on Bob Oates to set the standard for exceptional service. Call or book online today and experience a true home-run service for yourself!

Proud Member of BOMA

Toilet Tips: When to Put Down The Plunger and Call a Professional Plumber

By Bob Oates | February 11, 2026 |

A clogged or malfunctioning toilet is one of the most frustrating plumbing problems homeowners face. Sometimes, a quick plunge solves the issue (and Bob made a helpful Plunging 101 video that covers it in detail!). Other times, it’s a warning sign of a deeper problem that shouldn’t be handled with DIY methods. Knowing when it’s…

Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter trucks parked at a residential service call in Seattle

4 Ways Your Plumbing Might Be Wasting Your Money

By Bob Oates | February 6, 2026 |

Indoor plumbing is one of the great advances of modern life. We enjoy hot showers, reliable toilets, and clean water every day — often without giving much thought to the systems behind the walls that make it all possible. But when plumbing systems aren’t properly maintained, small inefficiencies can quietly add up to big costs.…

4 Ways To Keep Your Plumbing Happy

By Bob Oates | February 1, 2026 |

Your plumbing system works quietly behind the scenes every day — until something goes wrong. Clogged drains, sewer backups, slow toilets, and foul odors often trace back to small habits that build into big problems over time. The good news? A few simple preventative steps can go a long way toward protecting your pipes, extending…

Diagram showing toilet tank components including flapper, fill valve, float, overflow tube, and flush valve

Toilet Keeps Running! Fix it With This Easy Guide

By Bob Oates | January 20, 2026 |

Your toilet flushes just fine, but it doesn’t know when to quit. Your toilet keeps running! Even when it occasionally stops, it eventually starts up again suddenly. No matter how often it occurs, it’s wasting a lot of water — and toilets are already responsible for the most water consumption in the average home. On…

Professional plumbers preparing hydro jetting equipment to clean a residential sewer line

Is Hydro Jetting A Safe Drain Cleaning Method? Everything Seattle Homeowners Need To Know

By Bob Oates | December 29, 2025 |

When drains slow down or back up, homeowners often worry that aggressive cleaning methods could damage their plumbing. Hydro jetting, in particular, tends to raise questions because of the pressure involved. When performed professionally — and for the right type of clog — hydro jetting is one of the safest and most effective drain-cleaning methods…

Homeowners dealing with a DIY plumbing issue under a kitchen sink after a drain problem

Why DIY Drain Snaking Is Discouraged (And What to Do Instead)

By Bob Oates | December 28, 2025 |

A clogged drain is frustrating — especially when it happens suddenly. For many homeowners, the first instinct is to grab a store-bought drain snake and try to fix the problem themselves. While DIY drain snaking may seem like a quick, inexpensive solution, it often causes more damage than homeowners realize. At Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer…

Santa wearing a tool belt filled with plumbing tools, representing common plumbing issues during the holiday season in Seattle homes

Top Reasons Plumbing Issues Occur During Holidays

By Bob Oates | December 21, 2025 |

The holiday season brings family gatherings, home-cooked meals, and out-of-town guests — but it also puts extra strain on your home’s plumbing system. With more people under one roof and more water being used throughout the day, plumbing issues are far more common around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. As your trusted Seattle-area plumber, Bob…

Bob Oates crew finishing a trenchless sewer cleanout and cured-in-place-pipe lining installation.

Why Cleaning Your Sewer Is Important

By Bob Oates | December 7, 2025 |

Your home’s sewer line is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of your plumbing system. It quietly carries wastewater away from your home every day, often without issue. But when a sewer line becomes clogged or damaged, the consequences can be messy, expensive, and even hazardous to your health. Routine…

Bob Oates van and equipment at residential sewer job, Bellevue, WA

Bob Oates Is the Home of the Second Opinion!

By Bob Oates | November 24, 2025 |

Why Getting a Second Opinion Matters — And Why Seattle Homeowners Trust Bob Oates When something goes wrong with your plumbing or sewer system, you’re not just dealing with inconvenience — you’re making an important investment in your home. That’s why getting a second opinion is one of the smartest steps a homeowner can take.…

Standing water and food debris in a kitchen sink due to a clogged drain.

What Causes Clogged Drains? Here Are the Most Common Culprits

By Bob Oates | November 24, 2025 |

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems for Seattle homeowners — but the causes aren’t always as obvious as they seem. From everyday hygiene products to tree roots in pipes deep underground, there are many ways buildup can sneak into your plumbing system over time. At Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter,…

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