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

Bob Oates work truck parked near Lake Union with Seattle skyline in the background.

How Do I Know If I Need a Sewer Line Repair?

By Bob Oates | March 9, 2026 |

Sewer line problems rarely appear all at once. In many homes, the first warning signs are small — a slow drain, a patch of soggy lawn, or a faint sewer odor that comes and goes. But these early symptoms often point to a larger issue developing underground. Knowing how to recognize the signs of sewer…

Bob Oates technician hydro jetting a sewer line through an outside cleanout at a Seattle home

High-Pressure Water Jetting Services

By Bob Oates | March 6, 2026 |

Clogged drain and sewer lines are often caused by buildup that accumulates slowly over time. Grease, sludge, sand, food waste, and mineral deposits can coat the inside of pipes, eventually restricting the flow of wastewater. When traditional drain cleaning tools aren’t enough, high-pressure water jetting — commonly known as hydro jetting — offers one of…

White metal downspout attached to a Seattle home exterior draining into underground line near foundation

Why Maintaining Your Downspout Lines Matters

By Bob Oates | March 3, 2026 |

If you live within the Greater Seattle area, you know rain isn’t seasonal — it’s a way of life. While most homeowners remember to clean their roof gutters and downspouts, many forget about what happens after the water leaves the roof. That’s where downspout lines come in — especially after a Seattle winter. At Bob…

Owner Bob Oates standing with his plumbing crew and company service dog in front of a Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter truck during a residential drain cleaning service in the Seattle area.

Here Are The Questions You Should Ask Your Plumber

By Bob Oates | February 22, 2026 |

When something goes wrong with your plumbing, most homeowners feel the same pressure: “I need this fixed fast.” But rushing to hire the first available plumber can sometimes lead to higher costs, incomplete repairs, or recurring problems. Not all plumbers operate the same way. Asking a few smart questions up front can help you find…

Clean bathroom with low-flow toilet, pedestal sink, and water-efficient fixtures

Effective Ways To Conserve Water In The Bathroom

By Bob Oates | February 20, 2026 |

Water conservation isn’t just good for the environment — it’s good for your plumbing system and your wallet. Bathrooms account for a large portion of a home’s daily water use, which means small changes here can lead to big savings over time. For Seattle homeowners, conserving water also helps reduce strain on local infrastructure and…

Tile background with "TP Troubles" written across tiles

Toilet Talk W/ Bob – TP Troubles

By Bob Oates | February 15, 2026

In this episode of Toilet Talk with Bob, Bob Oates breaks down something most homeowners never think twice about — toilet paper. Believe it or not, the type of toilet paper you use every day can play a big role in whether your toilet flushes smoothly or ends up clogged and overflowing. Choosing the right…

Shower floor drain with tile flooring showing early signs of buildup and staining.

Common Causes of Shower Drain Clogs (And How to Prevent Them)

By Bob Oates | February 14, 2026 |

A slow or clogged shower drain is more than just an inconvenience — it’s often an early warning sign of buildup forming inside your plumbing system. Left unaddressed, small blockages can turn into stubborn clogs, foul odors, or even larger drainage issues affecting sinks, toilets, and sewer lines. Understanding what causes shower drain clogs is…

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…

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