Chris Johnson Plumbing has been serving Kennewick and Benton County since 2006, and in nearly 20 years of doing this work, one thing has stayed the same: when you call, you reach someone who knows your neighborhood, knows the local water, and shows up ready to fix the problem. Homeowners trust us with their leaks, their water heaters, and their drains. Property managers call us when a tenant needs same-day service. Businesses count on us to keep their plumbing running without disrupting the workday. With a local shop, your questions go straight to the people doing the work. That is the kind of accountability that matters when water is coming through the ceiling at 11 at night.
Local plumbers. Sound pipes. Honest quotes.
Call us today to schedule service or get a quote on any plumbing job.
Nearly two decades ago, Chris Johnson started this company with a straightforward goal: give Kennewick homeowners and local businesses a plumber they could actually count on. The kind of plumber who shows up on time, explains what needs to be done before touching anything, and leaves the job site cleaner than they found it. That foundation has not changed.
Over the years, the work has grown to cover the full range of residential and commercial plumbing across Kennewick and the surrounding Tri-Cities area. We work with homeowners dealing with a stubborn clog or a failing water heater. We work with landlords who need a repair turned around fast so a unit stays rentable. We work with small businesses, restaurants, office buildings, and commercial facilities that need a plumbing contractor who understands the pressure of keeping operations running.
All work is performed by licensed plumbers who take the job seriously. We are a local plumber homeowners rely on, and that reputation is something we earn one call at a time. We keep your home dry and your water flowing.
Every home's plumbing tells a different story, and most of the calls we get are not dramatic emergencies. They are the everyday problems that pile up when something stops working right: a drain that backs up, a faucet that drips, a water heater that is not keeping up, a toilet that runs all night.
We handle all of it. Our core services cover the full range of common residential and commercial plumbing work:
We treat your home and its pipes the way we would our own. That means we do not cut corners, we do not rush through a job to get to the next one, and we do not leave until the work is done right.
A drain cleaning visit starts with figuring out exactly where the blockage is and what caused it. Slow drains, completely backed-up sinks, clogged toilets, and drains that keep coming back after a quick fix all get the same thorough approach. We clear the line and confirm it is flowing before we pack up.
For stubborn or recurring clogs deep in the line, hydro jetting is an option. It uses high-pressure water to scour the inside of the pipe rather than just punching through the clog, which means a cleaner result and a longer window before the problem comes back. Whether it is a kitchen sink, a bathroom drain, or a backed-up floor drain, we diagnose it and clear it.
A leak you cannot see can do a lot of damage before you notice it. We locate leaks in supply lines, under slabs, inside walls, and at outdoor faucets and hose bibs. During a leak detection visit, we use the right tools to find the source without tearing apart more than necessary, then give you a clear picture of what the repair involves before we start.
Burst pipes and broken pipes get handled the same way: find it, fix it, confirm the line is sound. In a climate where temperatures in Benton County can drop hard in winter, a burst pipe from freezing is a real possibility. We handle emergency pipe repair and get the water back on as quickly as possible.
No hot water is one of those problems that cannot wait. When we get a water heater call, we check the unit thoroughly: the heating elements or burner, the thermostat, the anode rod, the pressure relief valve, and the connections. Sometimes a repair is the right answer. Sometimes the unit is old enough that a replacement makes more sense long-term.
We help customers think through that decision honestly. We work on tank water heaters and tankless units, handle full replacements when needed, and install new units that fit the household's hot water demand. Call us and we will walk you through the options before you commit to anything.
The hardest part of a plumbing problem is knowing when to call, but with a burst pipe, a major leak, a sewer backup, or no hot water at all, the answer is always: call now. Waiting makes water damage worse and repair costs higher.
We are available around the clock for plumbing emergencies. When you call, you get a real response, not a voicemail. We will tell you what to do right now to limit the damage, and we will get someone out to you. Same-day service is available for urgent situations that are not full emergencies, too. Whether it is a burst pipe in January, a sewer backup on a Sunday, or a water heater that quit overnight, we show up ready to work.
What to expect when you call: a clear explanation of what we found, what we need to do, and what it will cost before we start. No pressure, no surprises.
Leak found. Leak fixed. Water back on.
Call us and the rest is on our team.
Every job we take on, from a simple faucet swap to a full repipe, is done to code. That matters for your safety, for your home's resale value, and for your peace of mind. Licensed plumbers on the job means the work is done the way it is supposed to be done, not the way that is fastest or cheapest for us.
We stand behind what we do. If something is not right after we leave, we come back and make it right. That is not a policy printed on a brochure. It is just how we operate. A job is not finished until the customer is satisfied with the result.
Your home deserves pipes that are sound and up to code, and you deserve to know what the work is going to cost before anyone turns a wrench.
We give customers a clear picture of the job and the price upfront. If something unexpected comes up once the work is underway, we stop and explain it before we continue. Plumbing repair costs vary depending on what the job involves, and we get that. Our goal is to make sure you understand what you are paying for and why. Call for a quote on any job, big or small, and we will give you a straight answer.
Reach out and we will get it diagnosed quickly.
Scheduling a plumber should not be complicated. Here is what the process looks like:
That is it. No hidden steps, no surprise charges at the end.
Property managers and business owners have different needs than a homeowner with a slow drain. Downtime costs money. Tenants and customers notice when plumbing is not working. We work with commercial clients across Kennewick and Benton County who need a plumbing contractor that understands that pressure.
Our commercial work covers drain cleaning for restaurants and multi-unit buildings, water heater installation and replacement for commercial facilities, office and retail plumbing repair, and sewer line service for commercial properties. We also handle plumbing inspections for property transactions, which is useful for landlords, property managers, and buyers who want to know the condition of a building's plumbing before closing.
Experienced plumbers who respect your property show up on time, communicate clearly with building staff, and get the work done with as little disruption as possible. That is what commercial clients get when they call us.
We are based in Kennewick and serve customers throughout Benton County and the wider Tri-Cities region. That includes Richland, Pasco, West Richland, Benton City, Finley, and Prosser. If you are in the area and need a plumber, there is a good chance we have already worked in your neighborhood or on a property nearby.
Being local means faster response times and a team that knows the area. Call us and we will let you know if we serve your location.
We have been doing this work since 2006, which puts us at nearly 20 years of plumbing service in Kennewick and Benton County. Over that time, we have built relationships with homeowners, landlords, property managers, and local businesses who call us back because the work holds up. That kind of track record is something we take seriously.
We work with a wide range of customers across Kennewick and the surrounding area. Homeowners call us for everyday repairs and larger projects like repiping or water heater replacement. Landlords and property managers rely on us to turn around repairs quickly so units stay rentable. Local businesses and commercial properties need plumbing work done correctly and on a schedule that does not disrupt operations, and we handle that too.
We are based in Kennewick and serve customers throughout Benton County and the Tri-Cities region. That includes Richland, Pasco, West Richland, Benton City, Prosser, Finley, and Burbank. If you are in the area and not sure whether we cover your location, call us at (509) 619-1595 and we will confirm.
The plumbers who come to your door are experienced tradespeople who perform the work themselves. All work is performed by licensed plumbers who take the job seriously and treat your home with care. You will not get a rotating cast of unfamiliar faces. We are a local operation, and the people doing the work are accountable to the same community they live and work in.
Older homes in Kennewick and across Benton County often have galvanized steel pipe that has corroded from the inside, restricting water pressure and eventually leaking. Hard water in the Tri-Cities area also contributes to mineral buildup in pipes and water heaters over time. We have seen these patterns enough to know what to look for and how to address them without recommending more work than a home actually needs.
All work is performed to current plumbing code. When a job requires a permit, we handle that process as part of the project. Code-compliant work matters for your safety, your home's resale value, and your peace of mind, and we do not cut corners on it.
If something is not right after we leave, we come back and make it right. That is not a policy we print on a brochure. It is simply how we operate. A job is not finished until the work holds up and the customer is satisfied with the result.
Guessing wastes your time and money. When we use the right tools, such as a sewer camera to inspect a line or leak detection equipment to find a hidden pipe leak, we can pinpoint the problem before opening anything up unnecessarily. That means a more accurate quote, less disruption to your home, and a repair that addresses the actual source of the problem rather than a symptom of it.
Whether you need a drain cleared, a water heater replaced, a burst pipe repaired, or a full repipe on an older home, Chris Johnson Plumbing is ready to help. We serve homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across Kennewick and Benton County with the same straightforward approach we have used since 2006.
Quick response. Straight pricing. No surprises under the sink.
Call (509) 619-1595 to get a quote or schedule service today.
We handle the full range of residential and commercial plumbing in Kennewick and the Tri-Cities area, from a dripping faucet to a burst pipe on a January morning. The table below covers what each service includes, who it is best for, and a practical note to help you decide what to do next. Every job comes with an up-front quote before any work begins, and work is performed by licensed plumbers on every call.
| Type of Job | What's Included | Recommended For | Things to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal | sink, tub, and floor drain clearinghydro jetting for heavy buildupkitchen grease and soap scum removal | Slow or completely blocked drains in any fixture | Recurring clogs in the same drain often point to a deeper line issue worth inspecting |
| Garbage Disposal Service | disposal repair and resetfull disposal replacementdrain connection and leak repair | Disposals that hum but do not spin, leak, or have stopped working entirely | Most disposal replacements are completed in under an hour |
| Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair | safe pipe thawingburst section repair and replacementidentifying insulation gaps that leave pipes vulnerable | Homes losing pressure or showing no water flow during or after a hard freeze | Kennewick's January and February temperatures put crawl space and exterior wall pipes at the highest risk |
| Emergency Plumbing | burst pipe responsemajor leak containment and repairsewer backup and overflow service | Any plumbing failure that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment | Same-day availability for urgent calls; we assess and quote before any work begins |
| Pipe Insulation & Winterization | exposed pipe insulation in crawl spaces and garagesoutdoor faucet and hose bib winterizationfrost-free hose bib installation | Homeowners preparing for Benton County winters before the cold arrives | Winterizing in the fall is considerably less expensive than repairing a burst line in February |
| Water Heater Repair & Replacement | tank water heater repair and replacementtankless unit installationsame-day response for no-hot-water calls | Water heaters that are leaking, slow to recover, or past their service life | Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years; a unit older than that is often more cost-effective to replace than repair |
| Faucet & Fixture Installation | faucet repair and replacementshower valve and bathtub drain servicebathroom and kitchen fixture upgrades | Dripping faucets, outdated fixtures, or remodel installations | We ensure all fixture connections meet current code before we leave the job |
| Toilet Repair & Installation | running toilet diagnosis and repairwax ring and flapper replacementfull toilet replacement and installation | Toilets that run, rock, leak at the base, or need replacing | A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day, so prompt repair pays for itself quickly |
| Sewer & Main Line Service | main line clog clearingsewer camera inspectiontrenchless sewer repair where site allows | Multiple slow drains, sewage odors, or a confirmed main line backup | Camera inspection shows exactly what is happening in the line before any digging begins |
| Water Pressure & Shutoff Valve Repair | pressure regulator inspection and replacementshutoff valve repair and replacementwhole-house pressure diagnostics | Low or spiking pressure throughout the house, or valves that will not close | A failing pressure regulator can damage fixtures and appliances over time if left unaddressed |
| Sump Pump Installation | new sump pump installationpump repair and replacementejector pump service for below-grade plumbing | Basements and crawl spaces at risk from spring snowmelt and seasonal groundwater rise | A pump that fails during a heavy melt can cause as much damage as a burst pipe |
| Leak Detection & Repair | visible pipe and fitting leakshidden leaks inside walls and under slabswater bill spikes traced to source | Unexplained water damage, high bills, or dripping you cannot locate | Finding a hidden leak early keeps a small repair from becoming a large one |
How do I know if my water heater needs to be repaired or replaced?
Age is the first factor. Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, and a unit past that range is often more cost-effective to replace than to repair. Beyond age, watch for water pooling around the base, rusty or discolored hot water, a rumbling or popping sound during heating cycles, and a noticeable drop in how much hot water the tank produces before it runs cold. If the unit is relatively new and the issue is a failed element, thermostat, or anode rod, a repair often makes sense. We look at the full picture and give you an honest recommendation before quoting any work.
What causes drains to clog and back up?
In kitchen drains, the most common culprits are grease, soap residue, and food particles that build up on pipe walls over time. In bathroom drains, hair and soap scum are the usual cause. When multiple drains in the house are slow or backing up at the same time, the problem is usually further down the line in the main sewer, not in the individual fixture. A single slow drain is almost always a localized clog. A pattern across several fixtures is a signal to have the main line checked.
What should I do if a pipe freezes or bursts?
If you suspect a frozen pipe, shut off the main water supply to the house before anything else. This limits how much water can escape if the pipe has already cracked. Do not use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe. If you can see the frozen section and it is accessible, a hair dryer on low heat or warm towels applied to the pipe are safer options while you wait for us to arrive. Call us as soon as you realize there is a problem. We thaw frozen pipes safely, repair burst sections, and help identify where insulation gaps are making pipes vulnerable to the next cold snap.
Transparent Upfront Pricing
We give you a clear quote before any work begins. The number you agree to is the number on the invoice, with no charges added after the fact.
How are hidden leaks found without tearing open walls?
We start with the symptoms: a water bill that has gone up without a change in usage, soft spots or staining on walls or ceilings, the sound of running water when nothing is on, or a meter that keeps moving after all fixtures are shut off. From there we use pressure testing and, where the situation calls for it, camera inspection or acoustic detection equipment to locate the source. Our goal is to find the leak with as little disruption to the home as possible before we open anything up.
What are the signs of a sewer or main line problem?
The most common signs are multiple drains backing up or draining slowly at the same time, a sewage odor coming from drains or the yard, gurgling sounds from toilets when other fixtures are used, and wet or unusually green patches in the yard above where the sewer line runs. Any one of these is worth a call. A sewer camera inspection gives us a clear view of what is happening inside the line, whether that is a grease buildup, a root intrusion, or a damaged section of pipe.
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 50 gallons for a residential unit, and keeps it heated continuously. A tankless unit heats water on demand as it flows through the unit, so there is no storage tank and no standby heat loss. Tankless units tend to cost more upfront but can deliver better long-term efficiency for households with consistent hot water demand. Tank units are simpler, less expensive to install, and easier to service. We help you think through which makes more sense based on your household size, usage patterns, and budget.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
When a pipe bursts or a sewer backs up, we work to get a plumber to your door the same day. Urgent calls move to the front of the line.
What causes low water pressure throughout the house?
Low pressure that affects every fixture at once usually points to one of a few sources: a failing pressure regulator, a partially closed main shutoff valve, corrosion buildup inside older galvanized pipes that has reduced the interior diameter over time, or a leak somewhere in the supply system that is bleeding pressure before it reaches the fixtures. We run a pressure diagnostic to identify the source and give you a clear picture of what the fix involves before any work begins.
Do I need to be home when the plumber arrives?
Someone over 18 should be present during the visit. We give you a quote before we start any work, and that conversation needs to happen with the person who is authorizing the job. If your schedule is tight, let us know when you call and we will do our best to find a window that works for you.
Work Performed by Licensed Plumbers
Every job, from a faucet swap to a full repipe, is handled by licensed plumbers who treat your home and its pipes the way we would our own.
How does pricing work, and will the final bill match what I was quoted?
We give you an up-front quote before any work begins. The number on the invoice matches what you agreed to. We do not add charges after the fact for work we did not discuss with you first. Every job is different, so we do not post flat rates here, but we are straightforward about what a job involves and what it will cost before we pick up a wrench.
When should I call a plumber instead of trying to fix it myself?
Simple fixes like a running toilet with a worn flapper or a slow drain that responds to a plunger are reasonable DIY attempts. The line shifts when the problem involves the main water supply, the sewer line, a gas connection to a water heater, or anything inside a wall or under a slab. Mishandled repairs in those areas can turn a modest problem into a costly one. If you are not certain what you are dealing with, a call costs you nothing and gives you a clear picture of whether it is a DIY job or one that needs a licensed plumber on site.
How do sump pumps fail, and what are the signs mine is not working?
Sump pumps most commonly fail because of a stuck float switch, a burned-out motor, or a clogged intake screen. A pump that runs constantly without cycling off, one that makes grinding or rattling sounds, or one that does not turn on at all when water rises in the pit are all signs of trouble. In the Tri-Cities area, spring snowmelt can raise groundwater quickly, so a pump that is questionable heading into that season is worth having checked before it is needed most.
Call (509) 619-1595 and we will walk you through what your situation calls for and get a plumber scheduled.
(509) 619-1595