Champaign County · Urbana, IL
Plumbers in Urbana, IL
Urbana is in Champaign County, Illinois. About 47,000 people live in the 2 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 24,000 homes, 41% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (27%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 2 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Urbana
61801, 61802
Urbana homes and their plumbing
Here is how Urbana's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 12%, 1940–1959 12%, 1960–1979 27%, 1980–1999 25%, 2000 or later 24%. Most homes are old enough that original pipe, valves and water heaters are wearing out, but young enough that full repipes are a case-by-case call. Neighboring areas such as Champaign are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 12% |
| 1940–1959 | 12% |
| 1960–1979 | 27% |
| 1980–1999 | 25% |
| 2000 or later | 24% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 47,257
- Housing units
- 23,534
- Single-family detached
- 41%
- Owner-occupied
- 42%
- Heated with utility gas
- 53%
- Heated with electricity
- 43%
- Heated with propane
- 3%
What goes wrong in Urbana homes
Long, hard winters
51% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Illinois winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Natural gas in most homes
53% of occupied homes here heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters, ranges and dryers are common. That means gas line extensions for new appliances, flexible connector replacements and venting checks when a water heater is swapped. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility from outside. See gas line repair.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 41% of homes here are single-family detached houses. In attached buildings a leak or clog often involves a shared stack or a neighbor's unit, so it's worth knowing which lines are yours and which belong to the building or HOA, and where your unit's own shutoff is.
Hard water
Illinois water is generally hard. With 43% of homes here on electric heat, scale on electric water heater elements is a frequent failure. See water softener installation.
Common calls in Urbana
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Gas Line Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Water Softener Installation in Urbana, IL
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Urbana: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Urbana at a glance
- County
- Champaign County
- Nearest city pages
- Champaign
- ZIP codes
- 61801, 61802
Urbana plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Urbana?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Urbana, Census estimates put 24% of homes as built before 1960, 27% from 1960 to 1979, 25% from 1980 to 1999 and 24% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (27%).
Who licenses plumbers in Urbana, IL?
The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers and plumbing contractors must register; Chicago adds its own requirements.
Are water heaters in Urbana usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 53% of homes heating with utility gas, 43% with electricity and 3% with propane. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
I rent in Urbana. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 58% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Illinois landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Urbana homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Savoy (5 mi), Mahomet (12 mi), Ogden (13 mi), Rantoul (13 mi), Fisher (16 mi), Ludlow (19 mi), Bellflower (23 mi), Paxton (24 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Urbana, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Urbana?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.