Maryland · 10 covered places · 14 ZIP codes
Plumbers in Howard County, MD
We cover 10 cities and towns in Howard County, Maryland, across 14 ZIP codes, including Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge. About 263,000 people live in those ZIP codes. Most homes date from 1980 to 1999, old enough that original water heaters, valves and drains are wearing out.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 2% |
| 1940–1959 | 4% |
| 1960–1979 | 26% |
| 1980–1999 | 43% |
| 2000 or later | 25% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
| Place | Residents in covered ZIPs | Built before 1960 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 101,074 | 3% |
| Ellicott City | 90,155 | 8% |
| Elkridge | 37,146 | 5% |
| Clarksville | 13,783 | 4% |
| Woodbine | 8,772 | 13% |
| Fulton | 6,758 | 3% |
| Highland | 3,046 | 6% |
| Savage | 2,320 | 48% |
| Simpsonville | – | – |
| Lisbon | – | – |
What goes wrong in Howard County homes
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
43% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999. Polybutylene supply pipe was installed widely in US homes from about 1978 to 1995, so houses from these years are worth checking for gray plastic pipe stamped PB2110, usually visible at the water heater or under sinks. Insurers and buyers often ask about it. See polybutylene replacement.
Winter freezes
32% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Maryland winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common plumbing work in Howard County
City pages in Howard County
Other covered towns in Howard County
- Clarksville (1 ZIP)
- Elkridge (1 ZIP)
- Ellicott City (3 ZIPs)
- Fulton (1 ZIP)
- Highland (1 ZIP)
- Lisbon (1 ZIP)
- Savage (1 ZIP)
- Simpsonville (1 ZIP)
- Woodbine (1 ZIP)
Howard County plumbing FAQ
Which towns in Howard County do you cover?
10 places: Clarksville, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Highland, Lisbon, Savage, Simpsonville, Woodbine. Enter your ZIP code to confirm coverage for your street.
How old are homes in Howard County?
Across the covered ZIP codes, Census estimates put 6% of homes as built before 1960, 26% from 1960 to 1979, 43% from 1980 to 1999 and 25% in 2000 or later.
Who licenses plumbers in Howard County, MD?
The Maryland State Board of Plumbing licenses plumbers and gas fitters; check a license through the Maryland Department of Labor.
Housing and heating figures are US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Howard County, combined across places and weighted by housing units. Some ZIP codes extend into neighboring counties.
Need a plumber in Howard County?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.