Montgomery County · Germantown, MD
Plumbers in Germantown, MD
Germantown is in Montgomery County, Maryland. About 89,000 people live in the 3 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 32,000 homes, 27% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (65%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 3 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Germantown
20874, 20875, 20876
Germantown homes and their plumbing
Here is how Germantown's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 1%, 1940–1959 2%, 1960–1979 13%, 1980–1999 65%, 2000 or later 20%. 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 Gaithersburg, Rockville are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 1% |
| 1940–1959 | 2% |
| 1960–1979 | 13% |
| 1980–1999 | 65% |
| 2000 or later | 20% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 88,744
- Housing units
- 32,160
- Single-family detached
- 27%
- Owner-occupied
- 66%
- Heated with utility gas
- 37%
- Heated with electricity
- 58%
What goes wrong in Germantown homes
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
65% 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.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 27% 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.
Winter freezes
15% 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 calls in Germantown
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Heater Replacement in Germantown, MD
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Germantown: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Germantown at a glance
- County
- Montgomery County
- Nearest city pages
- Gaithersburg, Rockville
- ZIP codes
- 20874, 20875, 20876
Germantown plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Germantown?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Germantown, Census estimates put 3% of homes as built before 1960, 13% from 1960 to 1979, 65% from 1980 to 1999 and 20% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (65%).
Who licenses plumbers in Germantown, MD?
The Maryland State Board of Plumbing licenses plumbers and gas fitters; check a license through the Maryland Department of Labor.
Are water heaters in Germantown usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 37% of homes heating with utility gas, 58% with electricity. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so electricity is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
Guides for Germantown homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Boyds (3 mi), Clarksburg (3 mi), Montgomery Village (4 mi), Washington Grove (5 mi), Barnesville (7 mi), Derwood (7 mi), Damascus (7 mi), Poolesville (8 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 Germantown, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Germantown?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.