Washington County · Hagerstown, MD
Plumbers in Hagerstown, MD
Hagerstown is in Washington County, Maryland. About 101,000 people live in the 6 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 41,000 homes, 52% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (23%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 6 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Hagerstown
21740, 21741, 21742, 21746, 21747, 21749
Hagerstown homes and their plumbing
Here is how Hagerstown's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 19%, 1940–1959 16%, 1960–1979 23%, 1980–1999 21%, 2000 or later 22%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 19% |
| 1940–1959 | 16% |
| 1960–1979 | 23% |
| 1980–1999 | 21% |
| 2000 or later | 22% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 100,670
- Housing units
- 41,101
- Single-family detached
- 52%
- Owner-occupied
- 59%
- Heated with utility gas
- 31%
- Heated with electricity
- 49%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 14%
- Heated with propane
- 3%
What goes wrong in Hagerstown homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
35% of homes in Hagerstown's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 19% of them before 1940. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
Oil-heated homes
14% of occupied homes here heat with fuel oil, far above the national norm. Many of them make hot water with a tankless coil inside the boiler, which runs the boiler all summer. Plumbers often replace the coil with an indirect tank or a standalone water heater when the boiler is serviced or replaced.
Winter freezes
58% 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 Hagerstown
- Whole-House Repiping
- Water Heater Replacement
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Hagerstown: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Hagerstown at a glance
- County
- Washington County
- ZIP codes
- 21740, 21741, 21742, 21746, 21747, 21749
Hagerstown plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Hagerstown?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Hagerstown, Census estimates put 35% of homes as built before 1960, 23% from 1960 to 1979, 21% from 1980 to 1999 and 22% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (23%).
Who licenses plumbers in Hagerstown, 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 Hagerstown usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 31% of homes heating with utility gas, 49% with electricity, 14% with fuel oil and 3% with propane. 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 Hagerstown homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Funkstown (2 mi), Maugansville (4 mi), Chewsville (5 mi), Saint James (5 mi), Williamsport (6 mi), Cavetown (7 mi), Fairplay (7 mi), Smithsburg (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 Hagerstown, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Hagerstown?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.