Carroll County · Westminster, MD
Plumbers in Westminster, MD
Westminster is in Carroll County, Maryland. About 63,000 people live in the 2 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 24,000 homes, 71% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (35%), 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 Westminster
21157, 21158
Westminster homes and their plumbing
Here is how Westminster's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 14%, 1940–1959 7%, 1960–1979 27%, 1980–1999 35%, 2000 or later 17%. 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 Owings Mills are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 14% |
| 1940–1959 | 7% |
| 1960–1979 | 27% |
| 1980–1999 | 35% |
| 2000 or later | 17% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 62,595
- Housing units
- 24,284
- Single-family detached
- 71%
- Owner-occupied
- 77%
- Heated with utility gas
- 19%
- Heated with electricity
- 51%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 18%
- Heated with propane
- 5%
What goes wrong in Westminster homes
Oil-heated homes
18% 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.
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
35% 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
48% 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 Westminster
- Water Heater Replacement
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair in Westminster, MD
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Westminster: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Westminster at a glance
- County
- Carroll County
- Nearest city pages
- Owings Mills
- ZIP codes
- 21157, 21158
Westminster plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Westminster?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Westminster, Census estimates put 21% of homes as built before 1960, 27% from 1960 to 1979, 35% from 1980 to 1999 and 17% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (35%).
Who licenses plumbers in Westminster, 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 Westminster usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 19% of homes heating with utility gas, 51% with electricity, 18% with fuel oil and 5% 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 Westminster homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: New Windsor (6 mi), Hampstead (8 mi), Manchester (8 mi), Union Bridge (9 mi), Taneytown (10 mi), Marriottsville (12 mi), Reisterstown (13 mi), Libertytown (14 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 Westminster, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Westminster?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.