Boone County · Columbia, MO
Plumbers in Columbia, MO
Columbia is in Boone County, Missouri. About 157,000 people live in the 3 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 69,000 homes, 57% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built in 2000 or later (36%), 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 Columbia
65201, 65202, 65203
Columbia homes and their plumbing
Here is how Columbia's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 4%, 1940–1959 6%, 1960–1979 23%, 1980–1999 31%, 2000 or later 36%. With so much newer construction, the plumbing itself is usually sound, and most calls are about water heaters, fixtures, pressure and clogs.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 4% |
| 1940–1959 | 6% |
| 1960–1979 | 23% |
| 1980–1999 | 31% |
| 2000 or later | 36% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 157,017
- Housing units
- 68,738
- Single-family detached
- 57%
- Owner-occupied
- 54%
- Heated with utility gas
- 51%
- Heated with electricity
- 43%
- Heated with propane
- 4%
What goes wrong in Columbia homes
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
31% 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.
Newer homes on their first water heater
36% of homes here were built in 2000 or later. Those houses usually have PEX or CPVC supply lines in good shape, so the work is on equipment: original tank water heaters past their 8 to 12 year service life, expansion tanks, pressure regulators and fixtures. See water heater replacement.
Natural gas in most homes
51% 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.
Winter freezes
33% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Missouri winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Columbia
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Water Heater Replacement
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Softener Installation
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Columbia: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Columbia at a glance
- County
- Boone County
- ZIP codes
- 65201, 65202, 65203
Columbia plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Columbia?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Columbia, Census estimates put 11% of homes as built before 1960, 23% from 1960 to 1979, 31% from 1980 to 1999 and 36% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 2000 or later (36%).
Who licenses plumbers in Columbia, MO?
Missouri has no statewide plumbing license; cities and counties such as St. Louis and Kansas City license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Columbia usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 51% of homes heating with utility gas, 43% with electricity and 4% 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.
Guides for Columbia homeowners
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Columbia, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Columbia?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.