Jackson County · Kansas City, MO
Plumbers in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City is in Jackson County, Missouri. About 602,000 people live in the 52 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 286,000 homes, 63% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (25%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 52 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Kansas City
64101, 64102, 64105, 64106, 64108, 64109, 64110, 64111, 64112, 64113, 64114, 64116, 64117, 64118, 64119, 64120, 64121, 64123, 64124, 64125, 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129, 64130, 64131, 64132, 64133, 64134, 64136, 64137, 64138, 64139, 64145, 64146, 64147, 64149, 64151, 64152, 64153, 64154, 64155, 64156, 64157, 64158, 64161, 64163, 64164, 64165, 64166, 64167, 64196
Kansas City homes and their plumbing
Here is how Kansas City's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 19%, 1940–1959 20%, 1960–1979 25%, 1980–1999 17%, 2000 or later 19%. 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. Neighboring areas such as Independence, Lees Summit are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 19% |
| 1940–1959 | 20% |
| 1960–1979 | 25% |
| 1980–1999 | 17% |
| 2000 or later | 19% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 602,147
- Housing units
- 286,392
- Single-family detached
- 63%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Heated with utility gas
- 69%
- Heated with electricity
- 29%
What goes wrong in Kansas City homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
39% of homes in Kansas City'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.
Natural gas in most homes
69% 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
64% 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.
Hard water
Missouri water is generally hard. With 69% of homes here on gas, scale settles as sediment in gas water heater tanks, which then rumble and wear out early. See water softener installation.
Common calls in Kansas City
- Whole-House Repiping
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Kansas City: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Kansas City at a glance
- County
- Jackson County
- Nearest city pages
- Independence, Lees Summit
- ZIP codes
- 64101, 64102, 64105, 64106, 64108, 64109, 64110, 64111, 64112, 64113, 64114, 64116, 64117, 64118, 64119, 64120, 64121, 64123, 64124, 64125, 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129, 64130, 64131, 64132, 64133, 64134, 64136, 64137, 64138, 64139, 64145, 64146, 64147, 64149, 64151, 64152, 64153, 64154, 64155, 64156, 64157, 64158, 64161, 64163, 64164, 64165, 64166, 64167, 64196
Kansas City plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Kansas City?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Kansas City, Census estimates put 39% of homes as built before 1960, 25% from 1960 to 1979, 17% from 1980 to 1999 and 19% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (25%).
Who licenses plumbers in Kansas City, MO?
Missouri has no statewide plumbing license; cities and counties such as St. Louis and Kansas City license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Kansas City usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 69% of homes heating with utility gas, 29% with electricity. 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 Kansas City homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Riverside (5 mi), Liberty (11 mi), Missouri City (16 mi), Blue Springs (17 mi), Grandview (17 mi), Buckner (19 mi), Farley (19 mi), Kearney (19 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 Kansas City, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Kansas City?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.