Portage County · Kent, OH
Plumbers in Kent, OH
Kent is in Portage County, Ohio. About 43,000 people live in the 3 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 20,000 homes, 48% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (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 Kent
44240, 44242, 44243
Kent homes and their plumbing
Here is how Kent's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 13%, 1940–1959 14%, 1960–1979 36%, 1980–1999 15%, 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. Neighboring areas such as Cuyahoga Falls, Akron are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 13% |
| 1940–1959 | 14% |
| 1960–1979 | 36% |
| 1980–1999 | 15% |
| 2000 or later | 22% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 42,899
- Housing units
- 20,228
- Single-family detached
- 48%
- Owner-occupied
- 52%
- Heated with utility gas
- 69%
- Heated with electricity
- 24%
What goes wrong in Kent homes
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
36% of the housing here dates from 1960 to 1979. Original copper supply lines in those homes are now 45 to 65 years old, and cast iron drains of that age scale up inside and crack. Seized shutoff valves, pinhole leaks and recurring main-line clogs are common calls. A camera inspection shows the condition of the sewer line before anyone digs.
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.
Long, hard winters
63% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Ohio winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
27% of homes in Kent's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 13% 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.
Common calls in Kent
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Whole-House Repiping
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
Also available in Kent: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Kent at a glance
- County
- Portage County
- Nearest city pages
- Cuyahoga Falls, Akron
- ZIP codes
- 44240, 44242, 44243
Kent plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Kent?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Kent, Census estimates put 27% of homes as built before 1960, 36% from 1960 to 1979, 15% from 1980 to 1999 and 22% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (36%).
Who licenses plumbers in Kent, OH?
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses plumbing contractors; many cities also register them.
Are water heaters in Kent usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 69% of homes heating with utility gas, 24% 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 Kent homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Stow (4 mi), Munroe Falls (4 mi), Tallmadge (5 mi), Streetsboro (6 mi), Ravenna (6 mi), Mogadore (7 mi), Hudson (8 mi), Lakemore (9 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 Kent, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Kent?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.