Sullivan County · Kingsport, TN
Plumbers in Kingsport, TN
Kingsport is in Sullivan County, Tennessee. About 88,000 people live in the 6 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 43,000 homes, 70% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (28%), 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 Kingsport
37660, 37662, 37663, 37664, 37665, 37669
Kingsport homes and their plumbing
Here is how Kingsport's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 6%, 1940–1959 23%, 1960–1979 28%, 1980–1999 28%, 2000 or later 15%. 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 Johnson City are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 6% |
| 1940–1959 | 23% |
| 1960–1979 | 28% |
| 1980–1999 | 28% |
| 2000 or later | 15% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 88,028
- Housing units
- 43,395
- Single-family detached
- 70%
- Owner-occupied
- 70%
- Heated with utility gas
- 10%
- Heated with electricity
- 87%
What goes wrong in Kingsport homes
Mostly electric homes
87% of occupied homes here heat with electricity, and electric tank water heaters are the norm. Failed elements and thermostats are repairable, but tanks that leak need replacement. Heat pump water heaters are an efficient replacement where there's space and airflow.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
29% of homes in Kingsport's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960. 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.
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
28% 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.
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 Tennessee winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Kingsport
- Water Heater Replacement
- Whole-House Repiping in Kingsport, TN
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Kingsport: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Kingsport at a glance
- County
- Sullivan County
- Nearest city pages
- Johnson City
- ZIP codes
- 37660, 37662, 37663, 37664, 37665, 37669
Kingsport plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Kingsport?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Kingsport, Census estimates put 29% of homes as built before 1960, 28% from 1960 to 1979, 28% from 1980 to 1999 and 15% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (28%).
Who licenses plumbers in Kingsport, TN?
Tennessee's Board for Licensing Contractors licenses contractors on larger projects, and many cities and counties license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Kingsport usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 10% of homes heating with utility gas, 87% with electricity. 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 Kingsport homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Fall Branch (9 mi), Bluff City (16 mi), Jonesborough (16 mi), Piney Flats (16 mi), Bristol (18 mi), Watauga (18 mi), Telford (19 mi), Elizabethton (21 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 Kingsport, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Kingsport?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.