Knox County · Knoxville, TN
Plumbers in Knoxville, TN
Knoxville is in Knox County, Tennessee. About 443,000 people live in the 31 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 197,000 homes, 65% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (28%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 31 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Knoxville
37901, 37902, 37909, 37912, 37914, 37915, 37916, 37917, 37918, 37919, 37920, 37921, 37922, 37923, 37924, 37927, 37928, 37929, 37930, 37931, 37932, 37933, 37934, 37938, 37939, 37940, 37950, 37995, 37996, 37997, 37998
Knoxville homes and their plumbing
Here is how Knoxville's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 7%, 1940–1959 14%, 1960–1979 24%, 1980–1999 28%, 2000 or later 27%. 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.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 7% |
| 1940–1959 | 14% |
| 1960–1979 | 24% |
| 1980–1999 | 28% |
| 2000 or later | 27% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 442,846
- Housing units
- 196,720
- Single-family detached
- 65%
- Owner-occupied
- 63%
- Heated with utility gas
- 33%
- Heated with electricity
- 64%
What goes wrong in Knoxville homes
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
28% 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.
Mostly electric homes
64% 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.
Winter freezes
45% 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 Knoxville
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Water Heater Replacement
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Knoxville: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Knoxville at a glance
- County
- Knox County
- ZIP codes
- 37901, 37902, 37909, 37912, 37914, 37915, 37916, 37917, 37918, 37919, 37920, 37921, 37922, 37923, 37924, 37927, 37928, 37929, 37930, 37931, 37932, 37933, 37934, 37938, 37939, 37940, 37950, 37995, 37996, 37997, 37998
Knoxville plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Knoxville?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Knoxville, Census estimates put 21% of homes as built before 1960, 24% from 1960 to 1979, 28% from 1980 to 1999 and 27% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (28%).
Who licenses plumbers in Knoxville, TN?
Tennessee's Board for Licensing Contractors licenses contractors on larger projects, and many cities and counties license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Knoxville usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 33% of homes heating with utility gas, 64% 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 Knoxville homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Powell (6 mi), Rockford (9 mi), Alcoa (11 mi), Louisville (12 mi), Mascot (12 mi), Seymour (12 mi), Clinton (13 mi), Maryville (15 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 Knoxville, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Knoxville?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.