Shelby County · Memphis, TN
Plumbers in Memphis, TN
Memphis is in Shelby County, Tennessee. About 676,000 people live in the 61 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 306,000 homes, 63% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (32%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 61 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Memphis
37501, 37544, 38101, 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38111, 38112, 38113, 38114, 38115, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38119, 38120, 38122, 38124, 38125, 38126, 38127, 38128, 38130, 38131, 38132, 38133, 38134, 38135, 38136, 38137, 38141, 38145, 38148, 38150, 38151, 38152, 38157, 38159, 38161, 38163, 38166, 38167, 38168, 38173, 38174, 38175, 38177, 38181, 38182, 38184, 38186, 38187, 38188, 38190, 38193, 38194, 38197
Memphis homes and their plumbing
Here is how Memphis's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 7%, 1940–1959 27%, 1960–1979 32%, 1980–1999 22%, 2000 or later 12%. 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.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 7% |
| 1940–1959 | 27% |
| 1960–1979 | 32% |
| 1980–1999 | 22% |
| 2000 or later | 12% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 676,192
- Housing units
- 306,227
- Single-family detached
- 63%
- Owner-occupied
- 48%
- Heated with utility gas
- 44%
- Heated with electricity
- 54%
What goes wrong in Memphis homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
34% of homes in Memphis'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
32% 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
66% 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 Memphis
- Whole-House Repiping
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Memphis: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Memphis at a glance
- County
- Shelby County
- ZIP codes
- 37501, 37544, 38101, 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38111, 38112, 38113, 38114, 38115, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38119, 38120, 38122, 38124, 38125, 38126, 38127, 38128, 38130, 38131, 38132, 38133, 38134, 38135, 38136, 38137, 38141, 38145, 38148, 38150, 38151, 38152, 38157, 38159, 38161, 38163, 38166, 38167, 38168, 38173, 38174, 38175, 38177, 38181, 38182, 38184, 38186, 38187, 38188, 38190, 38193, 38194, 38197
Memphis plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Memphis?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Memphis, Census estimates put 34% of homes as built before 1960, 32% from 1960 to 1979, 22% from 1980 to 1999 and 12% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (32%).
Who licenses plumbers in Memphis, TN?
Tennessee's Board for Licensing Contractors licenses contractors on larger projects, and many cities and counties license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Memphis usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 44% of homes heating with utility gas, 54% 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.
I rent in Memphis. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 52% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Tennessee landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Memphis homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Cordova (0 mi), Germantown (11 mi), Ellendale (12 mi), Collierville (16 mi), Millington (16 mi), Arlington (20 mi), Eads (20 mi), Atoka (24 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 Memphis, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Memphis?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.