Harris County · Houston, TX
Plumbers in Houston, TX
Houston is in Harris County, Texas. About 3.2 million people live in the 178 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 1.3 million homes, 50% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (29%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 178 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Houston
77001, 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77013, 77014, 77015, 77016, 77017, 77018, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77022, 77023, 77024, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77028, 77029, 77030, 77031, 77032, 77033, 77034, 77035, 77036, 77037, 77038, 77039, 77040, 77041, 77042, 77043, 77044, 77045, 77046, 77047, 77048, 77049, 77050, 77051, 77052, 77053, 77054, 77055, 77056, 77057, 77058, 77059, 77060, 77061, 77062, 77063, 77064, 77065, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77069, 77070, 77071, 77072, 77073, 77074, 77075, 77076, 77077, 77078, 77079, 77080, 77081, 77082, 77083, 77084, 77085, 77086, 77087, 77088, 77089, 77090, 77091, 77092, 77093, 77094, 77095, 77096, 77098, 77099, 77201, 77202, 77203, 77204, 77205, 77206, 77207, 77208, 77209, 77210, 77212, 77213, 77215, 77216, 77217, 77218, 77219, 77220, 77221, 77222, 77223, 77224, 77225, 77226, 77227, 77228, 77229, 77230, 77231, 77233, 77234, 77235, 77236, 77237, 77238, 77240, 77241, 77242, 77243, 77244, 77245, 77248, 77249, 77251, 77252, 77253, 77254, 77255, 77256, 77257, 77258, 77259, 77261, 77262, 77263, 77265, 77266, 77267, 77268, 77269, 77270, 77271, 77272, 77273, 77274, 77275, 77277, 77279, 77280, 77282, 77284, 77287, 77288, 77289, 77290, 77291, 77292, 77293, 77297, 77299
Houston homes and their plumbing
Here is how Houston's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 3%, 1940–1959 11%, 1960–1979 29%, 1980–1999 27%, 2000 or later 29%. 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. Neighboring areas such as Humble, Pearland, Pasadena are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 3% |
| 1940–1959 | 11% |
| 1960–1979 | 29% |
| 1980–1999 | 27% |
| 2000 or later | 29% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 3,206,570
- Housing units
- 1,326,193
- Single-family detached
- 50%
- Owner-occupied
- 48%
- Heated with utility gas
- 37%
- Heated with electricity
- 61%
What goes wrong in Houston homes
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
29% 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.
Mostly electric homes
61% 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.
Hard water
Texas water is generally hard. With 61% of homes here on electric heat, scale on electric water heater elements is a frequent failure. See water softener installation.
Common calls in Houston
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Water Heater Replacement
- Water Softener Installation
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Houston: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Houston at a glance
- County
- Harris County
- Nearest city pages
- Pearland
- ZIP codes
- 77001, 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77013, 77014, 77015, 77016, 77017, 77018, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77022, 77023, 77024, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77028, 77029, 77030, 77031, 77032, 77033, 77034, 77035, 77036, 77037, 77038, 77039, 77040, 77041, 77042, 77043, 77044, 77045, 77046, 77047, 77048, 77049, 77050, 77051, 77052, 77053, 77054, 77055, 77056, 77057, 77058, 77059, 77060, 77061, 77062, 77063, 77064, 77065, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77069, 77070, 77071, 77072, 77073, 77074, 77075, 77076, 77077, 77078, 77079, 77080, 77081, 77082, 77083, 77084, 77085, 77086, 77087, 77088, 77089, 77090, 77091, 77092, 77093, 77094, 77095, 77096, 77098, 77099, 77201, 77202, 77203, 77204, 77205, 77206, 77207, 77208, 77209, 77210, 77212, 77213, 77215, 77216, 77217, 77218, 77219, 77220, 77221, 77222, 77223, 77224, 77225, 77226, 77227, 77228, 77229, 77230, 77231, 77233, 77234, 77235, 77236, 77237, 77238, 77240, 77241, 77242, 77243, 77244, 77245, 77248, 77249, 77251, 77252, 77253, 77254, 77255, 77256, 77257, 77258, 77259, 77261, 77262, 77263, 77265, 77266, 77267, 77268, 77269, 77270, 77271, 77272, 77273, 77274, 77275, 77277, 77279, 77280, 77282, 77284, 77287, 77288, 77289, 77290, 77291, 77292, 77293, 77297, 77299
Houston plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Houston?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Houston, Census estimates put 14% of homes as built before 1960, 29% from 1960 to 1979, 27% from 1980 to 1999 and 29% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (29%).
Who licenses plumbers in Houston, TX?
Texas licenses plumbers at the state level; you can look up any plumber's license through the state's plumbing license search.
Are water heaters in Houston usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 37% of homes heating with utility gas, 61% 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 Houston. 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 Texas landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Houston homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: North Houston (0 mi), Kingwood (0 mi), Huffman (0 mi), Alief (0 mi), Bellaire (7 mi), Galena Park (10 mi), South Houston (13 mi), Stafford (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 Houston, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Houston?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.