Rock County · Janesville, WI
Plumbers in Janesville, WI
Janesville is in Rock County, Wisconsin. About 74,000 people live in the 3 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 33,000 homes, 70% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (34%), 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 Janesville
53545, 53546, 53548
Janesville homes and their plumbing
Here is how Janesville's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 15%, 1940–1959 15%, 1960–1979 34%, 1980–1999 24%, 2000 or later 13%. 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 Beloit are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 15% |
| 1940–1959 | 15% |
| 1960–1979 | 34% |
| 1980–1999 | 24% |
| 2000 or later | 13% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 73,928
- Housing units
- 32,880
- Single-family detached
- 70%
- Owner-occupied
- 69%
- Heated with utility gas
- 72%
- Heated with electricity
- 20%
- Heated with propane
- 5%
What goes wrong in Janesville homes
Natural gas in most homes
72% 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.
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
34% 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.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
30% of homes in Janesville's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 15% 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.
Long, hard winters
64% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Wisconsin winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Janesville
- Gas Line Repair
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Whole-House Repiping
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
Also available in Janesville: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Janesville at a glance
- County
- Rock County
- Nearest city pages
- Beloit
- ZIP codes
- 53545, 53546, 53548
Janesville plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Janesville?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Janesville, Census estimates put 30% of homes as built before 1960, 34% from 1960 to 1979, 24% from 1980 to 1999 and 13% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (34%).
Who licenses plumbers in Janesville, WI?
Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) licenses plumbers.
Are water heaters in Janesville usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 72% of homes heating with utility gas, 20% with electricity and 5% with propane. 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 Janesville homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Milton (7 mi), Footville (10 mi), Clinton (12 mi), Orfordville (13 mi), Darien (16 mi), Whitewater (18 mi), Fort Atkinson (19 mi), Delavan (20 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 Janesville, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Janesville?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.