Broward County · Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metro
Plumbing help in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Older PipesStorms
Fort Lauderdale draws all of its water from the Biscayne Aquifer and treats it at two plants with different technologies. About 64% of homes predate 1980, and low elevation, canals and hurricanes put drains and pipes under constant stress.
- Median home built
- 1973
- Built before 1980
- 64%
- Owner-occupied
- 55%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Hard freezes are rare
- Plumbing code
- State code
The plumbing calls that come up most in Fort Lauderdale
- Repiping
Older homes have galvanized or cast iron piping that corrodes in the humid climate.
- Sewer Backup
King tides and heavy rain overload low-lying drainage.
- Drain Cleaning
Aging cast iron drains under older homes scale and crack.
Emergency plumbing in Fort Lauderdale
Call (833) 878-1592Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Fort Lauderdale homes, based on local conditions.
Fort Lauderdale's 1970s housing and its pipes
The median home in Fort Lauderdale was built in 1973, and 64% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper supply, early plastic (ABS or PVC) drains, some cast iron.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Plumbing code and permits in Fort Lauderdale
Plumbing in Fort Lauderdale follows the statewide Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023), and must be done by a DBPR-licensed plumbing contractor. [2]
Where Fort Lauderdale's water comes from
Fort Lauderdale's only water source is the Biscayne Aquifer, treated at the Fiveash plant (lime softening) or the Peele-Dixie plant (nanofiltration membranes). [1]
Heavy rain and storms
Plumbing services for Fort Lauderdale homes
Fort Lauderdale plumbing questions
Where does Fort Lauderdale's water come from?
Entirely from the Biscayne Aquifer, treated at the Fiveash and Peele-Dixie plants.
Why does my water look different sometimes?
The city runs two plants with different treatment methods, and maintenance can shift which one serves you, briefly changing color or taste.
How do I check a Fort Lauderdale plumber?
Verify the license on MyFloridaLicense.com.
Do cast iron drains fail in older Fort Lauderdale homes?
Often. Cast iron under slabs corrodes and cracks over decades, causing slow drains and backups. A camera inspection shows the condition.
What plumbing prep helps before a hurricane?
Know your main shutoff, clear outdoor drains, and watch for sewer backups after the storm.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Fort Lauderdale, Charles W. Fiveash Water Treatment Plant · checked 2026-10-01
- Florida Building Commission · checked 2026-10-01