Orange County · Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford metro

Plumbing help in Orlando, FL

Hard WaterStorms

Orlando drinks deep Lower Floridan Aquifer water, treated with ozone to remove the sulfur taste common in Florida groundwater. It's a younger city, with most homes built since 1980, so calls lean toward water heaters, fixtures and slab leaks rather than old pipe.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help in Orlando and Orange County

Median home built: 1995
Built before 1980: 29%
Owner-occupied: 37%
Water hardness: Hard; ≈ 7 grains/gal
Winter: Hard freezes are rare
Plumbing code: State code

What Orlando homeowners call plumbers about

Water Heater Replacement
Homes from the 1990s–2000s growth years are replacing original heaters.
Slab Leak Repair
Slab foundations hide supply line leaks under the floor.
Toilet Repair
Builder-grade toilets in newer homes wear out, with running and base leaks.

Emergency plumbing in Orlando

Call (833) 878-1592

Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Orlando homes, based on local conditions.

Hard water in Orlando: what it does to heaters and fixtures

OUC draws water from the Lower Floridan Aquifer, about a quarter mile below ground, and treats it with ozone to remove hydrogen sulfide. Average hardness is about 129 ppm (7 grains per gallon). [1]

≈ 7 gpg

SoftModerately hardHardVery hard

Grains per gallon, from the utility's published figures. Scale per USGS hardness classes.

Hard-water upkeep:Water heater flushing Water softeners Hard water and plumbing Noisy water heater

Permits and code in Orlando

Plumbing here follows the statewide Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023, and must be done by a DBPR-licensed plumbing contractor. [2]

Licensing:Check a plumber's license in Florida How to check a license

Polybutylene-era homes in Orlando

The median home in Orlando was built in 1995, and 29% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe.

Median home: 1995

1900195020002025

Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
Copper supply (1950–2000)
Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
PEX / CPVC (1995–today)

Typical supply-pipe materials by construction year. Many older homes have been partly repiped since.

Common projects in homes like these:Polybutylene and repiping Water heater replacement Water heater lifespan

Heavy rain and storms

After storms:Sewer backup Basement flooding Sump pumps

Plumbing services for Orlando homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Orlando plumbing questions

Is Orlando water hard?

Moderately. OUC reports average hardness around 129 ppm, or 7 grains per gallon.

Why doesn't Orlando water smell like sulfur?

OUC uses ozone treatment to remove hydrogen sulfide, the compound behind the rotten-egg smell common in Florida well water.

How do I check an Orlando plumber?

Verify the license on MyFloridaLicense.com.

My water heater smells like rotten eggs. What's wrong?

Usually bacteria reacting with the heater's anode rod, not the city water. A plumber can disinfect the tank and swap the anode. See water heater repair.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
Orlando Utilities Commission, Water Services · checked 2026-10-01
Florida Building Commission, 2023 FBC effective dates · checked 2026-10-01