Suffolk County · Boston–Cambridge–Newton metro
Plumbing help in Boston, MA
Older PipesFrozen Pipes
Boston's plumbing is old and dense. The median home dates to the 1940s, and triple-deckers, brownstones and multi-unit buildings mean shared stacks and long-serving pipe. Soft reservoir water and hard New England winters complete the picture.
- Median home built
- 1947
- Built before 1980
- 70%
- Owner-occupied
- 36%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Regular hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- State code
What Boston homeowners call plumbers about
- Drain Cleaning
Old cast iron stacks and shared drains in multi-unit buildings narrow with buildup over decades.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Pipes in exterior walls, back porches and unheated basements freeze in long cold spells.
- Repiping
About 70% of homes predate 1980, so galvanized and aging copper supply lines are common.
Emergency plumbing in Boston
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 Boston homes, based on local conditions.
What's behind the walls of Boston's older homes
The median home in Boston was built in 1947, and 70% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with galvanized steel supply lines, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals, often partly replaced over the years.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Frozen pipe risk in Boston
Regular hard freezes · 70% of Boston homes were built before 1980
Permits and code in Boston
Plumbing work in Boston falls under the Massachusetts Uniform State Plumbing Code (248 CMR 10.00) and must be done by plumbers licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. [2]
Where Boston's water comes from
Boston's water comes from MWRA's Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs and is soft, about 1 grain per gallon. [1]Awaiting verification
Plumbing services for Boston homes
Boston plumbing questions
Who can do plumbing work in Boston?
Plumbers licensed by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Massachusetts licenses every level, including apprentices, who must be supervised.
How do I keep pipes from freezing in a Boston winter?
Insulate pipes along exterior walls and in unheated porches or basements, seal drafts, disconnect hoses, and keep heat on when away. On the coldest nights, let a faucet on an outside wall drip.
Why do triple-deckers have drain problems?
Stacked units share cast iron waste stacks and drains that are often original. Buildup, corrosion and heavy use make clogs and leaks more common, and a camera inspection helps pinpoint them.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- MWRA drinking water FAQ (bot-protected at retrieval; confirm)
- Mass.gov, 248 CMR 10.00 · checked 2026-10-01