Ramsey County · Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington metro
Plumbing help in St. Paul, MN
Older PipesFrozen Pipes
St. Paul's water takes an unusual route: Mississippi River water passes through a chain of lakes before it's softened. The city's older housing and hard winters make frozen pipes, cast iron drains and aging service lines the everyday plumbing issues.
- Median home built
- 1952
- Built before 1980
- 77%
- Owner-occupied
- 50%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Long, hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- UPC
What St. Paul homeowners call plumbers about
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Long subzero spells freeze pipes on exterior walls, porches and in unheated spaces.
- Drain Cleaning
About three-quarters of homes predate 1980, many with original cast iron drains.
- Water Line Repair
Older homes may have aging or lead service lines.
What's behind the walls of St. Paul's older homes
The median home in St. Paul was built in 1952, and 77% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or galvanized supply, cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Protecting pipes through a St. Paul winter
Long, hard freezes · 77% of St. Paul homes were built before 1980
Emergency plumbing in St. Paul
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 St. Paul homes, based on local conditions.
Permits and code in St. Paul
Plumbing in St. Paul follows the Minnesota Plumbing Code (Minnesota Rules chapter 4714), based on the Uniform Plumbing Code with state amendments. [2]
Where St. Paul's water comes from
Saint Paul Regional Water Services pumps Mississippi River water through a chain of lakes north of the city, then softens it from about 10 to about 5 grains per gallon. [1]
Plumbing services for St. Paul homes
St. Paul plumbing questions
Is St. Paul water hard?
The utility softens it from about 10 to about 5 grains per gallon, so most homes don't need a softener.
Where does St. Paul's water come from?
The Mississippi River, pumped through a chain of lakes (Charlie, Pleasant, Sucker and Vadnais) before treatment.
How do I protect pipes in a St. Paul cold snap?
Insulate and seal around pipes on outside walls, keep the heat on, disconnect hoses, and drip a faucet on the coldest nights.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Saint Paul Regional Water Services, Water Treatment Process · checked 2026-10-01
- Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota Rules Chapter 4714 · checked 2026-10-01