Lancaster County · Lincoln metro
Plumbing help in Lincoln, NE
Very Hard WaterFrozen Pipes
Lincoln pipes its water 20 miles from wells along the Platte River, and it's hard water. With about 45% of homes built before 1980 and harsh plains winters, scale, frozen pipes and aging lines are the city's common plumbing calls.
- Median home built
- 1984
- Built before 1980
- 45%
- Owner-occupied
- 58%
- Water hardness
- Very hard
- ≈ 11.2 grains/gal
- Winter
- Long, hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- Local
The plumbing calls that come up most in Lincoln
- Water Softener Installation
At about 11 grains per gallon, many homes soften to reduce scale.
- Water Heater Repair
Hard water builds sediment in tank heaters.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Plains cold snaps freeze pipes in exterior walls and crawl spaces.
Lincoln's very hard water and your plumbing
Lincoln's water is groundwater from wells along the Platte River near Ashland, about 20 miles northeast of the city; total hardness averaged about 11.2 grains per gallon (192 ppm) in 2024. [1]
Protecting pipes through a Lincoln winter
Long, hard freezes · median home built 1984
Emergency plumbing in Lincoln
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 Lincoln homes, based on local conditions.
Polybutylene-era homes in Lincoln
The median home in Lincoln was built in 1984, and 45% 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.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Plumbing services for Lincoln homes
Lincoln plumbing questions
Is Lincoln water hard?
Yes. The city reported about 11.2 grains per gallon (192 ppm) in 2024.
Where does Lincoln's water come from?
Wells along the Platte River near Ashland, about 20 miles northeast of the city.
Who licenses plumbers in Lincoln?
Nebraska licenses plumbers locally. In Lincoln, the city's Building and Safety Department issues plumbing licenses.
How often should I flush my water heater in Lincoln?
At least yearly with water this hard. See water heater maintenance.
How do I protect Lincoln pipes in a cold snap?
Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and on exterior walls, seal drafts, disconnect hoses and drip a faucet during hard freezes. If a pipe bursts, shut the main valve first.
Sources (2)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, Annual Drinking Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-01