Monroe County · Rochester metro
Plumbing help in Rochester, NY
Older PipesLead Lines
Rochester has one of the oldest housing stocks in the country, with the median home from the 1930s, and still carries water from Hemlock Lake through century-old pipelines. The city is replacing lead service lines, aiming to finish by 2030.
- Median home built
- 1938
- Built before 1980
- 86%
- Owner-occupied
- 39%
- Water hardness
- Moderately hard
- ≈ 5.6 grains/gal
- Winter
- Regular hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- Local
Common repairs in Rochester homes
- Water Line Repair
Lead service lines are being replaced citywide.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Lake-effect winters freeze pipes in older homes.
- Drain Cleaning
Original cast iron drains narrow with decades of buildup.
What's behind the walls of Rochester's older homes
The median home in Rochester was built in 1938, and 86% 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)
Emergency plumbing in Rochester
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 Rochester homes, based on local conditions.
Frozen pipe risk in Rochester
Regular hard freezes · 86% of Rochester homes were built before 1980
Rochester's water: moderately hard
Rochester has relied on Hemlock and Canadice lakes since 1876; hardness is about 5.6 grains per gallon for Hemlock water and 7.6 for the Lake Ontario supply. [1]
Rochester replaced 2,076 lead-containing water services in 2025 and aims to replace all remaining lead service lines by 2030, if state and federal funding continues. [2]
Heavy rain and storms
Plumbing services for Rochester homes
Rochester plumbing questions
Is Rochester replacing lead service lines?
Yes. It replaced 2,076 in 2025 and aims to finish by 2030, funding permitting. Check the city's lead service page for your address.
Where does Rochester's water come from?
Hemlock and Canadice lakes (since 1876), plus a Lake Ontario supply.
Is Rochester water hard?
Moderately. It's about 5.6 grains per gallon from Hemlock and 7.6 from Lake Ontario.
How do I prevent frozen pipes in Rochester?
Insulate exterior-wall and basement pipes, seal drafts, disconnect hoses and keep heat on.
Which plumbing code applies in Rochester?
The New York State Uniform Code, including the 2025 Plumbing Code of New York State.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Rochester, Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Rochester, Lead Service Line Replacement Projects · checked 2026-10-01