Tulsa County · Tulsa metro

Plumbing help in Tulsa, OK

Hard WaterOlder Pipes

Tulsa's water hardness depends on which plant serves you: one draws from Lake Oologah, the other from Lakes Spavinaw and Eucha. With most homes built before 1980, aging pipe, clay sewer laterals and ice-storm freezes drive many local calls.

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

Chrome kitchen faucet running into a sink

Median home built: 1973
Built before 1980: 64%
Owner-occupied: 51%
Water hardness: Hard; ≈ 8.2 grains/gal
Winter: Regular hard freezes
Plumbing code: State code

Common repairs in Tulsa homes

Sewer Line Repair
About 64% of homes predate 1980, and older clay laterals crack and let roots in.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Ice storms and hard freezes burst pipes in attics, exterior walls and garages.
Water Heater Repair
Homes served from Lake Oologah water see more sediment and scale in tank heaters.

Emergency plumbing in Tulsa

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 Tulsa homes, based on local conditions.

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

Tulsa's A.B. Jewell plant (Lake Oologah) averages about 8.2 grains per gallon of hardness, while the Mohawk plant (Lakes Spavinaw and Eucha) averages about 5.2 grains per gallon. [1]

≈ 8.2 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

Tulsa's 1970s housing and its pipes

The median home in Tulsa was built in 1973, and 64% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper supply, early plastic (ABS or PVC) drains, some cast iron.

Median home: 1973

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:Repiping Sewer camera inspection Water line repair Brown or rusty water

Frozen pipe risk in Tulsa

Regular hard freezes · 64% of Tulsa homes were built before 1980

Before winter:Winterizing checklist Outdoor faucets Find your shutoff

If a pipe freezes:Frozen pipe repair Burst pipe repair No water

Which plumbing rules apply in Tulsa

Plumbers in Tulsa must be licensed by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, which licenses master and journeyman plumbers and plumbing contractors statewide. [2]

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

Plumbing services for Tulsa homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Tulsa plumbing questions

Why is my Tulsa water harder than my friend's across town?

Tulsa runs two treatment plants with different lake sources. A.B. Jewell water averages about 8.2 grains per gallon, and Mohawk water about 5.2.

How do I check a Tulsa plumber's license?

Verify the license with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board before work starts.

What should I do before an ice storm in Tulsa?

Insulate exposed pipes, disconnect hoses, open cabinet doors on outside walls and let a faucet drip. If power goes out for a long time, drain the lines. See frozen pipe repair.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
City of Tulsa, Frequently Asked Questions About Water · checked 2026-10-01
Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, Title 158 Chapter 30 · checked 2026-10-01