Providence County · Providence–Warwick metro
Plumbing help in Providence, RI
Older PipesLead Lines
Providence's housing is among the oldest in New England, with a median home from the 1940s, and many homes still have lead service lines. The utility is replacing them for free, with a goal of finishing by 2033. Cold winters add frozen pipes to the list.
- Median home built
- 1947
- Built before 1980
- 76%
- Owner-occupied
- 41%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Regular hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- Local
What Providence homeowners call plumbers about
- Water Line Repair
Many older homes still have lead service lines, and the utility's free program covers replacement.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Cold winters freeze pipes in older homes' exterior walls and porches.
- Drain Cleaning
Original cast iron drains in multi-family homes build up and clog.
What's behind the walls of Providence's older homes
The median home in Providence was built in 1947, and 76% 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 Providence
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 Providence homes, based on local conditions.
Frozen pipe risk in Providence
Regular hard freezes · 76% of Providence homes were built before 1980
Where Providence's water comes from
Providence Water offers free lead service line replacement to all customers in its distribution system and aims to replace every lead service line by 2033, as required by Rhode Island law. [1]
Water leaving Providence Water's treatment plant in Scituate contains no lead; lead enters through lead service lines, fixtures and household plumbing. [2]
Plumbing services for Providence homes
Providence plumbing questions
Can I get my Providence lead service line replaced for free?
Yes. Providence Water offers free replacement to customers in its system and aims to replace all lead lines by 2033. Check its Lead Service Line Location Map for your address.
Is Providence tap water lead-free?
Water leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter through lead service lines and older fixtures, so the utility offers free test kits.
How do I check a Providence plumber?
Verify the license with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
What if my street isn't scheduled for lead line work yet?
Providence Water offers a 10-year, 0% interest loan for private-side replacement when your location isn't in a planned contract.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Providence Water, Lead Service Line Replacement Programs · checked 2026-10-01
- Providence Water, Lead FAQ · checked 2026-10-01