Knox County · Knoxville metro

Plumbing help in Knoxville, TN

Older PipesModerately Hard Water

Knoxville draws its water from the Tennessee River, and it's moderately hard. More than half of homes predate 1980, and hilly terrain, clay soils and occasional hard freezes shape local plumbing work.

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

Median home built: 1974
Built before 1980: 57%
Owner-occupied: 46%
Water hardness: Moderately hard; ≈ 5.3 grains/gal
Winter: Occasional hard freezes
Plumbing code: IPC

The plumbing calls that come up most in Knoxville

Sewer Line Repair
Older laterals on hilly lots crack and shift.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Occasional hard freezes catch crawl-space pipes.
Water Heater Replacement
Heaters in older homes reach end of life.

Emergency plumbing in Knoxville

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 Knoxville homes, based on local conditions.

Knoxville's 1970s housing and its pipes

The median home in Knoxville was built in 1974, and 57% 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: 1974

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

Plumbing code and permits in Knoxville

Tennessee's adopted plumbing code is the 2021 International Plumbing Code, and plumbing contractors are licensed by the state Board for Licensing Contractors. [2]

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

Knoxville's water: moderately hard

Knoxville Utilities Board takes in more than 30 million gallons a day from the Tennessee River and treats it at the Mark B. Whitaker plant; hardness ranges from about 60 to 120 ppm (moderately hard). [1]

≈ 5.3 gpg

SoftModerately hardHardVery hard

Grains per gallon, from the utility's published figures. Scale per USGS hardness classes.

Water treatment:Filtration systems Hard water explained

When Knoxville gets a hard freeze

Occasional hard freezes · 57% of Knoxville 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

Plumbing services for Knoxville homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Knoxville plumbing questions

Is Knoxville water hard?

Moderately: about 60 to 120 ppm.

Where does Knoxville's water come from?

The Tennessee River, treated at KUB's Mark B. Whitaker Water Treatment Plant.

How do I check a Knoxville plumber?

Check the contractor with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, and ask about any local license requirements.

How do I protect crawl-space pipes in Knoxville?

Insulate them, close foundation vents in deep cold and disconnect hoses.

Which plumbing code applies in Knoxville?

Tennessee's adopted 2021 International Plumbing Code, enforced locally.

Why do Knoxville sewer lines shift on hillside lots?

Slopes and clay soils move over time, pulling apart joints in older laterals and letting roots in. A camera inspection shows whether a spot repair, liner or replacement fits.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
Knoxville Utilities Board, Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-01
Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, Currently Adopted Codes · checked 2026-10-01