Shelby County · Memphis metro
Plumbing help in Memphis, TN
Older PipesFreeze Risk
Memphis drinks deep aquifer water that is naturally filtered through layers of sand and clay. Plumbing calls here are driven less by the water and more by an older housing stock, roots in aging sewer laterals, heavy storms and occasional hard freezes.
- Median home built
- 1971
- Built before 1980
- 64%
- Owner-occupied
- 45%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Occasional hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- IPC
The plumbing calls that come up most in Memphis
- Sewer Line Repair
About two-thirds of homes predate 1980, and older clay and cast iron laterals crack and let roots in.
- Sewer Backup
Heavy storms can overwhelm sewers and push water back into low drains.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Occasional hard freezes catch pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls that weren't built for cold.
Emergency plumbing in Memphis
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 Memphis homes, based on local conditions.
Memphis's 1970s housing and its pipes
The median home in Memphis was built in 1971, 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.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Plumbing code and permits in Memphis
Tennessee's adopted plumbing code is the 2021 International Plumbing Code, and Memphis-area plumbing work is permitted and inspected locally. [2]
Where Memphis's water comes from
Memphis Light, Gas and Water pumps its water from the Memphis Sand aquifer, from wells 350 to 1,100 feet deep; alternating clay, sand and gravel layers naturally filter it. [1]
When Memphis gets a hard freeze
Occasional hard freezes · 64% of Memphis homes were built before 1980
Plumbing services for Memphis homes
Memphis plumbing questions
Where does Memphis tap water come from?
From the Memphis Sand aquifer, pumped from wells 350 to 1,100 feet deep. Layers of sand, clay and gravel filter it naturally before MLGW treats it.
Why do older Memphis homes have sewer problems?
Many older laterals are clay or cast iron. Roots, ground movement and age cause cracks and sags. A camera inspection shows whether cleaning, spot repair or replacement fits.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-01
- Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, Currently Adopted Codes · checked 2026-10-01