Taylor County · Abilene metro
Plumbing help in Abilene, TX
Very Hard WaterOlder Pipes
Abilene draws its water from West Texas reservoirs, and it's hard: about 240 mg/L on average. With most homes built before 1980, plus drought, heat and hard freezes, scale and aging pipe are the city's main plumbing issues.
- Median home built
- 1974
- Built before 1980
- 59%
- Owner-occupied
- 58%
- Water hardness
- Very hard
- ≈ 14 grains/gal
- Winter
- Occasional hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- State code
Common repairs in Abilene homes
- Water Heater Repair
Hard water builds sediment and scale in tank heaters.
- Repiping
About 59% of homes predate 1980, many with galvanized supply lines.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
West Texas cold snaps freeze exposed pipes.
Abilene's very hard water and your plumbing
Abilene's main raw water sources are Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek Lake; hardness varies with the source in use and currently averages about 240 mg/L as calcium carbonate. [1]
Emergency plumbing in Abilene
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 Abilene homes, based on local conditions.
Abilene's 1970s housing and its pipes
The median home in Abilene was built in 1974, and 59% 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)
Which plumbing rules apply in Abilene
Plumbers here must hold a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which offers a public license search. [2]
When Abilene gets a hard freeze
Occasional hard freezes · 59% of Abilene homes were built before 1980
Heavy rain and storms
Plumbing services for Abilene homes
Abilene plumbing questions
Is Abilene water hard?
Yes. It averages about 240 mg/L (roughly 14 grains per gallon), varying with the reservoir in use.
Where does Abilene's water come from?
Mainly Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek Lake.
How do I check an Abilene plumber?
Use the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' license search.
Should I get a water softener in Abilene?
Many homeowners do, given hardness around 240 mg/L.
How do I protect pipes in an Abilene freeze?
Insulate exposed pipes, disconnect hoses and drip faucets during hard freezes.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Abilene, Water Production and FAQs · checked 2026-10-01
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners · checked 2026-10-01