Lubbock County · Lubbock metro

Plumbing help in Lubbock, TX

Very Hard WaterFrozen Pipes

Lubbock relies mostly on Ogallala Aquifer groundwater, and its water is hard. West Texas wind, sudden freezes and scale make water heaters, frozen pipes and hard-water wear the city's common calls.

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

Median home built: 1986
Built before 1980: 44%
Owner-occupied: 52%
Water hardness: Very hard; ≈ 12.1 grains/gal
Winter: Regular hard freezes
Plumbing code: State code

What Lubbock homeowners call plumbers about

Water Heater Repair
Hard water builds sediment and scale in tank heaters.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Sudden West Texas freezes catch exposed pipes.
Water Softener Installation
Many households soften to reduce scale.

Lubbock's very hard water and your plumbing

About 61% of Lubbock's water comes from the Ogallala Aquifer (Roberts and Bailey county well fields) and about 39% from Lake Alan Henry and Lake Meredith. Hardness ran about 169 to 244 ppm in 2025. [1]

≈ 12.1 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

Emergency plumbing in Lubbock

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 Lubbock homes, based on local conditions.

Frozen pipe risk in Lubbock

Regular hard freezes · median home built 1986

Before winter:Winterizing checklist Outdoor faucets Find your shutoff

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

Permits and code in Lubbock

Plumbers here must hold a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which offers a public license search. [2]

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

Polybutylene-era homes in Lubbock

The median home in Lubbock was built in 1986, and 44% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe.

Median home: 1986

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:Polybutylene and repiping Water heater replacement Water heater lifespan

Heavy rain and storms

After storms:Sewer backup Basement flooding Sump pumps

Plumbing services for Lubbock homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Lubbock plumbing questions

Is Lubbock water hard?

Yes. Hardness ran about 169 to 244 ppm (roughly 10 to 14 grains per gallon) in 2025.

Where does Lubbock's water come from?

Mostly the Ogallala Aquifer, plus Lake Alan Henry and Lake Meredith.

How do I check a Lubbock plumber?

Use the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' license search.

How do I protect pipes in a Lubbock freeze?

Insulate exposed pipes, block wind from crawl-space vents, disconnect hoses and drip faucets.

Should I get a water softener in Lubbock?

Many homeowners do, given hardness around 10 to 14 grains per gallon.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
City of Lubbock, Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-01
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners · checked 2026-10-01