Williamson County · Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metro

Plumbing help in Round Rock, TX

Very Hard WaterFreeze Risk

Round Rock grew fast after 2000: the median home was built in 2003, so most homes have PEX or CPVC supply lines and plastic drains. The defining local factor is the water, which is very hard by the city's own measurement and leaves heavy scale in water heaters, fixtures and tankless units.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help in Round Rock and Williamson County

Median home built: 2003
Built before 1980: 8%
Owner-occupied: 57%
Water hardness: Very hard; ≈ 14.6 grains/gal
Winter: Occasional hard freezes
Plumbing code: State code

What Round Rock homeowners call plumbers about

Water Heater Maintenance
At around 14 grains per gallon, sediment builds quickly in tank heaters, so yearly flushing makes a real difference here.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless units are popular in newer homes but need regular descaling with water this hard.
Faucet Repair and Replacement
Scale stiffens cartridges and clogs aerators, so faucet and shower valve repairs come up often.

Round Rock's very hard water and your plumbing

Round Rock's water comes from Lake Georgetown and the Edwards Aquifer, plus Lake Travis water treated by the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority. The city's 2025 report puts average hardness at 249 mg/L, about 14.55 grains per gallon, and notes it causes aesthetic problems such as water spots rather than plumbing damage. [1]

≈ 14.6 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 Round Rock

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 Round Rock homes, based on local conditions.

Permits and code in Round Rock

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

When Round Rock gets a hard freeze

Occasional hard freezes · median home built 2003

Before winter:Winterizing checklist Outdoor faucets Find your shutoff

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

Plumbing in Round Rock's newer homes

The median home in Round Rock was built in 2003, and 8% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with PEX or CPVC supply and PVC or ABS drains.

Median home: 2003

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:Water heater replacement Toilet repair Leak detection

Heavy rain and storms

After storms:Sewer backup Basement flooding Sump pumps

Plumbing services for Round Rock homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Round Rock plumbing questions

How hard is Round Rock's water?

The city's 2025 water quality report gives an average of 249 mg/L, about 14.55 grains per gallon, which is in the very hard range.

Does Round Rock's hard water damage plumbing?

The city says this hardness causes aesthetic issues like spots rather than damage. Scale does build up in water heaters and tankless units, which is why flushing and descaling are recommended.

How often should a Round Rock tankless water heater be descaled?

Follow the manufacturer's schedule; with very hard water many installers recommend at least once a year.

Where does Round Rock get its water?

From Lake Georgetown, the Edwards Aquifer and Lake Travis, the last treated by the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
City of Round Rock, 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-02
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners · checked 2026-10-02