Louisville metro

Plumbing Services in Louisville, KY

Older homes with basements, combined sewers in the urban core under MSD, karst limestone, moderately hard Ohio River water, and freeze-thaw winters.

Plumber reaching under a bathroom sink to tighten a drain pipe
Plumbing in Louisville at a glanceLouisville’s older neighborhoods — Old Louisville, the Highlands, Germantown and Crescent Hill — have homes from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s with basements, cast iron drains, galvanized supply lines and clay sewer laterals. Mature trees send roots into those laterals, and much of the region sits on karst limestone where sinkholes and ground movement can stress buried pipes.

Louisville Water Company draws from the Ohio River, and the water is moderately hard. Louisville and Jefferson County’s Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) serves the city, and the urban core has combined sewers that can surcharge during heavy rain. Winters bring regular freezes, and basements flood during spring storms.

White kitchen with farmhouse sink and pendant light

Housing & construction

Victorian and early-1900s homes in Old Louisville and the Highlands, shotgun houses in Germantown and Butchertown, and suburban homes throughout Jefferson County.

Plumbing services in Louisville

Also common in Louisville: water heater repair, drain cleaning.

What makes Louisville plumbing different

01

Combined sewers

The urban core’s combined sewers can back water into basements during storms.

02

Karst limestone

Ground movement and sinkholes can disturb buried lines.

03

Older basements

Floor drains and sump pumps carry heavy loads in spring.

04

Moderately hard water

Scale builds in water heaters over time.

Seasonal plumbing calendar for Louisville

  1. Spring stormsTest sump pumps and check backwater protection.
  2. WinterInsulate exterior-wall and basement pipes.

Plumbing emergency in Louisville?

  1. Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
  2. Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
  3. For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
  4. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Call (866) 417-0220

Louisville plumbing questions

Who handles sewers in Louisville?

The Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD).

Why does my Louisville basement back up in storms?

Combined sewers in the urban core can surcharge in heavy rain; a backwater valve helps.

Is Louisville water hard?

It’s moderately hard; check Louisville Water Company’s quality report.

Nearby service areas

We also serve communities around Louisville, including Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, Shively, New Albany, IN, Jeffersonville, IN.

Need a plumber today?

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Call now(866) 417-0220