Need a plumber in Memphis? Memphis homes aren't built for hard freezes, so storms like February 2021 and December 2022 burst pipes across the city. The water from the Memphis Sand Aquifer is soft. Call Same Day Plumber to reach a licensed Memphis plumber for burst pipes and sewer roots.
Need a Plumber in Memphis Today?
When you call, say whether the pipe is in the attic, the crawl space or an outside wall, since those are the ones a freeze gets first. The plumber who answers works in Memphis, including Downtown, Cooper-Young, Binghampton and Cordova, and is independent of Same Day Plumber. Get the arrival window and any after-hours fee on the phone.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Memphis
When something goes wrong fast in a Memphis home, it's usually one of these. Here's what to do first.
- Burst pipe in a winter storm: close the main shutoff and open a faucet. See burst pipe.
- Sewage backing up: stop using water. Roots in older lines are a common cause. See sewer backup.
- Leaking water heater: turn off gas or power and the cold inlet. See water heater leaking.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to Memphis the same day, including nights and weekends. If you smell gas, leave the building first and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
24/7 Plumbing Services in Memphis
- Emergency PlumbingBurst pipes, flooding, sewage backups and loss of water, any hour.
- Drain CleaningClogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main sewer lines.
- Water Heater Repair & ReplacementNo hot water, leaking tanks, tank and tankless repair or replacement.
- Leak Detection & RepairHidden, slab and pipe leaks found and fixed before they cause damage.
- Sewer Line RepairCamera inspection, sewer repair and trenchless replacement.
- Pipe Repair & RepipingBurst, frozen and corroded pipes repaired or replaced.
- Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking and broken toilets repaired or replaced.
- Faucet & Fixture RepairFaucets, garbage disposals and shower valves.
- Sump Pump RepairSump pump repair, replacement and battery backups.
- Gas Line RepairGas leak repair and appliance hookups by licensed plumbers.
- Water Softeners & FiltrationWater softeners, whole-house filtration and well pumps.
- Commercial Plumbing & BackflowCommercial plumbing service and backflow testing.
Common Plumbing Problems in Memphis Homes
Memphis draws its drinking water from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, through wells 350 to 1,100 feet deep. The result is soft water: MLGW's 2024 report shows an average hardness of about 2.7 grains per gallon, so scale buildup is rarely a problem.
The median home was built in 1970, and freeze damage is the city's biggest plumbing risk. Memphis doesn't get many hard freezes, so homes aren't built for them, and the winter storms of February 2021 and December 2022 burst pipes across the city.
Why Memphis Pipes Burst in Winter Storms
Memphis doesn't get many hard freezes, so pipes in attics, crawl spaces and exterior walls are rarely insulated. When storms like February 2021 and December 2022 bring several days below freezing, those lines split, often in more than one place. Before a freeze, insulate exposed pipes, drip exterior-wall faucets and find the main shutoff. After it, check for leaks as pipes thaw.
Tree Roots in Memphis Sewer Lines
Midtown and East Memphis have mature trees and older clay and cast iron sewer lines, a combination that leads to root intrusion. Roots enter at joints and cracks, catch debris and cause backups that return after cleaning. Hydro jetting clears them; a camera inspection shows whether the pipe needs repair.
Aging Pipes
With a median home built in 1970, many houses have aging galvanized supply lines and cast iron drains.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in Memphis
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in Memphis.
- Freeze repairs in several places. Uninsulated pipes often split at more than one point.
- Root-damaged sewers. A camera inspection decides whether cleaning is enough.
- Finding the problem. Leak locating and camera inspections are separate steps, but they keep the repair itself small.
- Time of day. Many companies charge an after-hours, weekend or holiday fee.
- Permits. When a job needs one, it comes from Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement, and the plumber usually pulls it.
- Ask for the arrival fee before the plumber heads out, and for the repair price in writing before work starts.
How to Find a Licensed Plumber in Memphis
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever Memphis plumber you end up hiring.
Check the Tennessee License
Contractors in Tennessee, including plumbing contractors on larger jobs, are licensed by the state. Before any work starts at your Memphis home, ask for the license number and look it up with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
Confirm Who Pulls the Permit
For work that needs a permit, the plumber should pull it from Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. Plumbing work in Memphis follows the Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code, based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code.
What to Ask on the Phone
- What is the arrival window?
- Is there a service, trip or after-hours fee?
- For an emergency, will you stop the damage first and quote the permanent repair before starting it?
- What is your license number?
Plumbers in Cities Near Memphis
FAQs About Plumbers in Memphis
Where does Memphis water come from?
MLGW pumps it from the Memphis Sand Aquifer through wells 350 to 1,100 feet deep.
How quickly can I get a plumber in Memphis?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in Memphis you are. The plumber gives you an arrival window when you call. During a citywide event such as a hard freeze or major storm, waits are longer, so shut off the water and limit the damage while you wait.
Find a Same-Day Plumber in Memphis, TN
If you have freeze damage, aging pipes or another plumbing problem in Memphis, call now. You'll be connected to a licensed plumber who works in your area, and you'll know the arrival window and any fee before they head out.