Riley County · Manhattan, KS
Plumbers in Manhattan, KS
Manhattan is in Riley County, Kansas. About 43,000 people live in the ZIP code we cover here, in roughly 21,000 homes, 48% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built in 2000 or later (27%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 1 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Manhattan
66502
Manhattan homes and their plumbing
Here is how Manhattan's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 9%, 1940–1959 17%, 1960–1979 25%, 1980–1999 21%, 2000 or later 27%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often. Neighboring areas such as Salina are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 9% |
| 1940–1959 | 17% |
| 1960–1979 | 25% |
| 1980–1999 | 21% |
| 2000 or later | 27% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 43,247
- Housing units
- 20,700
- Single-family detached
- 48%
- Owner-occupied
- 45%
- Heated with utility gas
- 58%
- Heated with electricity
- 37%
- Heated with propane
- 4%
What goes wrong in Manhattan homes
Natural gas in most homes
58% of occupied homes here heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters, ranges and dryers are common. That means gas line extensions for new appliances, flexible connector replacements and venting checks when a water heater is swapped. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility from outside. See gas line repair.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
26% of homes in Manhattan's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
Winter freezes
51% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Kansas winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Hard water
Kansas water is generally hard. With 58% of homes here on gas, scale settles as sediment in gas water heater tanks, which then rumble and wear out early. See water softener installation.
Common calls in Manhattan
- Gas Line Repair
- Whole-House Repiping
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair in Manhattan, KS
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Manhattan: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Manhattan at a glance
- County
- Riley County
- ZIP codes
- 66502
Manhattan plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Manhattan?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Manhattan, Census estimates put 26% of homes as built before 1960, 25% from 1960 to 1979, 21% from 1980 to 1999 and 27% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 2000 or later (27%).
Who licenses plumbers in Manhattan, KS?
Kansas does not issue a statewide plumbing license; cities and counties such as Wichita and Johnson County license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Manhattan usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 58% of homes heating with utility gas, 37% with electricity and 4% with propane. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
I rent in Manhattan. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 55% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Kansas landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Manhattan homeowners
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Manhattan, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Manhattan?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.