Cape Girardeau County · Cape Girardeau, MO
Plumbers in Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau is in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. About 47,000 people live in the 3 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 22,000 homes, 65% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (30%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 3 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Cape Girardeau
63701, 63702, 63703
Cape Girardeau homes and their plumbing
Here is how Cape Girardeau's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 12%, 1940–1959 13%, 1960–1979 30%, 1980–1999 27%, 2000 or later 18%. Most homes are old enough that original pipe, valves and water heaters are wearing out, but young enough that full repipes are a case-by-case call.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 12% |
| 1940–1959 | 13% |
| 1960–1979 | 30% |
| 1980–1999 | 27% |
| 2000 or later | 18% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 47,303
- Housing units
- 22,016
- Single-family detached
- 65%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Heated with utility gas
- 43%
- Heated with electricity
- 52%
- Heated with propane
- 4%
What goes wrong in Cape Girardeau homes
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
30% of the housing here dates from 1960 to 1979. Original copper supply lines in those homes are now 45 to 65 years old, and cast iron drains of that age scale up inside and crack. Seized shutoff valves, pinhole leaks and recurring main-line clogs are common calls. A camera inspection shows the condition of the sewer line before anyone digs.
Winter freezes
55% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Missouri winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Hard water
Missouri water is generally hard. With 52% of homes here on electric heat, scale on electric water heater elements is a frequent failure. See water softener installation.
Common calls in Cape Girardeau
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Softener Installation in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Cape Girardeau: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Cape Girardeau at a glance
- County
- Cape Girardeau County
- ZIP codes
- 63701, 63702, 63703
Cape Girardeau plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Cape Girardeau?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Cape Girardeau, Census estimates put 25% of homes as built before 1960, 30% from 1960 to 1979, 27% from 1980 to 1999 and 18% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (30%).
Who licenses plumbers in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Missouri has no statewide plumbing license; cities and counties such as St. Louis and Kansas City license plumbers locally.
Are water heaters in Cape Girardeau usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 43% of homes heating with utility gas, 52% with electricity and 4% with propane. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so electricity is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
Guides for Cape Girardeau homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Dutchtown (6 mi), Gordonville (6 mi), Scott City (6 mi), Jackson (7 mi), Kelso (8 mi), Chaffee (11 mi), Commerce (12 mi), Delta (13 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Cape Girardeau, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Cape Girardeau?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.