Eau Claire County · Eau Claire, WI
Plumbers in Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire is in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. About 42,000 people live in the ZIP code we cover here, in roughly 18,000 homes, 58% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (28%), 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 Eau Claire
54701
Eau Claire homes and their plumbing
Here is how Eau Claire's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 12%, 1940–1959 17%, 1960–1979 24%, 1980–1999 28%, 2000 or later 18%. 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.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 12% |
| 1940–1959 | 17% |
| 1960–1979 | 24% |
| 1980–1999 | 28% |
| 2000 or later | 18% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 42,348
- Housing units
- 17,932
- Single-family detached
- 58%
- Owner-occupied
- 59%
- Heated with utility gas
- 58%
- Heated with electricity
- 30%
- Heated with propane
- 8%
What goes wrong in Eau Claire homes
Long, hard winters
54% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Wisconsin winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
30% of homes in Eau Claire's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 12% of them before 1940. 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.
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.
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
28% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999. Polybutylene supply pipe was installed widely in US homes from about 1978 to 1995, so houses from these years are worth checking for gray plastic pipe stamped PB2110, usually visible at the water heater or under sinks. Insurers and buyers often ask about it. See polybutylene replacement.
Common calls in Eau Claire
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Whole-House Repiping
- Gas Line Repair
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Water Softener Installation in Eau Claire, WI
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
Also available in Eau Claire: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Eau Claire at a glance
- County
- Eau Claire County
- ZIP codes
- 54701
Eau Claire plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Eau Claire?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Eau Claire, Census estimates put 30% of homes as built before 1960, 24% from 1960 to 1979, 28% from 1980 to 1999 and 18% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (28%).
Who licenses plumbers in Eau Claire, WI?
Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) licenses plumbers.
Are water heaters in Eau Claire usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 58% of homes heating with utility gas, 30% with electricity and 8% 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.
Guides for Eau Claire homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Altoona (3 mi), Fall Creek (11 mi), Osseo (22 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 Eau Claire, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Eau Claire?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.