Plumbing service in Florida
Call NowFlorida plumbing runs on slabs, sandy soil and a high water table, with hurricane season, salt air near the coast and, in parts of the state, very hard water.
Florida weather and your plumbing
Florida is warm and humid most of the year. Summer brings near-daily thunderstorms, hurricane season runs June through November, and North Florida occasionally sees hard freezes. Low elevation and sandy soil mean water tables are often close to the surface.
Season by season in Florida
- Hurricane season
- Storm surge, flooding and long power outages affect lift stations, septic systems and sewage ejector pumps.
- Winter
- North Florida and the Panhandle get occasional freezes that catch exposed pipes and pool equipment.
Problems the Florida climate causes
Slab leaks
Cause: Shifting sandy soil and aging copper under slabs.
Result: Pinhole leaks under the floor raise water bills and damage flooring.
Do: Ask for electronic leak detection to locate the leak before any concrete is broken.
Septic failures after storms
Cause: Saturating rain and high water tables.
Result: Drain fields flood and wastewater backs up.
Do: Limit water use until the ground drains, and have the tank inspected if backups continue.
Housing in Florida
Most Florida homes sit on concrete slabs. Many from the 1970s through the 1990s were plumbed with copper or polybutylene under or through the slab, and cast-iron drains in older homes are prone to scaling and cracking. Much of the state outside the cities relies on septic systems.
Where calls are covered in Florida
- Covered ZIP codes
- 959
- Cities and towns with coverage
- 422
Most covered ZIP codes
- Miami · 56 ZIPs
- Orlando · 34 ZIPs
- Jacksonville · 33 ZIPs
- Fort Lauderdale · 27 ZIPs
- Tampa · 27 ZIPs
- Saint Petersburg · 16 ZIPs
- Naples · 15 ZIPs
- Pensacola · 14 ZIPs
Check whether your exact Florida ZIP code is covered (coverage changes over time)
Florida questions
Why are cast-iron drains failing in older Florida homes?
Cast iron under slabs corrodes and cracks over decades, especially in humid, sandy conditions. A camera inspection shows whether lining or replacement is needed.
What should I do with my plumbing before a hurricane?
Know where the main shutoff is, turn off the water if you evacuate, and if you are on septic, avoid heavy water use until flooding recedes.
How do I check a plumber's license in Florida?
Florida licenses plumbing contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A certified plumbing contractor may work anywhere in the state; a registered contractor may work only in the county or city where the local registration was issued.