Matthews is mostly a 1980s to 2000s town. Census data puts the median home here at 1994, with only about 3% built before 1960, and that age profile shapes the plumbing calls. Original water heaters in subdivisions built in the same few years tend to wear out together, some 1980s and early 1990s homes still have polybutylene supply pipe, and gas water heaters in garages are common.
This page covers those problems, how to tell a Charlotte Water issue from a private repair, the Mecklenburg County permit rules that apply in Matthews, and how to check a plumber before you hire. If water is running right now, go to emergency plumber in Matthews.
Common plumbing problems in Matthews homes
Pin-hole leaks and failed fittings on older plastic or copper lines are the other common call. For those, see pipe repair and repiping in Matthews.
Does my Matthews home have polybutylene pipe?
If it was built or replumbed between the late 1970s and mid-1990s, it might. Polybutylene is flexible gray plastic supply pipe, often stamped PB2110. Look where pipes come out of the water heater, under sinks and where lines come through the crawl-space or garage floor. It tends to fail at fittings without warning, which is why many owners replace it before it leaks.
My water heater is original to the house. Should I replace it before it fails?
If it's around 10 years old or more, it's worth checking the age on the serial-number label and looking for rust or moisture at the base. A planned replacement costs less than an emergency one and avoids water damage. See water heater installation and replacement in Matthews.
What should I know about a gas water heater in the garage?
In a garage, a gas water heater is generally required to be raised or protected from vehicle impact, and the flue pipe should be tight and free of rust at the joints. A replacement is a good time to correct both, and the county inspector checks them.
Charlotte Water or a plumber in Matthews?
Matthews gets its water and sewer service from Charlotte Water, not from the Town of Matthews. That means the same rules apply as in Charlotte: the utility owns the system up to the meter, and the plumbing from the meter to and inside the house belongs to the owner.
- Water coming up in the street, a leaking meter box or a main break: Charlotte Water at 311 or 704-336-7600, 24 hours a day.
- A leak inside the house or between the meter and the house: a plumber.
- A sewer backup affecting several houses on the street: Charlotte Water first.
Permits and inspections in Matthews
Repiping, sewer line replacement and moving fixtures also need permits. Simple repairs, such as replacing a faucet or fixing a leak at a fitting, usually don't.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Matthews?
Yes. Matthews is in Mecklenburg County, and Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement issues residential plumbing permits; the county lists water heater replacement among projects that need one. A licensed plumber normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection. Ask for the permit number.
How to check a plumber in Matthews
- Look up the license. North Carolina plumbing contractors are licensed by the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors, which has a public license search.
- Ask about the trip or diagnostic fee up front, and whether it's credited toward the repair.
- Get the total price in writing before work starts.
- For a water heater, ask whether the quote includes the permit, haul-away and code-required parts such as an expansion tank.
- For a repipe, ask which rooms will need drywall openings and who patches them.
How SteadWell works in Matthews
SteadWell is a free referral service, not a plumbing company. We connect you with an independent, licensed plumber who serves Matthews; that plumber sets the price and schedule and stands behind the work. Nearby, we also cover Mint Hill, Stallings, Indian Trail and Charlotte.