Plumbing repair · Galveston, Texas
Plumbing repair in Galveston, TX
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Galveston's homes (20%) was built 1939 or earlier[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Galveston, in Galveston County — ZIPs 77554, 77550, 77551, 77555, counts 53,636 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
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The Galveston plumbing picture in brief
- Population (2025 est.)
- 53,636[2]-0.1% since 2020
- County
- Galveston[2]
- Land area
- 41.0 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1939 or earlier[1]20% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 61%[1]the highest share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 20%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 11%[1]the 3rd-lowest share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover
- Winter-storm & freeze days, galveston zone
- 1[4]2016–2025
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 4[4]4 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 21,608[5]1,493 in the last 10 years; 17,236 paid
Reading the Galveston data for plumbing
Galveston is one of the most established suburbs tracked here — 53,636 people (2025 estimate), down just 0.1% since 2020[2]. It covers 41.0 square miles (1,307 residents per square mile, the 12th densest), sits entirely in Galveston County, in ZIP codes 77554, 77550, 77551, 77555[3].
With 11% of homes built since 2010 and 61% before 1980[1], Galveston's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
4 ZIP codes cover Galveston — 77554 (72% of the city's land), 77550 (18% of the city's land), 77551 (10% of the city's land), 77555 (0% of the city's land)[7].
The tracked suburbs closest by are Texas City (17.7 mi N), League City (22.7 mi N) and Friendswood (26.3 mi NW)[3].
61% of Galveston's 35,776 housing units predate 1980 and 11% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the highest pre-1980 share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover; nearby, Texas City (44%), League City (14%), and Friendswood (30%) predate 1980. Houses that old can still have galvanized supply pipe or cast-iron drains — especially the 32% built before 1960.
The biggest single slice — 20% — was built 1939 or earlier, and the median home dates to 1973[1]. Neighbours from the same era tend to hit the same plumbing problems at the same time.
Freeze risk: the galveston forecast zone logged 1 winter-storm, ice or hard-freeze day in 2016–2025; the latest was Dec 8, 2017[4].
Water from the sky is plumbing work too: 4 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 21,608 flood-insurance claims across Galveston's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
35% of homes heat with utility gas, and 54% of households rent[1]. Tenants: report plumbing failures to the landlord in writing.
Measured against the 15 suburbs on this site, Galveston records the highest pre-1980 housing share (61%)[1], the oldest housing (by median year built) (1973)[1], the fewest flood reports nearby (4)[4], and the 2nd-lowest gas-heat share (35%)[1].
plumbing help in Galveston: what to do next
Requests go to Plumbing repair contractors serving the Galveston area — ZIP codes 77554, 77550, 77551, 77555.
Before reaching out: before the plumber arrives
The Galveston numbers behind this page
| Measure | Galveston | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built before 1960 | 32.2% | 9.7% | 23 pts higher |
| Built before 1980 | 61% | 28% | 33 pts higher |
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 4 | 15 | 11 fewer |
| Built 2010 or later | 11% | 19% | 8 pts lower |
| Utility-gas heat | 35% | 50% | 14 pts lower |
| Renter-occupied | 54% | 43% | 10 pts higher |
| Median year built | 1973 | 1993 | 20 years older |
Biggest gaps first. Medians are middle values across the Houston-area suburbs we cover, drawn from the same sources.
| City | Flood reports | NFIP claims | Freeze days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston | 4 | 21,608 | 1 |
| Texas City 17.7 mi | 12 | 12,018 | 1 |
| League City 22.7 mi | 32 | 19,518 | 1 |
| Friendswood 26.3 mi | 30 | 6,059 | 1 |
| Pearland 33.4 mi | 17 | 5,580 | 1 |
| La Porte 33.6 mi | 18 | 4,801 | 4 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77554 | 6,962 | $144,148,962 | 2008 (4868) |
| 77550 | 8,119 | $319,491,084 | 2008 (5399) |
| 77551 | 6,508 | $358,474,345 | 2008 (3832) |
| 77555 | 19 | $3,244,120 | 2008 (11) |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2024 | Flash Flood | 9.1 mi |
| Sep 29, 2018 | Flash Flood | 5.5 mi |
| Sep 3, 2018 | Flash Flood | 3.0 mi |
| Jun 4, 2016 | Flash Flood | 9.3 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 272 | 0.8% | ±111 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 3,521 | 9.8% | ±459 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 3,150 | 8.8% | ±409 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 1,984 | 5.5% | ±376 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 4,999 | 14.0% | ±536 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 5,798 | 16.2% | ±544 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 4,531 | 12.7% | ±525 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 2,971 | 8.3% | ±370 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 1,375 | 3.8% | ±251 |
| 1939 or earlier | 7,175 | 20.1% | ±500 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 35,776 |
| Detached single-family | 20,138 (56%) |
| Occupied homes | 25,198 |
| Owner-occupied | 11,654 (46%) |
| Renter-occupied | 13,544 (54%) |
| Median home value | $326,000 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 15,912 | 63.1% | ±726 |
| Utility gas | 8,886 | 35.3% | ±564 |
| No fuel used | 220 | 0.9% | ±109 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 103 | 0.4% | ±69 |
| Coal or coke | 24 | 0.1% | ±24 |
| Solar energy | 22 | 0.1% | ±20 |
| Other fuel | 21 | 0.1% | ±29 |
| Wood | 6 | 0.0% | ±9 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 4 | 0.0% | ±7 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Galveston's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 77554 | 72% | 95% |
| 77550 | 18% | 100% |
| 77551 | 10% | 100% |
| 77555 | 0% | 100% |
Dated heat and freeze records for the GALVESTON forecast zone: see the county list.
Common Galveston plumbing questions
Are Galveston homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 32% were built before 1960 and 61% before 1980[1].
How often do pipes freeze in Galveston?
The record for Galveston's forecast zone shows 1 winter-storm or freeze day over 2016–2025, in 1 different year[4].
Which ZIP codes are covered in Galveston?
77554, 77550, 77551, and 77555[7], in Galveston County. Nearby suburbs with their own pages: Texas City (17.7 mi), League City (22.7 mi), and Friendswood (26.3 mi)[3].
I rent in Galveston. Who arranges the repair?
54% of occupied Galveston homes are rented[1], the 2nd-highest share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover. Tell your landlord or property manager in writing first; your lease says who arranges repairs.
Sources
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (link unverified)
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.