Plumbing repair · Kirkwood, Missouri
Plumbing repair in Kirkwood, MO
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Kirkwood's homes (20%) was built 1950 to 1959[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Kirkwood, in St. Louis County — ZIP 63122, counts 29,331 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
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Kirkwood at a glance for plumbing
- Population (2025 est.)
- 29,331[2]-0.5% since 2020
- County
- St. Louis[2]
- Land area
- 9.2 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1950 to 1959[1]20% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 70%[1]the 4th-highest share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 11%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 9%[1]the 6th-highest share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover
- Winter-storm & freeze days, st. louis zone
- 12[4]2016–2025
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 20[4]17 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 285[5]42 in the last 10 years; 222 paid
- Homes on utility gas heat
- 75%[1]gas piping work usually needs a permit and a licensed installer
What the local data means for plumbing in Kirkwood
Kirkwood counts 29,331 residents (2025 estimate), growing at a middle-of-the-pack -0.5% since 2020[2]. It covers 9.2 square miles (3,194 residents per square mile, the 5th densest), sits entirely in St. Louis County, in ZIP code 63122[3].
With 9% of homes built since 2010 and 70% before 1980[1], Kirkwood's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
The entire city sits in ZIP code 63122[6].
Nearest of the other suburbs we track: Webster Groves (3.6 mi E), Ballwin (7.1 mi W) and University City (7.7 mi NE)[3].
70% of Kirkwood's 12,978 housing units predate 1980 and 9% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the 4th-highest pre-1980 share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover; nearby, Webster Groves (80%), Ballwin (59%), and University City (85%) predate 1980. Houses that old can still have galvanized supply pipe or cast-iron drains — especially the 47% built before 1960.
The biggest single slice — 20% — was built 1950 to 1959, and the median home dates to 1962[1]. Neighbours from the same era tend to hit the same plumbing problems at the same time.
Freeze risk: the st. louis forecast zone logged 12 winter-storm, ice or hard-freeze days in 2016–2025, including February 2021; the latest was Dec 1, 2025[4].
Water from the sky is plumbing work too: 20 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 285 flood-insurance claims across Kirkwood's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
75% of homes heat with utility gas, and 23% of households rent[1].
Out of the 15 suburbs on this site, Kirkwood has the 3rd-oldest housing (by median year built) (1962)[1] and the 3rd-most flood reports nearby (20)[4].
Kirkwood storm calendar
Within 10 miles of Kirkwood, 2016–2025: 17 flash-flood reports and 3 flood or heavy-rain reports[4]. Peak: 70% in May, July, and August. Busiest year 2025 (4); 3 of 10 years had none. Busiest month July 2022 (3). Latest: flash-flood report, Aug 10, 2025, 8.3 mi out.
| Month | Flash flood | Flood & heavy rain | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| May | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun | 2 | – | 2 |
| Jul | 4 | – | 4 |
| Aug | 6 | – | 6 |
| Nov | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Finding plumbing help around Kirkwood
Plumbing repair contractors taking requests around Kirkwood cover ZIP code 63122.
Before you call: before the plumber arrives
The Kirkwood numbers behind this page
| Measure | Kirkwood | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built before 1960 | 47.4% | 9.8% | 38 pts higher |
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 20 | 14 | 6 more |
| Built 2010 or later | 9% | 6% | 3 pts higher |
| Built before 1980 | 70% | 54% | 16 pts higher |
| Utility-gas heat | 75% | 69% | 7 pts higher |
| Median year built | 1962 | 1977 | 15 years older |
| Renter-occupied | 23% | 23% | same as median |
Biggest gaps first. Medians are middle values across the St. Louis–area suburbs we cover, drawn from the same sources.
| City | Flood reports | NFIP claims |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkwood | 20 | 285 |
| Webster Groves 3.6 mi | 21 | 111 |
| Ballwin 7.1 mi | 16 | 244 |
| University City 7.7 mi | 27 | 1,257 |
| Maryland Heights 9.9 mi | 14 | 161 |
| Chesterfield 10.0 mi | 11 | 321 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63122 | 285 | $10,301,489 | 1993 (35) |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2025 | Flash Flood | 8.3 mi |
| May 19, 2025 | Heavy Rain | 4.9 mi |
| May 19, 2025 | Flash Flood | 7.7 mi |
| Apr 5, 2025 | Flood | 5.1 mi |
| Nov 5, 2024 | Heavy Rain | 8.9 mi |
| Nov 4, 2024 | Flash Flood | 4.3 mi |
| Apr 2, 2024 | Flash Flood | 6.4 mi |
| Jul 17, 2023 | Flash Flood | 4.0 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 265 | 2.0% | ±121 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 858 | 6.6% | ±212 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 1,320 | 10.2% | ±326 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 498 | 3.8% | ±134 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 923 | 7.1% | ±175 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 1,375 | 10.6% | ±270 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 1,589 | 12.2% | ±256 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 2,623 | 20.2% | ±350 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 1,383 | 10.7% | ±296 |
| 1939 or earlier | 2,144 | 16.5% | ±270 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 12,978 |
| Detached single-family | 9,693 (75%) |
| Occupied homes | 11,992 |
| Owner-occupied | 9,254 (77%) |
| Renter-occupied | 2,738 (23%) |
| Median home value | $451,400 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas | 9,047 | 75.4% | ±425 |
| Electricity | 2,697 | 22.5% | ±401 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 135 | 1.1% | ±82 |
| Solar energy | 51 | 0.4% | ±47 |
| No fuel used | 41 | 0.3% | ±33 |
| Other fuel | 11 | 0.1% | ±17 |
| Wood | 8 | 0.1% | ±15 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 2 | 0.0% | ±4 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Kirkwood's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 63122 | 100% | 63% |
Dated heat and freeze records for the ST. LOUIS forecast zone: see the county list.
plumbing questions from Kirkwood homeowners
Are Kirkwood homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 47% were built before 1960 and 70% before 1980[1].
How often do pipes freeze in Kirkwood?
The record for Kirkwood's forecast zone shows 12 winter-storm or freeze days over 2016–2025, in 7 different years[4].
Which ZIP codes are covered in Kirkwood?
63122[6], in St. Louis County. Nearby suburbs with their own pages: Webster Groves (3.6 mi), Ballwin (7.1 mi), and University City (7.7 mi)[3].
Sources
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.