Plumbing for Temple Terrace’s mid-century homes
Most of Temple Terrace was built between the mid-1950s and the mid-1970s. That means the homes here share a specific set of plumbing problems that come with the era: copper systems that are starting to fail from pinhole leaks, the last generation of galvanized in the older sections, aging water heaters, and hard-water damage to fixtures.
Jerry Calhoun runs Son of a Plumber Inc. and has spent his career working on this kind of housing stock across Tampa Bay. Call or text 813-368-6028 for a quote, an emergency, or a free second opinion.
What we see in Temple Terrace homes
Copper pinhole leaks from 1950s and 1960s builds
Type M copper was the standard supply pipe when much of Temple Terrace was built. Sixty years in Florida ground and Hillsborough County water, copper starts developing pinhole leaks (sometimes in the wall, sometimes above the ceiling, sometimes in the slab). You notice damp spots, mystery drops in water pressure, or the water meter turning when nothing is running.
Pinhole leaks are almost never a one-off. If you have had one, more are on the way. The right conversation is whether it makes sense to spot-repair while you plan a repipe, or whether the plumbing is telling you it is time to convert to PEX. Jerry can look at your setup and tell you honestly which one makes sense for your house.
Water heaters that were installed a long time ago
Tank water heaters have a 10 to 15 year service life. If your Temple Terrace home has not had a heater replacement in the last 15 years, there is a good chance the one you have now is on borrowed time. Jerry is a Rheem-certified installer and can install a right-sized tank, a hybrid heat pump water heater, or a tankless system depending on your gas availability, wall space, and hot water demand. Tankless is a strong option in these homes because so many were built with gas service to the water heater already.
Hard water is real in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough water runs hard, and Temple Terrace is no exception. Signs your home would benefit from a water softener include soap that will not lather, scale on shower doors and fixtures, appliances that die younger than they should, and skin and hair that feel dry. A properly sized whole-house softener extends the life of your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine, and makes a real difference in day-to-day use.
The polybutylene window
A small percentage of homes built in the late 1970s and early 1980s across the Tampa Bay area were plumbed with polybutylene supply lines. Polybutylene is known to fail. If your home is from that window and you have not had it checked, it is worth pulling a panel or two to look. If you have polybutylene, replacement is not optional. It is a matter of when.
Cast iron drain lines in the older parts of the neighborhood
Homes built before the mid-1970s in Temple Terrace typically have cast iron drain and vent lines. Same problems as elsewhere: interior scaling, rust-through, and eventual failure. Jerry runs a camera scope so you can see the actual condition before anyone recommends work. See our sewer lines page for details.
Services we handle in Temple Terrace
Whole-house repipes (copper or PEX), pinhole leak repair, water heater installation and repair (tank, tankless, hybrid), water softener installation and service, water filtration systems, drain cleaning and cast iron scoping, sewer line repair, slab leak detection, kitchen and bathroom plumbing, and emergency service.
Why Temple Terrace homeowners work with Jerry
Jerry is the guy who answers the phone, comes to the estimate, and does the actual work. He has been running Son of a Plumber Inc. solo for seven years, is licensed (CFC1430455) and insured, and has spent time at Buck’s Wholesale on the counter, meaning he knows what parts are worth the money and which ones are marketing.
He offers free second opinions when another plumber has quoted a big job. If you have a repipe estimate or a water heater quote you are not sure about, Jerry will give you a straight read.
Get in touch
Call or text Jerry at 813-368-6028 or reach out through the contact form.