Plumbers in Wilson, NC

Wilson in brief

Wilson is the Wilson County seat, about 40 miles east of Raleigh in a straight line, where I-95 meets I-795 and I-587. It was once billed as the World's Greatest Tobacco Market, and the downtown warehouse districts, the Old Wilson and West Nash Street historic districts and East Wilson all date from that era. Newer subdivisions are mostly in the northwest. Nearly 48,000 people lived here at the 2020 Census.

Water from city-owned lakes

Wilson Water Resources treats over 9 million gallons a day at the Wiggins Mill and Toisnot plants, drawing from Buckhorn Lake, Wiggins Mill Reservoir, Lake Wilson and Toisnot Reservoir, with an emergency connection to the Tar River Reservoir. The city also sells water to Wilson County water districts, so many homes outside the city get Wilson water too. The 2022 report lists free chlorine, not chloramine, and showed no violations.

The city owns the service line from the main to the property line or meter pit, and the homeowner owns the rest. So a leak between the meter and the house is generally a job for your plumber, while a leak at the main or before the meter is the city's. Wilson's lead service line inventory covers homes built in 1986 or earlier, and the city asks owners to report what their pipe is made of.

Wastewater goes to the city's Hominy Creek Water Reclamation Facility on Old Stantonsburg Road.

Two local rules that come up often

1. Garage water heaters must sit 18 inches off the floor. The city lists this among its most common code violations, so it's worth checking if you're replacing one.
2. Lawn irrigation on a split tap needs a backflow assembly. Usually a double check, or a reduced-pressure assembly where booster pumps or chemicals add a hazard. It must be tested within 10 days of installation and at least once a year by a certified tester, with the results sent to the city.

Gas and heat

Natural gas in Wilson comes from Wilson Energy, the city's own system, with more than 400 miles of main. About 29% of homes in the 27893 ZIP heat with utility gas and about 63% with electricity. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or Wilson Energy from outside.

Housing and permits

The median Wilson home was built in 1983, a little newer than in surrounding towns, though about 46% were built before 1980. Inside the city, permits and water or sewer tap applications go through the Permit Desk at City Hall on Goldsboro Street. Outside city jurisdiction, Wilson County Inspections issues them.

Compared with Raleigh

Raleigh homes buy gas from Enbridge Gas North Carolina, and Raleigh Water uses chloramine most of the year. Wilson does neither. When you call, describe the problem and whether it involves gas, and you'll be connected with an independent local plumber who works in Wilson.