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Plumbing in Stuart

Plumbing calls in Stuart often trace back to how old the house is and whether it sits on city water, Martin County water, a private well or septic.

County
Martin County
Permits
Usually the City of Stuart for addresses inside city limits, and Martin County for unincorporated areas. Confirm for your address.

The Stuart area has a wide range of plumbing. Homes built in the 1950s through the 1970s near downtown, in East Stuart and around Port Salerno may still have galvanized steel supply lines or cast iron drain lines under the slab. Homes from the 1980s and later are more likely to have copper or plastic piping. Newer gated communities along the river and in Palm City were built with modern materials, but they bring their own issues, such as long hot water runs and irrigation tied into the house supply.

Who supplies your water and takes your sewage

Inside Stuart city limits, water and sewer usually come from the City of Stuart. In unincorporated areas with a Stuart address, Martin County Utilities serves many neighborhoods, but some homes still have private wells and septic tanks. Martin County has been converting older neighborhoods from septic to central sewer through its Connect to Protect program. Port Salerno and New Monrovia, North River Shores and other older areas have been part of that work, and Sewall's Point has its own conversion projects. If your street is being connected, you will likely need a licensed plumber for the private side of the connection and to deal with the old tank. Confirm the schedule and what you are responsible for with Martin County Utilities.

Permits and older drains

Repiping, water heater replacement, sewer connection work and most jobs beyond a simple repair usually need a plumbing permit from the City of Stuart or the Martin County Building Department, depending on your address. Cast iron drains in older homes tend to crack and scale from the inside. A camera inspection of the drain line before you agree to a large job is a fair thing to ask for, and it lets you see the problem yourself.

Waterfront and flood areas

Low lying streets near the St. Lucie River and Manatee Pocket can see high water during storms and king tides. That can push water back up into floor drains or slow down septic systems. Ask about backflow prevention on the sewer line if you have had water come up through a drain during a storm.

For general information on plumbing jobs and pricing, see our plumbing guide. See also Stuart, septic service in Stuart and water heaters in Stuart.

Check before you hireFlorida licenses plumbing contractors. Look up the license at myfloridalicense.com and ask for proof of insurance before work starts.

Plumbing questions in Stuart

My Stuart neighborhood is switching from septic to sewer. What do I have to do?

Martin County runs these conversions through its Connect to Protect program. In general the county builds the main line, and the homeowner handles the connection on private property, which usually needs a licensed plumber and a permit. The old septic tank also has to be dealt with properly. Costs and grant help vary by project, so ask Martin County Utilities what applies to your street before you sign anything.

Does a repipe in Stuart need a permit?

In most cases yes. Inside Stuart city limits you would go through the City of Stuart Building Department, and in unincorporated Martin County through the Martin County Building Department. The plumbing contractor normally pulls it. Ask to see the permit number and make sure it gets a final inspection, because an open permit can cause trouble when you sell the house.

Why do older Stuart homes have so many drain problems?

Many homes built before the 1980s have cast iron drain lines under the slab. After decades they scale up inside, crack and let roots in. Galvanized supply pipes in those same homes rust from the inside and lower water pressure. A camera inspection lets the plumber show you what the line looks like before you decide between a spot repair and a larger job.

Is my water from the City of Stuart or Martin County?

If you live inside city limits it is usually the City of Stuart. Many unincorporated areas are served by Martin County Utilities, and some homes are on private wells. Your water bill tells you who supplies you. If you get no water bill, you are likely on a well, which changes what a plumber will check, such as the pump, pressure tank and filtration.

Can storms push sewer water back into my house near the river?

It can happen in low areas near the St. Lucie River and Manatee Pocket when heavy rain and high tides overload the system or flood the yard. A backwater valve on the sewer line can help in some setups. Ask a plumber whether your line is a good candidate and whether a permit is needed for the work in your jurisdiction.

For the general guide, see Plumbing on the Treasure Coast. For more about the town, see Stuart.

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