Your home’s plumbing is its foundation. 3rd Rock Plumbing, LLC has earned its 4.7-star reputation across 127 reviews by making sure that foundation is rock-solid. Operating from our West Hickory headquarters on 19th St SW, we provide master-level plumbing to the historic Furniture Capital neighborhoods and the growing residential hubs of Conover, Newton, and Long View. In the Catawba Valley, where industrial heritage meets modern residential growth, your plumbing needs a contractor who understands both legacy infrastructure and cutting-edge efficiency.
Hickory’s plumbing landscape reflects its history: homes built during the furniture boom of the 1950s-1970s with galvanized pipes and cast iron drains, newer subdivisions in Viewmont and Oakwood with modern PEX systems, and Lake Hickory properties facing unique water quality challenges. We don’t just react to leaks and clogs—we diagnose the underlying causes and engineer solutions that last decades, not months.
Specialized Water & Gas Solutions for Catawba County
3rd Rock Plumbing, LLC focuses on the residential and light commercial plumbing challenges that define life in Hickory and the surrounding Catawba Valley communities:
- Tankless Water Heater Installation & Service — Endless hot water for Viewmont and Oakwood estates. We install and maintain gas and electric tankless systems that deliver on-demand hot water while reducing energy costs by 20-30% compared to conventional tanks. In Hickory’s hard water conditions (moderate calcium and mineral content), we emphasize proper descaling maintenance and install whole-house water softeners when needed to extend tankless unit life. Whether you’re upgrading from a failing tank or building new construction in Conover, we size systems correctly for household demand and local gas pressure.
- Advanced Drain Cleaning with Hydro-Jetting — High-velocity scouring for Hickory’s manufacturing-era lines. Many of Hickory’s established neighborhoods—built when the furniture industry dominated the local economy—have cast iron drains that accumulate decades of scale, grease, and corrosion. We use professional hydro-jetting equipment delivering 3,000+ PSI water streams to scour pipe walls clean, removing buildup that cable snaking can’t touch. For homes near Lenoir-Rhyne University or in the historic downtown corridor, this technology restores full flow without replacing entire drain systems.
- Certified Backflow Testing & Prevention — Keeping the Catawba Valley water supply safe. North Carolina requires annual backflow testing for properties with irrigation systems, fire suppression lines, or commercial water connections. We’re certified to test, repair, and install backflow prevention devices that protect municipal water from contamination. Whether you’re a homeowner with a lawn sprinkler system in Newton or managing a mixed-use property near the Hickory Furniture Mart, we handle the testing, documentation, and reporting that keeps you compliant with Catawba County regulations.
- Kitchen & Bath Fixture Upgrades — Professional installation for Newton and Conover remodels. From high-efficiency toilets to designer faucets and walk-in shower conversions, we handle the plumbing side of your renovation with precision. Our team understands the structural realities of Hickory-area homes—how to work with crawlspace access in older properties, where water lines run in split-level floor plans, and how to maintain proper venting in homes with low attic clearance. We coordinate with contractors, provide accurate rough-in measurements, and deliver finish work that meets both code and your aesthetic vision.
- Gas Line Installation & Leak Detection — Safe natural gas service for appliances and outdoor living spaces. We install and repair gas lines for water heaters, ranges, fireplaces, and outdoor grills. Using electronic leak detection and pressure testing, we ensure connections meet safety standards and local codes. In Long View and the Lake Hickory area where propane is common, we work with both natural gas and LP systems to keep your home’s energy infrastructure safe and efficient.
Serving Hickory, Conover, and Newton
From the design showrooms of the Hickory Furniture Mart to the shores of Lake Hickory and the academic energy around Lenoir-Rhyne University, 3rd Rock Plumbing, LLC is Catawba County’s trusted name for residential plumbing service. Operating from our West Hickory headquarters on 19th St SW, we provide master-level plumbing to the historic Furniture Capital neighborhoods and the growing residential hubs of Conover, Newton, and Long View.
Whether you’re maintaining a mid-century ranch in one of Hickory’s established neighborhoods like Viewmont or Ridgeview, managing a lakefront property with unique water treatment needs, or building new construction in Newton’s expanding subdivisions, we understand the infrastructure realities of this region. Our technicians know the difference between quick fixture repairs and comprehensive system upgrades that address the root causes of recurring problems.
We also extend service throughout the greater Catawba County area, including Maiden, Claremont, and communities along the Highway 70 and Highway 321 corridors. If you’re within the Catawba Valley footprint, we’re your local residential plumbing specialists.
Why Hickory Trusts 3rd Rock Plumbing
4.7 Stars Across 127 Reviews — Homeowners throughout Hickory, Conover, and Newton consistently praise our combination of technical precision and straightforward communication. We explain problems in plain language, provide multiple solution options when applicable, and never pressure customers into unnecessary upgrades. Our reputation in the Catawba Valley is built on trust—the kind that comes from doing the job right the first time.
Fair-Shake Pricing & Honest Estimates — Before we start work, you’ll know exactly what it costs. We provide detailed estimates that itemize labor, materials, and any additional work required to meet code. In a community like Hickory where word-of-mouth matters and neighbors talk, we’ve built our business on transparent pricing and fair dealing. You’ll never see inflated “emergency” fees or surprise charges for basic service calls.
Technical Mastery of Legacy & Modern Systems — In a town with Hickory’s rich industrial history, your plumbing contractor needs to understand both the galvanized pipes and cast iron drains of 1960s construction AND the PEX systems and tankless technology of modern builds. We bridge that gap. Whether we’re diagnosing low water pressure in a home with original plumbing or calibrating a new tankless system for optimal performance, our team has the experience to handle the full spectrum of residential plumbing challenges.
Locally Owned Hickory Mainstay — We’re not a franchise with rotating technicians. We’re a locally owned Catawba County business with deep roots in this community. We live here, our families go to school here, and we maintain the plumbing systems that keep Hickory running. When you call 3rd Rock Plumbing, you’re working with neighbors who take pride in delivering rock-solid service to the Catawba Valley.
Ready for Rock-Solid Plumbing Service?
Call 3rd Rock Plumbing, LLC at the number (828) 324-0500 or Request Service Online for same-day diagnostics, tankless water heater installation, backflow testing, drain cleaning, and expert fixture upgrades in Hickory, Conover, Newton, and throughout Catawba County.
Don’t let aging pipes, inefficient water heaters, or recurring drain problems compromise your home’s foundation. We provide the dependable, technically sound plumbing service that keeps Hickory homes running strong.










