Plumber in Kathleen

Kathleen at a glance

Kathleen is a census-designated place northwest of Lakeland with 6,486 people at the 2020 census, nearly double the 3,280 counted in 2000. It covers about 3.3 square miles of land.

What that means for your plumbing

Fast growth means many homes from the last twenty years next to older rural houses. On newer homes the common issues are water heater replacements and fixture problems; on older ones, wells, septic systems and aging supply lines. See water heaters if your tank is approaching the ten-year mark.

Wells and septic

Homes on private wells depend on a pump, pressure tank and switch. Short bursts of pressure or the pump clicking on and off often mean a pressure tank problem. Septic tanks need regular pumping, and the drain field should stay clear of trees and vehicles.

A post office since 1886

A post office called Kathleen has been open since 1886, and the community was named for Catherine Prine, an early settler. For most of its history it was a quiet rural crossroads, and many lots are still larger than in town. Larger lots mean longer runs of pipe from the well or the road to the house, and leaks on a long buried line can go unnoticed for months; checking the meter or pressure tank with everything off is the quickest test. If you find a leak, see leak detection and repair.