4.4 on Google· Family Plumbers in Houston Since 1955 3429 McGowen St., Houston · Mon to Sat, 8 to 5 713-659-7669

Est. 1955 · Third Ward, Houston

Family Plumbers in Houston Since 1955

Robert L. Pace was one of the first Black Master Plumbers in Houston. 71 years later his family still runs the shop on McGowen Street, still answers the phone, and still keeps a supply counter open to the public.

4.4 on Google across 74+ reviews

Serving Houston Since 1955 Third-Generation Family Owned Licensed & Insured Supply Counter & Tool Rental Open Mon to Sat, 8 to 5

Since 1955

Three Generations of Houston Plumbers

Robert L. Pace was one of the first Black Master Plumbers in Houston. He started this company in 1955 out of a house at Canfield and Anita, in the Third Ward, and his family has run it ever since.

Seventy years later the shop is on McGowen Street and the name on the sign is still the name on the license. Mr. Pace's four daughters, Dorothy, Hatti, Emily and Darleane, run the business today. His grandson Jonathan is the lead plumber. A son-in-law runs the office. When you call Pace, you are calling the family.

Pace went about seventy years without a website, because it never needed one. Most of the work still comes from people who have used us before, and from their neighbors and their children. That is a slow way to build a business and a very hard one to fake.

Read the full story
  1. 1955Robert L. Pace, one of the first Black Master Plumbers in Houston, founds the company at Canfield and Anita in the Third Ward.
  2. TodayThe shop sits at 3429 McGowen St. with a plumbing supply counter and tool rental inside, open Monday through Saturday.
  3. NowMr. Pace's four daughters run the business, his grandson Jonathan is lead plumber, and the third generation keeps the trucks moving.

Inside the shop

A Real Plumbing Supply Counter

Pace is a plumbing supply store as well as a plumbing company. Parts on the shelf, tool rental inside, and somebody behind the counter who has done the job you are about to attempt.

Parts over the counter

Fittings, valves, water heater parts and repair pieces, stocked in the building. Come get the part instead of waiting on an appointment.

Tool rental inside

The equipment a one-time job needs and nobody should have to buy. Ask at the counter for what is available and what it runs.

Advice from people who do this

The counter is staffed by a plumbing family, not a big box aisle. Bring the broken piece and a photo of where it came from.

About the supply store

Why Pace

Why Houston Keeps Calling Us Back

Most of our work still comes from people who have used us before. Here is what keeps them coming back.

Seventy years on these streets

Pace has worked Third Ward, Midtown, Montrose and the Museum District since 1955. We know what is behind these walls because we have opened them before.

The family answers the phone

The office is run by the family that owns the company. You are not routed through a call center to a rotating list of contractors.

We look before we quote

Camera inspection on sewer work, leak location before anything is opened up. You see the problem, then you get the recommendation.

A supply counter behind us

Because we stock parts on McGowen Street, the piece your repair needs is frequently already in the building instead of on order.

Licensed and insured

Gas lines, taps and backflow assemblies are permitted, licensed work. Pace does it as licensed work.

Homes and businesses

Residential service and commercial plumbing, from a Third Ward bungalow to a restaurant kitchen in EaDo.

Reviews

What Houston Says

4.4 on Google across 74+ reviews

★★★★★
I'm super pleased with the quality of service Pace Plumbing provided! They showed up within 90 min of me calling and fixed my issue.
Bernadette B.3 months ago
★★★★★
Jonathan with Pace was incredible! From the first phone consultation, and getting here the same day to replace our old garbage disposal was top notch!
Nathan K.3 months ago
★★★★★
Great customer service. I emailed them about my issue and they responded back promptly to schedule me the next afternoon.
Hope10 months ago

Read all 74+ Google reviews

Service area

Where We Work

Pace runs about 15 miles around the University of Houston, which is most of the inner loop and everything around the shop.

See the full service area

Common questions

Straight Answers

How long has Pace Plumbing been in business?
Since 1955. Robert L. Pace, one of the first Black Master Plumbers in Houston, founded the company in the Third Ward, and his family has run it for three generations.
What areas of Houston do you serve?
Roughly a 15 mile radius around the University of Houston, which covers Third Ward, Midtown, Montrose, the Museum District, EaDo, Riverside Terrace, Downtown and the Texas Medical Center area.
Do you work on commercial buildings?
Yes. Pace handles residential and commercial plumbing, including restaurants, retail and office property.
Can I buy plumbing parts from you?
Yes. Pace runs a plumbing supply counter at 3429 McGowen St. with parts on the shelf and tool rental inside, open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Is there a charge for a service call?
There is a diagnostic charge for the visit, and it is credited toward the repair if you have us do the work. You get the price before any work begins.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, check, major credit and debit cards, Zelle and CashApp.
Do you offer same-day service?
Often, depending on the day and the schedule. Call 713-659-7669 and the office will tell you honestly what is available.

Pace is the place.

Got a leak, a clog, or no hot water?

Call the shop on McGowen Street. Mon to Sat, 8 to 5, and the family answers.

Call the shop Request service