Alabaster is one of Shelby County's fastest-growing cities, with new subdivisions rising along U.S. 31 and Highway 119 at a pace that has nearly doubled the city's population since 2000. That growth means most of Alabaster's housing stock is relatively new — built between 2000 and the present — but 'newer' doesn't mean problem-free. Builder-grade water heaters installed during the 2005–2015 construction boom are now hitting the end of their 10–15 year lifespan and failing in large numbers. PEX supply lines, standard in Alabaster's newer homes, are generally reliable but can be damaged by improper installation or freeze events during the rare hard Alabama winter. Alabaster is served by the Shelby County Water Authority, and the city's rapid growth has occasionally outpaced infrastructure, leading to pressure fluctuations in newer subdivisions. We work regularly in Alabaster's major subdivisions and know the Shelby County permit and inspection process well.