KNOXVILLE, TN September 25, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Tennessee Standard Plumbing, recognized as Tennessee Standard Plumbing – Top Workplace for 2024, has reached a significant growth milestone with its team expanding to 50 employees this September, marking substantial progress for the company that started with just two people and one truck in 2020.
The Knoxville-based plumbing service provider has grown from 38 employees last September to 50 team members, including 30 licensed plumbers, and earned first place among small companies in the Knoxville News Sentinel’s annual Top Workplaces award last year. This expansion represents the company’s commitment to meeting increasing demand for professional plumbing services while maintaining the exceptional workplace culture that earned it recognition.
“Reaching 50 employees is more than just a number for us,” said Kelton Balka, the founder of Tennessee Standard Plumbing. “It represents our ability to provide career opportunities in the skilled trades while maintaining the culture and values that made us a top workplace. Every new team member strengthens our capacity to serve the Knoxville community with excellence.”
The company’s rapid growth trajectory began when founder Kelton Balka established the business in 2020. Since then, Tennessee Standard Plumbing has expanded to include 22 plumbing trucks, an office building, and satellite locations serving Knoxville, Maryville, and Oak Ridge. The company maintains a 5.0 rating with over 2,000 Google reviews while specializing in complex plumbing challenges that other service providers often decline.
Tennessee Standard Plumbing’s workplace culture sets it apart in the trades industry. The company offers a comprehensive two-year apprentice program with starting wages at $15 per hour, leading to full plumbing licensure. Employee benefits include three weeks of paid vacation, weekly chiropractor services, and a commitment to helping team members get home to their families with weekend on-call responsibilities only 2-3 times per year.
The expansion comes as demand for skilled plumbing services continues to grow throughout East Tennessee. The company provides comprehensive residential and commercial services, including drain cleaning, leak detection and repair, water heater installation, sewer line maintenance, and backflow prevention. Commercial clients particularly value the company’s expertise in maintaining health code compliance and preventing costly system replacements.
For those seeking reliable tnstandard.com plumbers in Knoxville, TN, the company’s growth ensures increased availability and faster response times for both emergency and scheduled services. The expanded team allows Tennessee Standard Plumbing to maintain its commitment to providing multiple pricing options and flexible payment plans while solving problems that require advanced expertise.
Tennessee Standard Plumbing continues to focus on professional development and career advancement opportunities within the plumbing trade. The company’s apprenticeship program and ongoing training initiatives create clear pathways for individuals seeking stable, well-compensated careers in essential services. As the company grows, it maintains its founding principle of ensuring consistent quality across all service calls while fostering an environment where employees can build long-term careers in the skilled trades.
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For more information about Tennessee Standard Plumbing, contact the company here:
Tennessee Standard Plumbing
Kelton Balka
865-352-9003
relief@tnstandard.com
6634 Central Ave Pike #108, Knoxville, TN 37912
