AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Milwaukee, WI

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee homeowners deal with many universal plumbing issues like clogged drains and leaking faucets, but the cold winters bring additional risks to their pipes. Here are a few of the most common plumbing issues they face.

Frozen/Burst Pipes

Winters in Milwaukee are brutal and home plumbing systems can take a beating. Temperatures reach well below freezing, and the city sees 45 inches of snow each year, which is nearly twice the national average. If the water inside your pipes begins to freeze, it will cause pipes to expand and eventually burst, leaving you with an enormous and expensive mess to clean up. Septic tanks can also freeze if the surrounding dirt is frozen or covered in snow. We can help you winterize your plumbing system so it’s ready to handle whatever weather the winter brings.

Clogged Drains

Clogs happen to every homeowner in Milwaukee at some point, and oftentimes, homeowners try to fix the problem themselves. A clogged drain is usually caused by substances like hair, soap scum, or grease that gets stuck inside your pipes, causing water to back up. If your water is draining slowly or if your drain is completely stopped, it’s time to call us. We’ve got special cameras and other necessary tools that help us locate and flush out stubborn clogs quickly and effectively. 

Sometimes, a clog can be caused by tree roots that are growing into your pipes underground. If that’s the case, it’s a much bigger job that may require digging and replacing old pipes. Regardless of the culprit, rest assured that we’ll locate the problem and get your water flowing again.

Dripping Faucets

A dripping faucet is an annoying problem that many homeowners in Milwaukee ignore, assuming it’s only a nuisance. Faucets tend to start dripping as they age and inexpensive parts only need to be replaced. If you don’t call us, your faucet will continue to drip, racking up your water bill and wasting water at the same time. It’s always best to fix a dripping faucet at the first sign of a problem. It’s an easy fix that will save you in the long run. 

Leaking Pipes

Pipes can leak at any spot in your home plumbing, but some places leak more often than others. If you notice a puddle of water under your sink or water heater, call us to take care of the issue. A leak is a sign that something is wrong and the problem will only get worse with time. Sometimes a leak can happen if the pipes are old and corroded, clogged, or just tired. If you leave a leaky pipe alone, you run the risk of the pipe bursting and causing a much bigger issue. It’s better to get it taken care of at the first sign of a leak.

How Does the Water in Milwaukee Affect Your Plumbing?

Milwaukee Water Works, or MWW for short, is a national leader in providing its city with crystal-clear, high-quality drinking water. They go above and beyond to make sure that the water not only meets all federal and state mandates for safety, but far surpasses them. Additionally, the Milwaukee Inter-Agency Clean Water Advisory Council, or IACWAC, works to ensure that the water quality in the community is exceptional. Because of their high standards, you can drink straight from your tap or public water fountain–or “bubbler” as Milwaukee natives call them–knowing that you’re quenching your thirst with water that is healthy and safe.

Unfortunately, some homes have old pipes that may become corroded as they age. If this happens, contaminants like lead and copper can get into your water supply, putting you and your family at risk of serious diseases. These contaminants are especially dangerous for children and pregnant women, as well as those who are immunocompromised. The city has been proactively testing and replacing corroded pipes, and lead and copper levels have dropped dramatically since the program began in 1996.

If you own an older home or you’re worried about lead and copper in your pipes, ask us to test your water. We can tell you exactly what’s in your water supply and can create a plan to eliminate any contaminants we find. You may need to have new pipes installed or you may feel comfortable having a water filtration system installed in your home. We can create a plumbing system that ensures that your water is completely safe for consumption.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Milwaukee?

Plumbing in Milwaukee costs, on average, anywhere from $108 to $780. Clearly, that’s a pretty big price range, but we do a pretty big range of work, as well. If you need to hire us, give us a call about your specific need. We’ll consider several factors when determining the price for your specific job. Some of those factors are listed below.

How Long the Project Will Take

We typically charge an hourly rate, so your final cost will be based on the time needed to complete the job. We work efficiently to fix your pipes, but some jobs just take more time. Your leaky faucet will take much less time to fix than it would take to repipe your entire bathroom. Expect the time needed to complete the job to be the biggest factor in determining your final price.

What Equipment and Parts are Needed

If you need to have your water heater or toilet replaced, we’ll factor in the cost of the new fixture. The same goes for faucet parts, pipes, or any other equipment we need to get the job done. When home plumbing fails, it’s usually just due to old, worn-out parts that need to be replaced. Whatever we need to purchase to get your plumbing working again will be reflected in your final bill.

The Time of Day

Most of us offer emergency services 24 hours a day. This is great news if your pipes decide to burst at 3:00 am, but you can expect to pay a little more. If you call us to come to your home outside of business hours, their hourly rate will likely be higher. It’s only fair since you’re probably pulling us out of bed to come and save your basement from flooding with water.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Milwaukee?

There are several ways to stay ahead of your plumbing problems so you can save money in the long run. Here are a couple of ways you can be proactive about your home plumbing.

Fix Leaks, Drips, and Running Toilets ASAP

Leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and running toilets are problems that need to be dealt with as soon as they’re noticed. Not only are you washing hundreds of dollars down the drain, but you’re also wasting water, a natural resource. Milwaukee Water Works created the Use Water Wisely Program along with the environmental group Clean Wisconsin to help homeowners be more proactive about their water consumption. Customer service representatives send out leak-detection dye tabs for toilets when a homeowner’s bill seems abnormally high. If you notice any drips or leaks, call us right away to fix the problem. And if you receive dye tabs, check your toilet for leaks, as well. A service call from us will cost you much less than the price you’ll pay if you ignore water leaking from your pipe, faucet, or toilet.

Winterize Your Pipes

Before winter arrives, make sure your pipes are ready for the cold. Without protection, the water inside your pipes can freeze, causing them to leak or even burst. When this happens, the clean-up and repairs are expensive and the damage to your home can be devastating. Get ahead of this issue by having us winterize your pipes. We wrap them in insulating material that keeps them cozy when temperatures drop. 

You can also take additional measures by opening cabinets to exposed pipes and letting the water drip from your faucet when temperatures fall well below freezing.

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Milwaukee vs Hire a Plumber?

Sometimes, it’s difficult to know whether your plumbing problem is your responsibility to handle. Since all of the pipes are connected, it can be confusing if you don’t know where the boundaries lie. In simple terms, you are responsible for all of the plumbing on your property. The Milwaukee Water Department only deals with issues beyond your sewage main and your water meter. That means your leaky pipes, running toilet, and irrigation system issues are your responsibility to repair. 

If you notice problems beyond your main sewage line or water meter, you can call the 24-hour Control Center number at (414) 286-3710. The MWD will get someone to check it out quickly.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Milwaukee?

According to the city’s Department of Neighborhood Services, you need a permit for plumbing on a single-family, owner-occupied home. The permit checklist doesn’t specify what plumbing jobs need a permit, so it’s best to contact the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) ahead of time at dcddevtechteam@milwaukee.gov or call (414) 286-8208.

Generally, homeowners do not need to obtain permits for basic jobs like faucet and pipe repairs. Permits are typically required when additional pipes, valves, and fixtures are added to the existing plumbing.