Plumbing Services in Burlington, VT

Most requested plumbing services in Burlington

Start with the service that matches your problem. Services marked “Common in Burlington” are the calls local housing and conditions produce most in Burlington.

• Frozen Pipe RepairCommon in BurlingtonThawing frozen lines safely and fixing freeze damage.
• Water Line RepairCommon in BurlingtonLeaks and breaks in the main line from the meter.
• Water Heater ReplacementCommon in BurlingtonReplacing a failing or leaking tank heater.
• Emergency PlumberBurst pipes, major leaks, sewage backups and no-water situations.
• Drain CleaningSlow drains, recurring clogs and backed-up sinks, tubs and showers.
• Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps.
• Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature.
• Sewer Line RepairRecurring backups, sewer odors, slow fixtures or a damaged sewer line.
• Burst Pipe RepairStopping and repairing burst or split pipes.
• Pipe RepairLeaks, corrosion, cracked lines and low pressure from damaged pipes.
• Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking or weak-flushing toilets.
• Faucet Repair and ReplacementDripping, leaking or low-flow faucets.

When to call, and what to do first

For the problems Burlington homeowners call about most, and why they come up here:

• Frozen Pipe Repair

  Why it comes up in Burlington: Below-zero cold snaps freeze pipes in exterior walls and unheated porches of Burlington's older houses.

  Signs:

  No water at a faucet in freezing weather; frost on a pipe

  Urgent when:

  A pipe has split or water is spraying

  Before help arrives:

  Open the faucet, warm the pipe gently; never use an open flame

  Repair or replace:

  Thawed and intact: no repair. Cracked: replace that section

• Water Line Repair

  Why it comes up in Burlington: The line from the curb stop to the house is the owner's, so leaks in the yard are a plumber's job, not the city's.

  Signs:

  Soggy yard, low pressure, meter moving with taps off

  Urgent when:

  Water surfacing or a sudden loss of pressure

  Before help arrives:

  Close the shutoff at the meter or where the line enters

  Repair or replace:

  One break: repair. Old galvanized or lead line: replace

• Water Heater Replacement

  Why it comes up in Burlington: Multi-unit rentals share heavy hot water demand, and older tanks wear out in basements.

  Signs:

  Water around the tank base, rusty hot water, a tank past 10 years

  Urgent when:

  The tank itself is leaking

  Before help arrives:

  Turn off gas or power and close the cold-water valve

  Repair or replace:

  Leaking tank: replace. Failed part on a younger tank: repair

Why Burlington homes need these repairs

Burlington draws its drinking water from Lake Champlain and is mostly a city of renters, with older multi-unit houses near downtown and the university. Long, cold winters make frozen pipes and heating-season plumbing problems the most common calls, and the service line from the curb to the house is the owner's to repair.

Local conditions behind Burlington plumbing problems

Water hardness

See below

Winter

Long, hard freezes

Plumbing code

Local