Milwaukee County · Milwaukee–Waukesha metro
Plumbing help in Milwaukee, WI
Older PipesFrozen Pipes
Milwaukee's housing is among the oldest in the country: more than four in five homes predate 1980. Old pipe, lead service lines in older neighborhoods and deep winter frost make up most of the city's plumbing picture.
- Median home built
- 1954
- Built before 1980
- 83%
- Owner-occupied
- 43%
- Water hardness
- Hard
- ≈ 7.9 grains/gal
- Winter
- Long, hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- State code
What Milwaukee homeowners call plumbers about
- Water Line Repair
Older homes may have lead or aging service lines between the main and the house.
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Deep frost and long cold spells freeze pipes in exterior walls, porches and unheated basements.
- Sewer Backup
Heavy storms and old laterals send water back through basement floor drains.
What's behind the walls of Milwaukee's older homes
The median home in Milwaukee was built in 1954, and 83% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or galvanized supply, cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Protecting pipes through a Milwaukee winter
Long, hard freezes · 83% of Milwaukee homes were built before 1980
Emergency plumbing in Milwaukee
Call (833) 878-1592Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Milwaukee homes, based on local conditions.
Hard water in Milwaukee: what it does to heaters and fixtures
Milwaukee Water Works treats Lake Michigan water; hardness averages about 7.9 grains per gallon. [1]Awaiting verification
Permits and code in Milwaukee
Plumbing work in Milwaukee follows Wisconsin's statewide plumbing code (SPS 381–387) and must be done by plumbers licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. [2]
Plumbing services for Milwaukee homes
Milwaukee plumbing questions
Who can do plumbing work in Milwaukee?
Plumbers licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, working under the state plumbing code. Ask for the license and confirm it with DSPS.
Could my Milwaukee home have a lead service line?
Older homes may. Check where the water line enters the basement: lead is dull gray, soft, and scratches to shiny silver. Milwaukee Water Works runs a lead service line replacement program, so ask the utility what it has on record for your address.
How do I prevent frozen pipes in a Milwaukee winter?
Insulate pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces, seal air leaks, disconnect hoses, and keep the heat on when away. See frozen pipe repair.