Plumbers Who Know Detroit’s Older Homes
More than 40 percent of Detroit’s houses were built between 1910 and 1930, and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department puts most of the city’s housing at 60 to 90 years old. WaterWork Plumbing has been working on that housing since 2006. That runs from the big homes of Indian Village, Palmer Woods and Boston-Edison to the brick bungalows and two-flats across the rest of Detroit, with projects in Corktown, Brush Park, Midtown, New Center and Downtown along the way.
Age shows up underground first. Most Detroit homes drain through a private sewer line that runs out to a city sewer in the alley or street, and DWSD’s own data says about one in three of those connections is clogged, offset or disconnected. Inside the house, we find cast-iron drain stacks, galvanized supply pipe and, in homes built before 1945, a good chance of a lead water service line.
Detroit also has a combined sewer, so heavy rain fills the same pipes that carry household sewage. That is why the June 2021 storm backed water into more than 32,000 Detroit basements. Our founder, David Foltz, holds Michigan master plumber license #8003885, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Drain Cleaning in Detroit
In a 90-year-old house, a slow drain is often a sign of trouble farther down the line, like scale narrowing old cast iron or roots working into the sewer lateral. We clear kitchen, bath, floor and main drains and tell you whether the pipe itself needs attention. See Drain Cleaning in Detroit.
Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Detroit
Detroit basements are full of water heaters that have been limping along for years, many of them on old venting that no longer meets code. We repair gas and electric units, replace tanks that are leaking or rusting through, and pull the city plumbing permit that every replacement in Detroit requires. Learn more about Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Detroit.
Hydro Jetting in Detroit
When roots, grease or decades of scale keep closing up a sewer line, snaking it only buys time. Hydro jetting scours the full width of the pipe with high-pressure water, and it is often the right step after a camera shows heavy buildup. Read about Hydro Jetting in Detroit.
Toilet Repair in Detroit
Leaks around the base of a toilet in an older Detroit bathroom often trace back to a corroded or cracked flange underneath. We fix running and leaking toilets, clear stubborn clogs and replace worn-out fixtures with efficient new ones. See Toilet Repair in Detroit.
Sewer Camera Inspection in Detroit
Before you buy a Detroit house, or before you pay for a sewer dig, put a camera down the line. It shows roots, cracks, sags and whether the connection to the city sewer has separated, so you know exactly what you are paying to fix. Learn more about Sewer Camera Inspection in Detroit.
Backflow Testing in Detroit
DWSD runs a cross-connection program that state law and city ordinance both require, and properties with backflow prevention assemblies need to keep them working and tested. We test, repair and install backflow preventers for Detroit homes, rental properties and businesses. See Backflow Testing in Detroit.
Sump Pump Repair and Replacement in Detroit
A sump pump paired with a backwater valve is the same setup DWSD installs in its most flood-prone neighborhoods to keep storm water and sewage out of basements. We install and replace sump pumps, add battery backups and set up overflow protection for Detroit homes. Learn more about Sump Pump Repair and Replacement.
Sewer Line Replacement in Detroit
Detroit homeowners are responsible for their sewer line all the way to the city sewer, including the connection, and DWSD says that repair alone can top $10,000 because the tap can sit 20 to 40 feet down. We camera the line first, pull the permit and replace only the section that has failed. See Main Sewer Line Repair and Replacement.
Detroit Plumbing FAQ
I got a letter from DWSD about my water service line. What does it mean?
In June 2025, DWSD sent notices to every property with a known or possible lead or galvanized water service line, as federal rules require. The department estimates Detroit has more than 80,000 lead service lines, mostly at single-family homes built before 1945, and it had replaced about 15,800 of them as of March 2026. DWSD replaces lead lines block by block, with the owner’s permission, and state law requires all of them to be gone by 2040. If you want the private side of your line replaced sooner, that is work a licensed plumber can do.
Will the city fix the sewer connection in my alley?
Possibly. In 2026, DWSD announced the $184 million Alley Sewer Repair Program, which will repair about 9,000 broken private sewer connections at no cost to homeowners between late 2026 and 2030. DWSD chooses the blocks using its own camera data, and residents on a scheduled block get a door hanger; there is no application. If your block is not on the list, the sewer line and its connection remain the homeowner’s responsibility.
Who do I call when sewage backs up into my basement?
Report it to DWSD at 313-267-8000 (option 4) or through the Improve Detroit app, so the city can check its sewer. If the city sewer is flowing, the backup is coming from your private line, and you need a licensed plumber to clear it and find out why.
Can I get a free backwater valve or sump pump from the city?
Only in certain neighborhoods. DWSD’s Basement Backup Protection Program covers occupied houses and duplexes in 11 neighborhoods with a long history of backups, starting with Victoria Park and Aviation Sub, where 382 backwater valves were installed. Outside those areas, a licensed plumber can install a backwater valve and sump pump with a city permit.
Need a Plumber in Detroit?
Call 248-542-8022 any time, or book online. We will tell you what is wrong and what it costs before we start.
