Plumbing for Livonia’s 1950s and 1960s Homes
WaterWork Plumbing is a licensed plumber in Livonia, MI, and most of what we fix here comes down to the age of the city’s homes. Livonia became a city in 1950, and more than half of its homes went up in the two decades that followed: brick ranches, colonials and bi-levels built for a fast-growing suburb. Those houses are now 55 to 75 years old, and so is much of the plumbing inside them. We have worked in Livonia since 2006, from the 1920s colonials and Tudors of Rosedale Gardens near Plymouth and Merriman to the postwar ranches that fill most of the city.
In homes from that era we see the same problems again and again. Galvanized steel water lines rust from the inside, which shows up as weak water pressure and orange or brown water. Clay and cast-iron sewer laterals crack and let tree roots in, and the first warning is often water coming up through the basement floor drain. Livonia’s water comes from the Great Lakes Water Authority, so when pressure drops or the water changes color in an older home, the cause is usually the pipes inside the house rather than the city supply.
We serve all of Livonia, including the 48150, 48152 and 48154 ZIP codes. Our founder, David Foltz, is a licensed master plumber (Michigan license #8003885), and we carry $1 million in insurance.
Emergency Plumber in Livonia
WaterWork Plumbing answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for burst pipes, failed sump pumps, leaking water heaters and sewer backups in Livonia. If sewage is coming up through a basement floor drain, the city’s Water & Sewer Division (734-466-2655) will first check whether the public main is blocked. If the main is clear, the problem is in your private sewer line, and that is the time to call us. Call 248-542-8022 any time, or request service online.
Drain Cleaning in Livonia
Grease, hair and tree roots are what we pull out of Livonia drains most often, and roots are a bigger problem here because so many sewer laterals are still original clay or cast iron. We clear sink, tub, floor and main sewer drains, and we can run a camera afterward to show you what caused the clog. Learn more about Drain Cleaning in Livonia.
Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Livonia
Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, and plenty of Livonia basements still have one that is well past that. We repair leaking valves, bad thermostats and pilot problems, and when a tank is finished we replace it with a right-sized tank or a tankless unit. Replacing a water heater in Livonia requires a plumbing permit, which we pull for you. See Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Livonia.
Sump Pump Repair and Replacement in Livonia
Major storms have flooded hundreds of Livonia basements, and a sump pump that quits when the power goes out is one of the most common reasons. We repair and replace sump pumps and add battery backups so the pit keeps draining during an outage. Read about Sump Pump Repair and Replacement in Livonia.
Sewer Line Replacement in Livonia
The sewer lateral and water service line that run from your house to the city main belong to the homeowner, so when one collapses or has to be replaced, the repair is yours to arrange. We locate the problem with a camera first, pull the Livonia permit and dig only where we need to. Learn more about Sewer Line Replacement in Livonia.
Sewer Camera Inspection in Livonia
A camera inspection shows what is going on inside a sewer line, from root intrusion to a sagging or broken section of pipe. It is worth doing before you buy an older Livonia home and before you agree to any excavation. See Sewer Camera Inspection in Livonia.
Backflow Testing in Livonia
Livonia runs a cross-connection control program under Michigan’s drinking water rules, which means testable backflow assemblies, like the ones on lawn sprinkler systems and commercial water lines, need to be checked by a certified tester. We test, repair and replace backflow preventers for Livonia homes and businesses. Learn more about Backflow Testing in Livonia.
Toilet Repair in Livonia
A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day, and a slow leak at the wax ring can rot the subfloor before anyone notices. We fix running, leaking and clogged toilets, and we install new water-saving models when replacement makes more sense. See Toilet Repair in Livonia.
Livonia Plumbing FAQ
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Livonia?
Yes. Replacing a water heater in Livonia requires a plumbing permit from the City of Livonia Inspection Department, even when you are swapping one tank for another of the same size. The new unit also has to meet current code, including the relief valve and discharge pipe. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection as part of the job.
Sewage is coming up through my basement floor drain. Who do I call?
Call the City of Livonia Water & Sewer Division at 734-466-2655 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.); after hours, the city directs residents to the Livonia Police Department at 734-466-2470 if they think the city sewer is blocked. The city will check the public main. If the main is clear, the blockage is in your private sewer line, and you will need a licensed plumber. If you plan to file a damage claim with the city, Michigan law gives you 45 days from when you discover the backup.
How do I find out if my Livonia home has a lead or galvanized water service line?
The city is building an inventory of every water service line under state rules, and through its Check Your Pipes Livonia program you can request a free in-home assessment from the Department of Public Works. Galvanized lines are common in Livonia homes built in the 1950s and 1960s. If your line needs to be replaced, the private side is excavation work, and we handle that from permit to restoration.
Why is my water pressure low in an older Livonia house?
In most 1950s and 1960s homes, the cause is galvanized steel pipe that has corroded inside and narrowed over time. Livonia’s water supply comes from the Great Lakes Water Authority, so if your neighbors have normal pressure and you don’t, the problem is almost always in your own plumbing. Repiping the worst sections usually brings the pressure back.
Call WaterWork Plumbing in Livonia
Whether it is a sewer backup in the middle of the night or a water heater near the end of its life, call 248-542-8022 or book online. We tell you what is wrong and what it will cost before any work starts.
