Plumbing Questions, Answered

Usually in the basement or crawl space where the water line comes through the foundation, near the meter. On a well, it is near the pressure tank. Find and test it before an emergency.

Shut off the main water valve, turn off the water heater, stay away from water near electrical outlets or the panel, open a low faucet to drain the lines and call (734) 228-7852.

The floor drain is the lowest drain, so a blocked main sewer line shows up there first. Stop using water and call for drain cleaning. If neighbors are backing up too, report it to your city.

Many tank water heaters last about 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality and maintenance. Water from the bottom of the tank means it is time to replace it.

The City of Ann Arbor’s 2025 water quality report lists an average of about 7.4 grains per gallon (126 ppm), which is moderately hard.

The property owner owns and maintains the water service line from the curb stop to the building, under the city’s ordinance ORD-18-32.

The homeowner. Pumps installed under Ann Arbor’s footing drain disconnection program are the owner’s to maintain and replace.

If you have a lawn irrigation system, boiler, in-ground pool, water-powered sump backup or certain commercial systems connected to city water, likely yes. The City of Ann Arbor’s backflow program explains the requirements.

Most plumbing beyond minor repairs needs a permit. In Ann Arbor, permits go through the STREAM portal; elsewhere in the county, the county building department or your local authority.

Homeowners may do plumbing in a single-family home they own and live in, with a permit (MCL 339.6107). Other work needs a licensed plumbing contractor.

Ask for their license number and look it up on LARA’s online licensing portal.

They rarely clear real blockages and can damage older pipes. A cable or hydro jetting is safer and more effective.

Disconnect hoses and drain outdoor faucets before winter, insulate pipes in cold spaces, keep the heat on, open sink cabinets on outside walls and let a faucet drip in a deep freeze.

Yes: restaurants, offices, rentals and multi-unit buildings.

Yes. Call (734) 228-7852 any time, including nights, weekends and holidays.

There is a $99 diagnostic fee, applied to the repair when you go ahead. Typical price ranges for common jobs are on our plumbing costs page.

Yes: 25 months same as cash, on approved credit.