5 services · Wisconsin
Leaks, pipes & freezing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's long, cold winters with deep frost freeze pipes in exterior walls and basements, and extreme cold can freeze water service lines in Milwaukee and Madison.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Leaks, pipes & freezing in Wisconsin: what to know
Milwaukee has many lead service lines and a citywide replacement program, while Madison Water Utility replaced all known lead lines between 2001 and 2011. Rural homes often use wells.
Wisconsin licenses plumbers through the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Older duplexes have separate plumbing for each unit.
Sealing rim joists and insulating exposed basement lines prevent most freezes in older homes.
- Climate
- Hard freezes are a regular part of winter in Wisconsin, so pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces and attics need protection every year, and outdoor faucets and sprinkler lines must be drained before the first freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Nearly all homes have basements, and older homes in Milwaukee have aging laterals. Most common: basements.
Leaks, pipes & freezing services
Burst pipe repair
Turn off the main water shutoff first, then open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines. A plumber cuts out the split section, replaces it, and checks the rest of that pipe run, because one freeze rarely damages only one spot.
Frozen pipe thawing
If a faucet gives no water or only a trickle after a hard freeze, a pipe is frozen. Leave that faucet open, warm the area gently, and call a plumber if you can't find the frozen section or if it's inside a wall, because a split pipe will leak as soon as it thaws.
Leak detection
Turn off every fixture and watch the water meter's leak indicator. If it moves, water is leaking somewhere. A plumber uses pressure tests, acoustic listening and thermal imaging to find the leak so only a small section of wall or floor has to be opened.
Repiping
Repiping replaces a home's water supply lines, usually because old galvanized steel has corroded or polybutylene is at risk of failing. Most repipes today use PEX, take two to five days, and are done through small wall openings rather than gutting the house.
Water line repair
The water service line runs from the curb stop near the street to your house, buried below the frost line. A leak shows up as a soggy patch in the yard, low pressure throughout the house, or a meter that never stops. Repair means finding the leak, then fixing that spot or replacing the line.
Leaks, pipes & freezing by city in Wisconsin
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Leaks, pipes & freezing questions in Wisconsin
Who licenses plumbers in Wisconsin?
Should I turn off the water if a pipe bursts?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the leaks, pipes & freezing guide.
More plumbing in Wisconsin
Need help with leaks, pipes & freezing in Wisconsin?
Tell us what's going on and your ZIP code. You'll be connected with a licensed plumber who serves your area.
Call now to check plumber availability