Older parts of the city are served by combined sewers, and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s deep tunnel system captures overflow, but heavy storms can still back water into basements. Long, cold winters make frozen pipes and frozen service lines a seasonal concern.
Housing & construction
Bungalows, duplexes and Polish flats with basements in most neighborhoods, larger historic homes on the East Side, and newer suburban homes outside the city.
Plumbing services in Milwaukee
Water Line Repair in Milwaukee
Program cost-sharing
Milwaukee water line repair →
Sump Pump Repair in Milwaukee
Snowmelt surges
Milwaukee sump pump repair →
Sewer Line Repair in Milwaukee
Roots in clay laterals
Milwaukee sewer line repair →Also common in Milwaukee: pipe repair.
Common plumbing problems in Milwaukee
What makes Milwaukee plumbing different
Lead service line replacement
Milwaukee Water Works is replacing lead service lines; check your address before planning private work.
Duplexes and Polish flats
Two-unit homes share stacks and mains, so one problem can affect both units.
Combined sewers
Older neighborhoods drain to combined sewers that can back up during storms.
Long winters
Rim joist and exterior-wall pipes freeze during extended cold.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for Milwaukee
- WinterInsulate rim joist pipes and keep basements heated.
- Spring and summer stormsTest sump pumps and consider a backwater valve.
Plumbing emergency in Milwaukee?
- Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
- Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Milwaukee plumbing questions
Is Milwaukee replacing lead service lines?
Yes. Milwaukee Water Works runs a lead service line replacement program; check your address for its status.
Why does my Milwaukee basement flood in heavy rain?
Older neighborhoods use combined sewers that can surcharge, pushing water back through floor drains.
What is a Polish flat?
A Milwaukee house type where a raised basement unit sits below a cottage; both units often share plumbing.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around Milwaukee, including Wauwatosa, West Allis, Shorewood, Greenfield, Cudahy, Brookfield.
