Dane County · Madison, WI
Plumbers in Madison, WI
Madison is in Dane County, Wisconsin. About 309,000 people live in the 15 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 148,000 homes, 41% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built in 2000 or later (26%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 15 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Madison
53701, 53703, 53704, 53705, 53706, 53711, 53713, 53714, 53715, 53716, 53717, 53718, 53719, 53726, 53744
Madison homes and their plumbing
Here is how Madison's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 13%, 1940–1959 14%, 1960–1979 25%, 1980–1999 22%, 2000 or later 26%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 13% |
| 1940–1959 | 14% |
| 1960–1979 | 25% |
| 1980–1999 | 22% |
| 2000 or later | 26% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 308,771
- Housing units
- 147,589
- Single-family detached
- 41%
- Owner-occupied
- 47%
- Heated with utility gas
- 68%
- Heated with electricity
- 28%
What goes wrong in Madison homes
Natural gas in most homes
68% of occupied homes here heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters, ranges and dryers are common. That means gas line extensions for new appliances, flexible connector replacements and venting checks when a water heater is swapped. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility from outside. See gas line repair.
Long, hard winters
52% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Wisconsin winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
27% of homes in Madison's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 13% of them before 1940. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 41% of homes here are single-family detached houses. In attached buildings a leak or clog often involves a shared stack or a neighbor's unit, so it's worth knowing which lines are yours and which belong to the building or HOA, and where your unit's own shutoff is.
Common calls in Madison
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Whole-House Repiping
- Drain Cleaning
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Madison: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Madison at a glance
- County
- Dane County
- ZIP codes
- 53701, 53703, 53704, 53705, 53706, 53711, 53713, 53714, 53715, 53716, 53717, 53718, 53719, 53726, 53744
Madison plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Madison?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Madison, Census estimates put 27% of homes as built before 1960, 25% from 1960 to 1979, 22% from 1980 to 1999 and 26% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 2000 or later (26%).
Who licenses plumbers in Madison, WI?
Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) licenses plumbers.
Are water heaters in Madison usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 68% of homes heating with utility gas, 28% with electricity. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
I rent in Madison. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 53% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Wisconsin landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Madison homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Middleton (6 mi), McFarland (7 mi), Waunakee (7 mi), Cottage Grove (9 mi), Verona (10 mi), Deforest (11 mi), Oregon (11 mi), Sun Prairie (11 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Madison, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Madison?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.