Slow drain, sewer backup, dead water heater or a leak? We're a Ferndale plumber you can reach today. Call (313) 474-7729 to talk to us. We're open 8 AM–10:30 PM, every day.
Ferndale sits just north of Eight Mile along Woodward in south Oakland County. Ferndale's homes are older than most of Oakland County's, with more than 40% built before 1940, so cast-iron stacks, galvanized supply lines and clay laterals are everyday finds.
What Ferndale's housing age means for plumbing
Ferndale is one of the older places in the metro. According to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020–2024), 42% of its 10,927 housing units were built before 1940, and the median year built is 1945, the fourth-oldest housing stock of the 28 suburbs we cover. That's 2 years older than Detroit's median of 1947.
| Year built | Ferndale | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 42% | 36% |
| 1940s | 16% | 20% |
| 1950s | 18% | 21% |
| 1960s | 7% | 8% |
| 1970s | 6% | 5% |
| 1980–1999 | 5% | 5% |
| 2000 or later | 5% | 4% |
What Ferndale plumbing is usually made of
Pre-war Ferndale homes were typically plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipe, cast-iron soil stacks and vitrified clay pipe to the sewer. Many have been partly updated with copper or PEX, which leaves a patchwork of old and new. The weak points are the connections between eras, the corroded galvanized runs that remain, and the clay lateral outside.
Ferndale housing types and plumbing responsibility
About 67% of occupied homes in Ferndale are owner-occupied, and 77% of housing units are single-family detached houses (ACS). Only 9% of units are in two- to four-unit buildings and 11% in larger buildings, so most plumbing calls here come from homeowners responsible for everything from the meter to the city sewer connection.
What to watch for in a Ferndale home
Ferndale's housing is older than most of Oakland County's: about 42% of homes predate 1940 and the median year built is 1945. Many are compact bungalows and frame houses where the plumbing has been updated piece by piece. Typical Ferndale calls include low pressure from remaining galvanized lines, cast-iron drains cracking under the basement floor, and roots in clay laterals. About 67% of homes are owner-occupied. Check Ferndale's permit page before any work that alters piping or replaces a water heater. If you're remodeling a Ferndale kitchen or bath, ask about replacing galvanized supply lines while the walls are open; it's one of the most cost-effective upgrades in a house this age.
Ferndale water heater repair and replacement
Most Ferndale homes run on gas (88% heat with utility gas per ACS), and so do most of their water heaters. A tank that's leaking, a pilot that won't stay lit or a relief valve that drips are the usual reasons people call. Replacements are a permitted job in Ferndale; we handle the permit with the City of Ferndale permits. More on our water heater page.
Winter and frozen pipes in Ferndale
Expect about 30 days a winter that don't climb above freezing, based on NOAA's Detroit Metro Airport data for 2015-2025, plus a sub-zero night in most winters (9 of 10). Older Ferndale houses often have supply lines on uninsulated exterior walls or in crawlspaces under rear additions, the first places to freeze. See our frozen pipes guide or, for a split pipe, the emergency plumber page.
Ferndale water and sewer: who owns what
Ferndale's water department is your first call about the service line, meter and public mains. Under Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule, water supplies must replace all lead and GPCL service lines, averaging 5% a year, by January 1, 2041, and partial replacement is only allowed during emergency repairs. With 58% of Ferndale homes built before 1950, a lead or galvanized service is worth checking for.
On the sewer side, the pipe from your house to the public sewer is the property owner's responsibility in most Detroit-area cities, so a root-clogged or broken lateral in Ferndale is usually a private repair. A camera inspection shows exactly what's wrong; see sewer line repair.
Plumbing permits in Ferndale
Ferndale handles plumbing permits through its permit office; check the city's permit page before work that alters piping or fixtures. Source: City of Ferndale permits. Statewide, plumbing is governed by the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code (effective March 12, 2024), with one- and two-family homes following the plumbing provisions of the Michigan Residential Code. Clearing a stoppage or repairing only the working parts of a faucet generally doesn't need a permit; replacing pipe or a water heater does.
Plumbing services in Ferndale
Drain cleaning
Root and scale clogs are common in Ferndale's older lines. Fixture, floor-drain and main-line cleaning.
Sewer line repair
Camera inspection, spot repair and lateral replacement, permitted through Ferndale.
Water heater repair
Gas and electric tank repair and replacement for Ferndale homes.
Emergency leak repair
Burst and frozen pipes, active leaks and backups. Call first.
Nearby service areas: Royal Oak, Hazel Park, Oak Park, and Detroit. See all areas.
No published prices. Every job is priced on site after diagnosis, because access, pipe material, depth and parts all change the work. Call (313) 474-7729 to talk through a plumbing problem in Ferndale.
Ferndale plumbing FAQ
How old are most homes in Ferndale?
The American Community Survey (2020–2024) gives a median year built of 1945 for Ferndale's 10,927 housing units, with 76% built before 1960 and 42% before 1940.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in Ferndale?
Usually, for anything beyond clearing a stoppage or repairing faucet parts. Water heater replacement, re-piping and sewer work need a permit from the City of Ferndale permits.
Could my Ferndale home have a lead water service line?
It's possible, especially in homes built before about 1950 (58% of Ferndale's housing). Check where the line enters the basement, and contact the city's water department; Michigan requires water supplies to replace lead lines by 2041.
Who fixes the sewer line between my Ferndale house and the street?
Generally the property owner is responsible for the private lateral from the house to the public sewer, and the city maintains the public main.
Do you cover all of Ferndale?
Yes, we take calls from every neighborhood in Ferndale. Call (313) 474-7729 or send the form with your ZIP code.