We're the St. Clair Shores plumber for older Detroit-area houses: drains, sewer lines, water heaters and urgent leaks. Call (313) 474-7729 to talk to us. We're open 8 AM–10:30 PM, every day.
St. Clair Shores stretches along the Lake St. Clair shoreline in southern Macomb County. Canal-front streets and a high water table near the lake make sump pumps and basement drainage a bigger topic here than in many inland suburbs.
St. Clair Shores housing by the numbers
Most of St. Clair Shores went up in the boom years after World War II. Of 28,321 housing units, ACS 2020–2024 estimates place 63% before 1960; the biggest building periods were the 1950s (50%) and the 1960s (17%). Median year built: 1957.
| Year built | St. Clair Shores | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 6% | 36% |
| 1940s | 7% | 20% |
| 1950s | 50% | 21% |
| 1960s | 17% | 8% |
| 1970s | 11% | 5% |
| 1980–1999 | 6% | 5% |
| 2000 or later | 3% | 4% |
What St. Clair Shores plumbing is usually made of
Post-war St. Clair Shores houses tend to share a recipe: a cast-iron stack and basement floor drain, a clay lateral running to the street or alley, and supply lines in galvanized steel or early copper. Many basements also have an original laundry tub drain and floor drain tied into the same line, which is why a main-line clog often shows up there first.
Who calls a plumber in St. Clair Shores
About 83% of occupied homes in St. Clair Shores are owner-occupied, and 82% of housing units are single-family detached houses (ACS). Only 3% of units are in two- to four-unit buildings and 10% in larger buildings, so most plumbing calls here come from homeowners responsible for everything from the meter to the city sewer connection.
St. Clair Shores: common calls and local details
St. Clair Shores stretches along the Lake St. Clair shoreline and has a median year built of 1957, with 63% of homes from before 1960. About 83% are owner-occupied, one of the higher rates in Macomb County. Proximity to the lake and canals makes sump pumps, basement drainage and backwater valves a more frequent topic than in inland suburbs. Wind off the lake in January also makes exterior-wall plumbing more vulnerable during deep cold. The Community Development & Inspections department issues plumbing permits and asks for 24 hours' notice for inspections, with approved plans on site. If you're near the water, test your sump pump each spring by pouring water into the pit, and consider a battery backup if your area loses power in storms.
Water heaters in St. Clair Shores
Most St. Clair Shores homes run on gas (89% 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 St. Clair Shores; we handle the permit with the St. Clair Shores Community Development & Inspections. More on our water heater page.
Cold-weather plumbing in St. Clair Shores
The nearest long-term NOAA station, Detroit Metro Airport, averaged 111 nights at or below freezing per winter from 2015-2025, and 30 days that never got above 32°F. In 9 of those 10 winters the low hit 0°F or colder at least once. Lakefront streets in St. Clair Shores also see wind off Lake St. Clair, which pulls heat out of exterior walls faster; kitchen lines on north- and east-facing walls deserve extra attention. See our frozen pipes guide or, for a split pipe, the emergency plumber page.
St. Clair Shores water and sewer: who owns what
St. Clair Shores'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 13% of St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores is usually a private repair. A camera inspection shows exactly what's wrong; see sewer line repair.
Plumbing permits in St. Clair Shores
St. Clair Shores' Community Development & Inspections department issues plumbing permits. The city says inspections need 24 hours' notice and approved plans on site. Source: St. Clair Shores Community Development & Inspections. 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 St. Clair Shores
Drain cleaning
Main-line clogs at the basement floor drain are a classic St. Clair Shores call. Fixture, floor-drain and main-line cleaning.
Sewer line repair
Camera inspection, spot repair and lateral replacement, permitted through St. Clair Shores.
Water heater repair
Gas and electric tank repair and replacement for St. Clair Shores homes.
Emergency leak repair
Burst and frozen pipes, active leaks and backups. Call first.
Nearby service areas: Grosse Pointe Woods, Roseville, Eastpointe, 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 St. Clair Shores.
St. Clair Shores plumbing FAQ
How old are most homes in St. Clair Shores?
The American Community Survey (2020–2024) gives a median year built of 1957 for St. Clair Shores's 28,321 housing units, with 63% built before 1960 and 6% before 1940.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in St. Clair Shores?
Usually, for anything beyond clearing a stoppage or repairing faucet parts. Water heater replacement, re-piping and sewer work need a permit from the St. Clair Shores Community Development & Inspections.
Could my St. Clair Shores home have a lead water service line?
It's possible, especially in homes built before about 1950 (13% of St. Clair Shores'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 St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores?
Yes, we take calls from every neighborhood in St. Clair Shores. Call (313) 474-7729 or send the form with your ZIP code.