Need a Taylor plumber? We handle drain cleaning, sewer line repair, water heaters and leaks in Taylor. Call (313) 474-7729 to talk to us. We're open 8 AM–10:30 PM, every day.
Taylor is one of the larger downriver cities, south of Dearborn Heights and west of Allen Park and Southgate. Most of Taylor was built from the 1950s on, so many homes have newer drain materials than inner-ring suburbs, but plenty still have original lines from the house to the street.
Taylor homes and what's behind the walls
Compared with Detroit, Taylor is a newer city. The American Community Survey (2020–2024) shows a median year built of 1963 across 26,537 housing units. Just 43% of homes predate 1960, while the 1950s contributed 31%.
| Year built | Taylor | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 5% | 36% |
| 1940s | 7% | 20% |
| 1950s | 31% | 21% |
| 1960s | 21% | 8% |
| 1970s | 18% | 5% |
| 1980–1999 | 9% | 5% |
| 2000 or later | 8% | 4% |
What Taylor plumbing is usually made of
With much of Taylor built in the 1950s and 1960s, copper water lines are the norm and many houses have plastic drain lines in at least part of the house. Sewer laterals vary. The plumbing tends to be in better shape than in pre-war suburbs, so routine water heater replacements and drain cleaning make up much of the work.
Who calls a plumber in Taylor
About 67% of occupied homes in Taylor are owner-occupied, and 73% of housing units are single-family detached houses (ACS). Only 4% of units are in two- to four-unit buildings and 14% in larger buildings, so most plumbing calls here come from homeowners responsible for everything from the meter to the city sewer connection.
Local plumbing notes for Taylor
Taylor is a large downriver city with a median build year of 1963 and only about 5% of homes from before 1940. Most of its houses are 1950s through 1970s ranches and bi-levels, and 67% are owner-occupied. The plumbing here is newer than in the inner-ring suburbs, but many Taylor homes are now 50 to 70 years old, which is when original laterals start to show roots and sags and when slab or basement drain lines may need attention. Taylor's inspection guidance spells out that plumbing must be inspected before it's covered: underground work where needed, then rough and final inspections. Practically, that means a permitted drain or sewer repair can't be backfilled or closed in until the inspector has seen it. Ask us to schedule inspections as part of the job so the work isn't held up.
Taylor water heater repair and replacement
Most Taylor homes run on gas (91% 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 Taylor; we handle the permit with the Taylor Building Department. More on our water heater page.
Winter and frozen pipes in Taylor
Over 10 winters (2015-2025), NOAA's Detroit Metro Airport station logged an average of 2.6 days a year with lows of 0°F or colder and 111 freezing nights. It's the multi-day cold snaps that freeze pipes. Newer Taylor homes are usually better insulated, but hose bibs left on and lines in garages or over unheated spaces still freeze. See our frozen pipes guide or, for a split pipe, the emergency plumber page.
Taylor water and sewer: who owns what
Taylor'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 12% of Taylor homes built before 1950, a lead or galvanized service is worth checking for.
If a backup happens during a heavy storm and neighbors are affected too, call Taylor's public works or water department; Michigan law gives you 45 days to give written notice if you think the public sewer caused damage. Otherwise, the lateral from the house is usually yours to maintain. See sewer backups.
Who issues plumbing permits in Taylor
Taylor's Building Department takes plumbing permit applications, and its inspection guidance says plumbing must be inspected before it's covered: underground work where needed, then rough and final inspections. Source: Taylor Building Department. 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 Taylor
Drain cleaning
Kitchen-line and fixture clogs are the usual drain calls in Taylor. Fixture, floor-drain and main-line cleaning.
Sewer line repair
Camera inspection, spot repair and lateral replacement, permitted through Taylor.
Water heater repair
Gas and electric tank repair and replacement for Taylor homes.
Emergency leak repair
Burst and frozen pipes, active leaks and backups. Call first.
Nearby service areas: Allen Park, Southgate, Inkster, 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 Taylor.
Taylor plumbing FAQ
How old are most homes in Taylor?
The American Community Survey (2020–2024) gives a median year built of 1963 for Taylor's 26,537 housing units, with 43% built before 1960 and 5% before 1940.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in Taylor?
Usually, for anything beyond clearing a stoppage or repairing faucet parts. Water heater replacement, re-piping and sewer work need a permit from the Taylor Building Department.
Could my Taylor home have a lead water service line?
It's possible, especially in homes built before about 1950 (12% of Taylor'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 Taylor 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 Taylor?
Yes, we take calls from every neighborhood in Taylor. Call (313) 474-7729 or send the form with your ZIP code.