Let’s be real. When things are going well, no one calls the plumber.
You’re looking here now because something is amiss or about to be amiss with it. Perhaps it is a slow-running drain. Perhaps it’s a water heater that has been making that noise. Or perhaps you awaken to water at the bottom of the basement, and you need someone at the helm in Holland, MI, within the hour.
The thing is, you can find a good plumber in Holland, you can find the right one before you need plumbing services, and you’re standing in two inches of water, stressed, and clicking “call” on the first plumber to appear in Google Maps.
From the most frequent issues in this part of the world (and why Holland is especially challenging for the plumbing industry), to the amount of a few plumbing services, to the distinction between a legitimate licensed contractor and someone driving a van with a wrench, to which services are most important in which seasons, this guide covers it all for all West Michigan homeowners.
At the end of this, you will be able to know what to look for, what not to look for, and how to make that decision without feeling bad about it when it counts.
Why Holland, MI, Has Its Own Unique Plumbing Challenges
It is normal for most plumbing guides to be written for any generic city. Holland isn’t generic.
Holland, on Lake Macatawa, and a couple of miles from Lake Michigan, is exposed to weather conditions that are, quite simply, harsh on residential plumbing systems. You would have already known if you had stayed here for more than one winter. But here are the reasons that plumbing in this area of Ottawa County suffers more abuse than in most areas of the county:
The relentless Michigan freeze-thaw cycles are to blame.
In West Michigan, winter involves consistently reaching into the single digits, then, almost cruelly, the temperatures rise, sometimes within a span of 48 hours. The number one cause of plumbing issues in Holland homes is the constant freeze-thaw.
Water expands when it freezes within a pipe. It does not actually crack the pipe during freezing, but cracking occurs during the thawing when that pressure is released. It is no wonder that so many Holland homeowners are left with a surprise of a pipe break days after the coldest night, when the temp finally rises.
The most susceptible areas are exterior walls, crawl spaces, attached garages, and under sinks on exterior walls. Older residences near the downtown Holland and Lake Macatawa waterfronts are most at risk of this, and many have original 20th-century plumbing.
2. Your pipes are being slowly demolished by hard water
Like the majority of West Michigan, Holland’s municipal water supply is hard water. The calcium and magnesium in the water leaving your tap are the same as you would find in a glass of milk, but over time, they build up in your pipes, water heater, and fixtures.
The result? Lower water pressure, shorter appliance lifespan, and the accumulation of scale, which ultimately means a $400 repair bill for your water heater, are now reasons for replacement. In Holland, a water softener isn’t a luxury; it’s preventative maintenance. A good plumber will be able to explain to you the hardness of the water in your region and whether your existing setup is coping.
3. Water Treeing is Not an Optional Feature Here
Many homes in Holland have a lot of groundwater pressure, particularly in the spring thaw and during rainy weather, especially due to the proximity of Lake Michigan and the water table in Ottawa County. Here, not having a sump pump is not an inconvenience; it’s a flooded basement in hours.
Any sump pump that is over 7–10 years old and hasn’t been maintained is not a “deal with it later” situation. This is a current risk.
What Plumbing Services Do Holland, MI Homeowners Actually Need?
Let’s take a look at the most popular services and what exactly they entail.
Emergency Plumbing (Available 24/7)
This includes burst pipes, large leaks, gas line issues, backup of all drains, and sewer issues. The keyword with emergency plumbing is response time. Calling at 2 am when the water is pouring through the ceiling doesn’t want to have to wait on hold or be told the next available appointment is Tuesday.
Real 24/7 service would involve someone being there to answer, provide a time frame, and appear on time. A company that touts 24/7 service but has a voicemail for their after-hours line is not providing emergency service; they are making an advertorial statement.
Drain & Sewer Cleaning
The most frequently reported plumbing issue that homeowners put off (until they can’t) is slow drains. The usual troublemakers in Holland homes:
Soap and hair are the issues in bathroom drains.
Grease build-up in kitchen lines
Tree root intrusion in older sewer lines, particularly in older neighborhoods that have been developed near downtown Holland.
Over time, mineral scale develops in pipes due to hard water, reducing the pipe diameter.
A bottle of Drano is not a professional clean-up. Rather than punching a hole in the clog, hydro jetting utilizes high-pressure water to clear and clean the inside walls of pipes. With video camera inspection, the plumber can view exactly what is going on inside your sewer line instead of the plumber guessing and you guessing.
Water Heater Repair & Replacement
Until your water heater breaks down, most Holland homeowners won’t consider it. The life of the average tank water heater is 8-12 years. With maintenance, the average tankless unit can last for 15-20 years. In both, sedimentation can be a problem, hence the importance of flushing your water heater annually, especially in a hard water area.
Here are some things to look out for:
The water temperature is no longer as high as it was.
- Rumbling or popping noises (sediment burning) are heard
- The unit is more than 10 years old
- Rusty water when the hot tap is turned on.
- Water around the base of the unit
A good plumber will always provide you a choice of either repair or replace and will discuss the cost-benefit of your options straightforwardly, depending on your unit and usage.
Installing and maintaining sump pumps. Installing and servicing sump pumps.
As stated above, it is mission-critical in Holland. Key things to know:
Batteries are money well spent, outages and severe storms don’t always go hand-in-hand
Any plumbing service call should include testing the float switch, checking the discharge line, and inspecting the pit.
The discharge line should run away from your foundation. Many do-it-yourself jobs get this wrong.
Water Softener & Filtration
Water treatment is not an option of a luxury upgrade, but rather a practical matter in Holland due to its hard water realities. The right-sized water softener prolongs the life of your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. Not just that, but it will also help to reduce soap scum, improve lather, and save your skin from feeling sandpapered after that hot shower.
A competent plumbing professional will analyze the water hardness of the home before suggesting a system; they will not just push the most costly softener on the truck.
Remodel Plumbing
One of the more complicated plumbing projects is bathroom and kitchen renovations, where permit requirements need to be adhered to, and other trades must be coordinated. The City of Holland or Ottawa County (as applicable) must approve all new or relocated drain/supply lines in Holland. If a plumber is telling you that a remodel project does not require a permit, either they are lying, or they are trying to cut a corner, and you may likely find yourself held liable when you resell.
Installing and repairing gas lines.
This is not a “how-to” category. Gas line work must be performed by a licensed plumber or specialty gas contractor in Michigan. If you smell gas, evacuate and call your gas company or the fire department before calling a plumber. After the initial task of dealing with the immediate danger, a licensed plumber conducts pressure testing, installation of the lines, and connections to the appliances.
Backflow Device Testing & Installation
If you are located on a commercial property or have an irrigation system or any cross-connection to municipal water, testing of backflow preventers may be required annually by local code. Not all plumbing services in holland mi can provide this check before scheduling.
How to Choose a Plumber in Holland, MI: The Checklist That Actually Matters
This is the part of the puzzle you will not find anywhere else.
Before you call:
Do they have a Michigan license? Check at Michigan LARA’s online licensing database (30 seconds)
Does he/she have liability insurance and workman’s compensation? Ask a legitimate contractor directly, won’t be afraid to do so!
Do they service your area? (Some companies may advertise Holland, but really work out of Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo)
Do they obtain permits for permit-required work? (If no, walk away)
Yes, they do have Google reviews in the past 90 days. (Old reviews say little if anything about today. Recent reviews are a sign of an active, operating business)
When answering the phone:
Do they provide a definite time of arrival?
Do they tell you what they are doing before they charge you a fee for the diagnosis?
Do they provide estimates in writing before work?
Can they explain to you what is included in any warranty that they offer?
Any of the following can be a red flag:
Requires all payments before work is done
Will not give a license number when requested
Estimates a price over the phone without seeing the job (while it is OK to get a ballpark estimate, it is not OK to sign a contract without seeing the job)
Pouncing on the price (“I can’t beat this price if you don’t know”)
A telephone number and a van, no physical address.
Much of this is not what you think it is. Much of this is not “Licensed” as you might think.
Plumbing must be done by a Licensed Plumber in Michigan! The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) awards licenses at the Master Plumber and Journeyman Plumber levels. To pull permits and operate a plumbing company, a Master Plumber license is needed. The license number of any Michigan plumber can be checked at michigan.gov/lara.
This is important because if your home is damaged by such work, the insurance policy will not apply to the repairs (which most homeowners are not aware of until they make a claim).
Seasonal Plumbing Checklist for Holland, MI Homeowners
Your plumbing gets a workout, especially if you live in West Michigan.
The following is a list of items to monitor throughout the year.
Fall (October – November) is the time for Prevention Season.
Cool uninsulated pipes in crawl spaces, exterior walls, and garages.
Turn off and drain outside hoses and irrigation systems before the first hard freeze, not afterwards!
Test your sump pump before the freeze, it’s too late during the spring thaw.
Wait until the cold weather is here before flushing your water heater to get rid of sediment.
Find the main water shut-off valve and inform your family how to locate it.
Winter (December – March) is considered the Emergency Season
Remove cabinet doors to the exterior wall on nights below 20°F
Run a slow drip from faucets on pipes that are at risk during severe winter weather.
Be familiar with the symptoms of frozen pipes: no water comes from a faucet, the drain has an unusual odor, or frost on the outside of the pipe.
In case of a pipe burst, close the main water shut-off valve FIRST and then call a plumber!
April – May is the Damage Assessment Season, which is Spring.
Check exposed pipes for frost damage (micro-cracks) caused by winter freezing temperatures.
Make sure your sump pump is in good working order. Spring thaw means serious groundwater pressure in Holland.
Check for slow drains throughout the house (tree roots are the most active in spring)
Inspect outside faucets for winter damage; Inspect outside faucets for winter damage;
In summer (June – September), the plant requires maintenance.
Reschedule non-emergency plumbing repairs and plumbing remodeling during periods of time when access to pipes is easier due to weather conditions.
If you have a home built more than 20 years ago, you may want to consider getting a sewer line camera inspection scheduled.
Ideal time for installing a water softener/filter system (no delays due to freezing)
What 10+ Years Working With Holland Area Plumbing Actually Teaches You
Observing hundreds of service calls throughout Ottawa County and collaborating with plumbing contractors in West Michigan, a few patterns emerge.
The most costly plumbing issues in Holland aren’t a result of bad luck. They occur as a result of any delayed action. The homeowner who takes no action when their slow-drain problem is going on for eight months ends up with a $1200 hydro jetting job and potentially damages their sewer line. The homeowner who procrastinates on the “occasional” water heater noise finds him/herself in need of a homeowner’s water heater replacement at the most inopportune time, especially around the weekends when guests are visiting.
There are three common traits among the plumbing companies that always provide 5-star reviews in Holland: they’re on time, have a solution before offering a problem, and don’t aggravate the issue while solving it. That’s the one that seems like a no-brainer. It isn’t.
The lowest price call homeowners see is to have a sewer line camera inspection done on a property they are interested in before closing. $200-$400 up front. The other way to find out is to learn you have a lateral sewer line problem six months after you’ve bought your home, and the cost to repair or replace is $3,000 – $8,000. Aging clay sewer lines are not uncommon in Holland’s older neighborhoods, especially in the downtown area and the James Street corridor near the west side.
What’s the biggest thing you don’t do to your car that would be beneficial? Water heater flushing. Few Holland homeowners have ever had it done. The hardness of the water here means that sediment is built up at the bottom of the tank and becomes an insulating layer between the burner and the water. Each month, you are spending more on gas/electric to heat through that layer. The annual flush of $100-$150 replaces the heater and lowers energy costs. It’s boring. It’s not urgent. And it is a money saver.
FAQ — Questions Holland Homeowners Ask Most
How fast can I get a plumber to Holland, MI?
Most plumbing companies in Holland are available the same day, with their services being offered during the morning hours, and not necessarily when an emergency occurs. For a true 24/7 emergency response, a plumber will be there after hours, usually in 1-3 hours. Companies with an “emergency line” that rings to voicemail at 11 PM may not be providing 24/7 service after all. Be specific: “If I call at midnight, will someone actually be there and answer?
Does the city of Holland, MI require a permit for plumbing?
Yes, for more than just fixture changes. Permits are required for any work involving new or moved water supply lines, drain lines, gas lines, or the installation of a water heater, from the City of Holland or Ottawa County, as appropriate. The process for getting a permit is part of the licensed plumber’s responsibilities. When a contractor says that a project doesn’t require a permit, that is a red flag. Make sure that they write it down.
How can I tell if my plumber is licensed in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has a database of licensed plumbing contractors, which is available to the public. Search Michigan.gov/lara for company name or individual name. Michigan plumbing companies are owned and operated by a Master Plumber licensed. Avoid hiring a contractor who refuses to give their license number on request.
What is the most frequent plumbing problem in the cold snaps of Holland, MI winters?
By far and a mile, frozen and burst pipes. Rapid freeze-thaw cycles in Holland’s Lake Michigan cause pipes to break in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and garages. Many homeowners are surprised at the burst when it occurs during the thaw rather than the freeze. If water pressure is lost from a particular faucet before or after a cold snap, and the pipes around that fixture can be reached, see if there is frost on the outside of the pipe before taking any other steps.
What is the price of emergency plumbing in Holland, MI?
Emergency phone calls that are made after hours will be $100-$250 more than the normal charge. If the pipe has burst, the total cost of repairs will vary from $400 to $1500+, depending on where the pipe has burst and how easy or difficult it is to gain access to the area. The cost of a sewer backup with camera inspection and hydro jetting is $600 – $1,200. Any good company will ask them to provide you with these numbers in writing as an estimate before the work is done!
Is hard water in Holland a big problem?
Yes, and it is one of the least recognized water problems in this region. The water quality in Holland is above the limit for “hard” water, which is a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. This creates scale in pipes over time, which decreases water flow; decreases water heater efficiency; reduces dishwasher and washing machine efficiency; and causes fixture staining. One of the best investments a Holland homeowner can make is a water softener, not for comfort, but for the longevity of all the home’s water-using appliances.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, you have more information about Holland MI plumbing than you would from five websites that all say the same thing.
What’s most important is that:
The first and most important rule for hiring a reliable plumber in Holland is to hire one first. Secure the services of a local company that is licensed, has positive reviews, and arrives on time. Know where your main water shutoff valve is. Be prepared against seasonal maintenance items – particularly the winter months in Michigan.
Plumbing conditions in Holland are unique: hard water, harsh freeze–thaw periods, older homes in established neighborhoods, and a water table that demands sump pumping. It’s the plumbers who get that it’s not just plumbing that is important, it’s the context.
Looking to contact a plumber in Holland, MI? Take the checklist in this guide along with you when you call. Request a license number. Request a written quote. Don’t wait if it is an emergency, water damage builds quickly and doesn’t take a weekend off.
Catering to the Holland, MI area, such as James Street, Zeeland, Hamilton, West Olive, Grand Haven, Hudsonville, and other areas of Ottawa County.