Plumbing Repair & Maintenance in Grand Rapids and Surrounding Areas, Including Kentwood, MI
West Michigan homes face freeze–thaw cycles, clay soil shifts, tree-root pressure, and heavy spring rain. That mix strains pipes, fixtures, drains, and sump systems. Penning Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric keeps your plumbing tight, clean, and code-correct with repairs and scheduled maintenance that fit local conditions. A licensed plumber arrives on time, protects floors, diagnoses with modern test gear, and explains options in plain language. We repair leaks, failed shutoffs, slow or gurgling drains, sump pump alarms, and aging water lines. We also maintain water heaters, test water quality, and map shutoffs so you can act fast during a storm. Three generations in Grand Rapids built our process: clear findings, photo documentation, stocked trucks, and work that stands up to long winters and wet springs.
Need fast help with leaks, drains, or sump systems? Call 616-538-0220. Penning delivers clean, code-correct fixes that stand up to West Michigan weather.
Very Professional and Polite,
Fast, Code-Correct Plumbing Repairs Across Grand Rapids & Kentwood
Plumbing problems rarely wait for business hours, so our team carries the parts and tools that solve most issues on the first visit. Techs repair dripping faucets, running toilets, seized angle stops, and leaking traps. Slab or wall leaks get pinpointed with acoustic and thermal tools before we open anything. We replace corroded galvanized sections with copper or PEX that meets local code and water quality needs. Water heater trouble gets a full check, ignition, venting, anode condition, and safeties, so you get heat without surprise lockouts. We set new shutoffs, label them, and verify every joint stays dry under pressure. You get clear notes and photos before and after the fix so you know exactly what changed.
Preventive Maintenance That Matches West Michigan Conditions
Good maintenance stops emergencies. Our annual visit focuses on the real failure points in this region. We flush tank water heaters to reduce scale, test T&P valves, and inspect anodes. We clean aerators and showerheads to restore flow and cut splash. We exercise the main and fixture shutoffs so they turn freely during a cold-snap leak. We test sump pumps, inspect check valves, clear discharge lines, and simulate a power loss for backup systems. We run dye tests on toilets, check trap seals in seldom-used fixtures, and verify adequate venting to prevent sewer odors during big temperature swings. You also get a simple shutoff map and a short list of priorities so your home stays ready for heavy rain and deep cold.
Sewer, Drain & Sump Systems That Protect Basements
Tree roots and older clay or cast-iron laterals show up across the metro. Our drain team scopes lines with HD cameras to locate offsets, breaks, and root intrusion. Light debris clears with snaking; heavy grease, scale, and roots call for hydro jetting that scrubs the pipe wall clean. Basement protection matters here, so we size and test sump pumps, replace tired check valves, add high-water alarms, and reroute discharges that ice up near foundations. Floor drains get trap primers or scheduled topping-off so they don’t dry out and vent sewer air after long heating runs. A clean, well-vented drain system keeps fixtures quiet, basements dry, and yards free of soft, soggy spots after storms.
Water Quality Fixes Tailored to Local Supply
Hard water leaves scale on fixtures, clogs cartridges, and shortens water-heater life. Our plumbers test hardness, iron, pH, and chlorine right at the sink, then match solutions to your readings. Options include softeners sized to your usage, whole-house carbon filters for taste and odor, and point-of-use filtration for cooking and drinking. We set bypasses, label valves, and show you how to keep salt levels or cartridges on schedule. Scale control improves hot-water recovery, protects glassware and finishes, and reduces the grit that chews up faucet seals. You get cleaner water, longer fixture life, and a water heater that runs closer to its rated efficiency.
Common Grand Rapids & Kentwood Plumbing Problems We Solve
Cold winters, mature trees, and spring thaw create patterns we know well. Here’s a quick snapshot, plus how our team responds.
- Frozen hose bibs and split lines → install frost-free bibs, add shutoffs, insulate exposed runs
- Rooted sewer laterals and slow mains → camera inspection, hydro jetting, spot repair plans
- Sump pumps that short-cycle or fail under load → new check valves, pump sizing, backup systems
- Low hot-water volume and temperature swings → flush heaters, replace clogged dip tubes, set mixing valves
- Toilet ghost flushing and utility bill spikes → dye tests, quality flappers, fill-valve calibration
- Old galvanized piping with rust flakes → targeted repipes with copper or PEX and clean new shutoffs
FAQs: Plumbing Repair & Maintenance in Grand Rapids & Kentwood
Q1: How often should I schedule whole-home plumbing maintenance?
Schedule once a year. Early fall works well, so shutoffs move freely and the sump system stands ready for snowmelt and spring storms.
Q2: Do you offer camera inspections before sewer repairs?
Yes. We record and mark depth and location. You see the footage, so repair choices stay clear and targeted.
Q3: How do I know my sump pump can handle heavy rain?
We test amperage, check valve function, run a bucket test, and simulate a power outage to confirm the backup kicks on and moves water fast.
Q4: My home has old galvanized lines. Can you replace sections over time?
Yes. We plan staged repipes that focus on the worst runs first, add new shutoffs, and keep water service active during the work.
Q5: Will maintenance help stop sewer odors during long heating runs?
Yes. We restore trap seals, set or service trap primers, check venting, and clean buildup that causes gurgling and odor pull-through.
