Sandison Plumbing Services in Oakland and Macomb Counties

Licensed plumbing services for homes and businesses throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Sandison diagnoses plumbing problems accurately — using thermal imaging, camera inspection, and systematic root-cause analysis — before recommending any repair. Michigan Master Plumber 8112263. Plumbing Contractor 800-3618.

Call (248) 453-1227 Request Service

Plumbing Services

Leak diagnosis and repair

Systematic leak diagnosis using thermal imaging, pressure testing, and visual inspection. Sandison locates the source of leaks — including concealed leaks behind walls and under slabs — before recommending repair.

Water lines and shutoff valves

Repair and replacement of supply lines, shutoff valves, pressure regulators, and expansion tanks. Repiping of galvanized, polybutylene, or deteriorated copper supply systems.

Fixtures, faucets, and toilets

Repair and replacement of faucets, toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and related fixtures. Includes supply connections, drain connections, and shutoff valves.

Sump pumps and sewage pumps

Installation, repair, and replacement of sump pumps, sewage ejector pumps, and battery backup systems. Includes discharge line and check valve inspection.

Drains and sewer

Drain cleaning, camera inspection, and sewer diagnosis. Identification of blockages, root intrusion, pipe damage, and grading issues. See drain and sewer for more detail.

Water heaters

Tank and tankless water heater repair, installation, and replacement. Sandison is a Noritz Platinum Dealer for tankless systems. See water heater services for more detail.

Water treatment and filtration

Installation and service of water softeners, whole-house filtration systems, reverse osmosis systems, and scale inhibitors. Connections to plumbing systems for new and existing equipment.

Backflow and cross-connection

Installation and annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies for irrigation systems, boilers, fire suppression, and commercial applications. See backflow services for more detail.

Thermal Imaging and Root-Cause Diagnosis

Sandison uses thermal imaging as part of the plumbing diagnostic process. Infrared cameras detect temperature differentials caused by water leaks, moisture accumulation, and pipe failures behind walls, under floors, and in concealed spaces. This allows Sandison to locate the source of a leak and open only the area needed for repair — rather than opening large sections of wall or floor speculatively.

Thermal imaging is particularly useful for:

Locating supply line leaks behind finished walls and ceilings

Identifying slab leaks under concrete floors

Finding moisture damage from slow or intermittent leaks

Locating drain line leaks in concealed spaces

Identifying insulation defects that cause pipe freezing

Documenting leak locations for insurance purposes

See thermal imaging services for more information on Sandison's infrared diagnostic capabilities.

Diagnostic and Documentation Process

Sandison's plumbing diagnostic approach is systematic. The technician identifies the root cause of the problem — not just the presenting symptom — before recommending any repair. This reduces unnecessary work, prevents callbacks, and ensures the repair addresses the actual failure.

For insurance claims, property transactions, and commercial facilities, Sandison provides written documentation of findings including thermal images, photographs, and written descriptions of conditions observed. This documentation supports accurate repair scoping and provides a record of the system's condition at the time of inspection.

Inspection and diagnosis

Systematic inspection using visual, thermal, and pressure-testing methods. Identify the root cause before recommending any repair.

Findings and options

Sandison explains what was found and presents repair options with pricing before any work begins. No surprises.

Repair and documentation

Work is performed to code. Written documentation of findings and repairs is provided on request.

Repair, Replacement, and Repiping

Not every plumbing problem requires repiping. Sandison evaluates the condition of the existing system and presents repair and replacement options with honest guidance on which makes more sense. Repiping is typically considered when:

Galvanized steel supply lines are corroding and restricting flow — common in homes built before the 1970s.
Multiple pinhole leaks have occurred in copper lines, often caused by aggressive water chemistry or dezincification.
Polybutylene pipe is present — a material with a documented history of failure.
The cost of repeated repairs exceeds the cost of repiping over a reasonable time horizon.

Sandison presents both options and explains the trade-offs. The right choice depends on the age and condition of the existing system, the scope of the problem, and the homeowner's plans for the property.

Residential Plumbing

Sandison provides residential plumbing service for homeowners throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Residential plumbing work includes leak diagnosis and repair, fixture replacement, water heater service, sump pump service, drain cleaning, water treatment connections, and backflow prevention. Sandison's thermal imaging capability is particularly useful for locating concealed leaks in finished homes.

Commercial Plumbing

Sandison provides commercial plumbing service for offices, retail, medical, and light industrial facilities throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Commercial plumbing work includes leak diagnosis, fixture service, water heater and booster systems, backflow prevention, grease trap service, and plumbing work integrated with HVAC and mechanical projects. See commercial plumbing for more detail.

Michigan Plumbing Licenses

Sandison holds Michigan Master Plumber License 8112263 and Michigan Plumbing Contractor License 800-3618. All plumbing work is performed by or under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. Sandison also holds Michigan Mechanical License 7115733 for HVAC work, allowing plumbing and mechanical work to be performed under the same contractor relationship.

Emergency Plumbing Service

For scheduling during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), call (248) 453-1227.

24/7: (248) 467-1761 Emergency info

Drain and Sewer Water Heaters Tankless Water Heaters Water Treatment Backflow Thermal Imaging Emergency Service Service Areas Request Service

Plumbing — Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sandison check during a plumbing diagnostic?

Sandison's diagnostic process depends on the problem. For leak diagnosis, the technician inspects visible supply and drain lines, fixtures, connections, and shutoff valves. Thermal imaging is used to locate leaks behind walls, under slabs, and in concealed spaces without destructive investigation. For drain and sewer problems, camera inspection identifies blockages, root intrusion, pipe damage, and grading issues.

Can Sandison find a leak without opening walls?

In many cases, yes. Sandison uses thermal imaging to identify temperature differentials caused by water leaks behind walls, under floors, and in concealed spaces. This allows the technician to locate the leak and open only the area needed for repair, rather than opening large sections of wall or floor speculatively.

What is backflow prevention and when is it required?

Backflow prevention devices protect the potable water supply from contamination by preventing water from flowing backward from a potentially contaminated source into the supply system. Backflow preventers are required by code on irrigation systems, boilers, fire suppression systems, and certain commercial applications. Sandison installs and tests backflow prevention assemblies and provides annual testing as required by local authorities.

Is emergency plumbing service available after hours?

Emergency plumbing calls are accepted 24/7. For after-hours plumbing emergencies, call (248) 467-1761. After-hours response depends on technician availability, your location, and the type of work required. For scheduling during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), call (248) 453-1227.

When should pipes be repiped rather than repaired?

Repiping is typically considered when a home has galvanized steel supply lines that are corroding and restricting flow, when multiple pinhole leaks have occurred in copper lines (often caused by aggressive water chemistry), or when polybutylene pipe is present. Sandison evaluates the condition of the existing piping and presents repair and repipe options with honest guidance on which makes more sense.

What licenses does Sandison hold for plumbing work?

Sandison holds Michigan Master Plumber License 8112263 and Michigan Plumbing Contractor License 800-3618. All plumbing work is performed by or under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.

Schedule Plumbing Service

Call Sandison at (248) 453-1227 or submit a service request online. For after-hours plumbing emergencies, call (248) 467-1761.