Winters are among the coldest of any major U.S. city, with frost driven deep into the ground. Water lines must be buried well below the frost line, and pipes along rim joists, in exterior walls and in garages freeze during subzero stretches. City water drawn from the Red and Sheyenne rivers is treated and moderately hard.
Housing & construction
Older homes near downtown and in north Fargo, postwar homes across the city, and newer subdivisions in south Fargo.
Plumbing services in Fargo
Sump Pump Repair in Fargo
Spring thaw and floods
Fargo sump pump repair →
Pipe Repair in Fargo
Rim joist freezes
Fargo pipe repair →Also common in Fargo: water heater repair, water softeners & filtration.
What makes Fargo plumbing different
Spring flooding
Red River floods and high groundwater threaten basements.
Extreme cold
Subzero temperatures freeze rim joist and exterior-wall pipes.
Heavy clay
Clay soils drain slowly and move foundations.
Sump pumps
Pumps run hard during spring thaw and rain.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for Fargo
- SpringTest sump pumps and backup systems before the thaw and flood season.
- WinterInsulate rim joists and keep garages above freezing.
Plumbing emergency in Fargo?
- Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
- Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Fargo plumbing questions
Do Fargo homes need sump pumps?
Most homes with basements rely on them, especially during the spring thaw and flood season.
How deep should water lines be in Fargo?
Well below a very deep frost line; shallow or exposed lines freeze in extreme cold.
Is Fargo water hard?
It’s moderately hard; check the city’s water quality report.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around Fargo, including West Fargo, Moorhead, MN, Horace, Dilworth, MN, Casselton.