43 questions · sourced answers

Plumbing questions, answered.

Straight answers for homeowners in Coon Rapids and the north metro, grouped the way your house is. When a rule or a number is involved, the source is listed under the answer.

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APAbout AP Plumbing

Where is AP Plumbing located?

AP Plumbing is based at 12433 Uplander St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448. From there we serve Coon Rapids and 14 nearby north-metro cities: Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, Ramsey, Shoreview and Spring Lake Park.

What are AP Plumbing’s hours?

Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM. Closed Sunday. The fastest way to reach us is to call (612) 245-7341.

Can AP Plumbing come out the same day?

Often, depending on the day’s schedule. Reviewers describe same-day visits, and one called around 9:30 PM about a kitchen leak that reached the basement and had it fixed that night. Call (612) 245-7341 to check today’s schedule.

Source: Google reviews of AP Plumbing

How long has AP Plumbing been in business?

Since 2012. AP Plumbing LLC was registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State on June 7, 2012. It’s a family-owned business based in Coon Rapids.

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, business filing for AP Plumbing LLC

What plumbing work does AP Plumbing do?

Residential plumbing, top to bottom: toilets, faucets, low water pressure and remodels upstairs; leak detection, pipe repair and general repairs inside the walls; garbage disposals and dishwashers in the kitchen; water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps and gas lines in the basement; and drains, sewer camera inspections and outdoor plumbing outside.

How do I book a plumber with AP Plumbing?

Call (612) 245-7341, Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 10 PM. For anything that isn’t urgent you can also send a service request from the contact page. If water is actively leaking or a drain is backing up, call instead of using the form.

What payment methods does AP Plumbing accept?

Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Zelle.

Source: AP Plumbing

2FUpstairs: bathrooms

Why does my toilet keep running?

Usually the flapper isn’t sealing, so water seeps into the bowl and the tank keeps refilling, or the fill valve isn’t shutting off and water spills into the overflow tube. Both are replaceable parts. A dye test, food coloring in the tank for 10 minutes, shows a flapper leak.

Source: EPA WaterSense, Fix a Leak Week

Why is water leaking around the base of my toilet?

Water at the base usually means the wax ring that seals the toilet to the drain has failed, often because the toilet rocked or the flange under it is cracked or loose. The fix is pulling the toilet, repairing the flange if needed, and resetting it on a new wax ring.

Should I repair or replace a dripping faucet?

Repair it if replacement cartridges are available and the body and finish are in good shape; most drips are a worn cartridge or seal. Replace it if the body is corroded, parts are unavailable, it keeps failing, or you’re remodeling anyway.

How much water does a dripping faucet waste?

EPA says a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. That’s a small cartridge or seal repair, and it shows up on the water bill.

Source: EPA WaterSense, Fix a Leak Week

What is normal water pressure for a house?

Minnesota’s plumbing code caps static pressure at 80 psi; above that a pressure-reducing valve is required. At the fixtures, code requires at least 15 psi of residual pressure. For a local reference point, Blaine reports an average system pressure of 62 psi.

Source: 2020 Minnesota Plumbing Code §608.1–608.2; City of Blaine water system

Why is my water pressure suddenly low?

A sudden drop usually means a leak, a city main break or work on the water system, or a valve that has failed. With every fixture off, check the water meter; if it’s moving, water is going somewhere. If an outside faucet has good pressure, Coon Rapids says the problem is inside the home.

Do I need a permit for bathroom remodel plumbing in Coon Rapids?

Yes. Coon Rapids requires a plumbing permit for altered plumbing systems and for replacing fixtures such as tub/showers, sinks, dishwashers and disposals. The work is inspected and tested before it’s covered.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, Residential Plumbing Requirements

More bathroom & kitchen remodeling questions

Can I pull the permit myself and have a plumber do the work?

Coon Rapids says no: when you hire a contractor, the contractor must pull the permit. If a homeowner signs for the permit, the homeowner becomes liable for fixing the contractor’s work. Let the plumber doing the work pull the plumbing permit.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, Building Inspections FAQ

More bathroom & kitchen remodeling questions

WALLInside the walls: pipes & leaks

How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?

Look for a new stain on a ceiling or wall, a musty smell, warped flooring, the sound of running water when nothing is on, or a water bill that jumps for no reason. Then do EPA’s meter test: read the meter, use no water for two hours, and read it again. Any change means a leak.

Source: EPA WaterSense, Fix a Leak Week

How do plumbers find leaks without tearing out walls?

By narrowing it down before opening anything: meter readings and pressure tests confirm the leak and whether it’s on the hot or cold side, shutting off sections isolates it, and thermal imaging and acoustic listening help pinpoint the spot. Then only the area over the leak gets opened.

What should I do if a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water valve, usually in the basement where the water line comes in near the meter. Open a faucet on the lowest level to drain pressure from the lines, stay clear of water near outlets or the electrical panel, and call a plumber.

How do I keep pipes from freezing in Minnesota?

Keep heat on in every room with plumbing, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, and insulate pipes in cold spots. When freezing is a risk, Coon Rapids advises letting one faucet run with a stream about the width of a pencil lead; yellow water or water below 35°F are warning signs.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, “Keep the Water Flowing” (Jan. 2026)

Can I do my own plumbing in Minnesota?

Minnesota lets homeowners do code-compliant plumbing in a home they own and live in, unless a local ordinance forbids it. Permits still apply: in Coon Rapids, homeowners can pull permits only for work they do themselves on the home they live in.

Source: Minnesota Statutes §326B.46; City of Coon Rapids

1FMain floor: kitchen

Why does my garbage disposal hum but not turn?

It’s usually jammed. Turn off the power, then use the hex wrench that fits the socket in the bottom of the unit and work it back and forth until the turntable spins freely. Press the reset button and try again. If it still hums or trips, the motor may be failing.

Source: InSinkErator installation, care & use manual

Should I repair or replace my garbage disposal?

Repair it if it’s jammed, a connection is loose, or it runs strong once cleared. Replace it if water leaks from the body or bottom, the motor keeps tripping after a jam is cleared, or it’s rusted. Internal seal failures aren’t worth repairing.

Does a dishwasher need an air gap in Minnesota?

It needs backflow protection. Minnesota code allows either an approved air gap or a drain line run as high as possible under the countertop and secured. Some cities are stricter: Coon Rapids’ handout calls for an air gap or an indirect wye connection on the sink tailpiece.

Source: Minnesota Rules 4714.0807; City of Coon Rapids

Do I need a permit to replace a dishwasher?

In Coon Rapids, yes. The city lists dishwasher replacement among the plumbing jobs that require a permit, along with water heaters, softeners and disposals. Check your own city’s rules; they vary.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, Residential Plumbing Requirements

B1Utility room: basement

How do I know if my water heater needs to be replaced?

Replace it when the tank itself is leaking, since a corroded tank can’t be repaired, or when it’s around 10 years old and no longer heating consistently, which ENERGY STAR flags as a sign of decline. Most other problems, like a bad gas valve, thermocouple, element or relief valve, are repairable.

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Coon Rapids?

Yes. Coon Rapids lists water heater replacement among the plumbing jobs that require a permit, along with water softeners, dishwashers and garbage disposals. Blaine, Andover, Anoka and most neighboring cities also require one. The inspection checks the gas line, venting and relief valve discharge.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, Residential Plumbing Requirements

Do I need a water softener in Coon Rapids?

Most homes benefit from one. Coon Rapids city water measures 16–18 grains per gallon of hardness, and the Minnesota Department of Health says a softener may be needed above 7. The city’s treatment plants remove iron and manganese but don’t soften the water.

Source: City of Coon Rapids; Minnesota Department of Health

How hard is the water in the north metro?

Per each city’s published water information: New Brighton 24 grains per gallon, Blaine 18–21, Coon Rapids 16–18, Mounds View 17, Fridley 12–17, Ramsey 15–17, Shoreview 15, Lino Lakes 14.8 and Andover 13. Columbia Heights buys Minneapolis water, which is much softer at about 4.5 grains.

Source: City water reports and utility pages, checked October 2026

How often should I test my sump pump?

Zoeller recommends cycling a pump that rarely runs at least once a month. Pour a bucket of water into the pit, make sure the float lifts, the pump starts and the water drains, and listen for the check valve closing when it stops.

Source: Zoeller (2025)

Do I need a battery backup sump pump?

If water ever comes into your pit during storms, a backup is cheap insurance. Battery-powered and water-powered backup pumps keep protecting a basement during power outages, which is when the primary pump can’t run.

Source: Zoeller (2025)

What should I do if I smell gas?

Get everyone out of the house first. Don’t flip switches, use the phone inside or start a car in an attached garage. From outside, call your gas utility or 911. A plumber fixes the leak after the utility has made the house safe.

Do I need a permit to run a new gas line?

Yes. Gas piping work is permitted and inspected. In Coon Rapids, a new gas opening needs a separate mechanical permit in addition to any plumbing permit for the job.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, Plumbing Permit Application

YARDUnder the lawn: outside & underground

Who do I call for a sewer backup in Coon Rapids?

Call the city first. Coon Rapids utility staff are on call 24 hours a day to check whether the backup is in the city main. If the city main is clear, the blockage is in your private sewer line, and a plumber clears it.

Source: City of Coon Rapids, Utilities FAQ

Why does my drain keep clogging?

A drain that clogs again soon after it’s cleared usually has a cause that clearing can’t fix: roots growing into a joint, a sag that holds waste, a broken section, or heavy grease buildup. A camera inspection shows which one, and where.

What does a sewer camera inspection show?

A sewer camera shows the inside of the drain or sewer line in real time: roots in the joints, cracks, breaks, offset or separated joints, sags that hold water, and grease or scale buildup. It also shows how far each problem is from the cleanout, so a repair can be located precisely.

Should I get a sewer inspection before buying a house?

For an older home, yes. The Met Council says a home’s age is the closest clue to what its sewer lateral is made of, and its task force reports an average lateral repair can cost $8,000 or more, which the buyer inherits along with the house.

Source: Metropolitan Council, 2023 I/I Task Force Report

What is a frost-free hose bib?

A frost-free hose bib, or sillcock, puts its shutoff valve inside the heated house at the end of a long stem. When you close it, the water in the stem drains out the spout, so nothing is left in the cold part of the wall to freeze, as long as no hose is attached.

Do I need to shut off my outdoor faucets for winter in Minnesota?

Disconnect every hose before the first freeze. Frost-free hose bibs don’t need to be shut off inside, but older, non-frost-free bibs should be shut off at their inside valve and drained. A hose left attached can trap water and split even a frost-free bib.

CITYYour city’s rules

Which north-metro city has the hardest water?

Of the city water reports we checked, New Brighton’s was hardest at about 24 grains per gallon and Blaine’s next at 18 to 21; Coon Rapids runs 16 to 18. Columbia Heights, which buys Minneapolis water drawn from the Mississippi, was softest at about 4.5. The Minnesota Department of Health says a softener may be needed above 7 grains.

Each city page lists its own number and source.

Source: City water reports; Minnesota Department of Health

Who is responsible for the sewer line from my house to the street?

In most north-metro cities, you are. Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, Ramsey and Shoreview all put the private sewer service on the property owner, though the exact boundary varies; Shoreview’s, for example, runs to the property line. Ham Lake homes are on septic.

Source: City codes and public works pages, linked on each city page

Which north-metro cities require a permit to replace a water heater?

Every city where we found the rule does. Coon Rapids, Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin, Ham Lake, Lexington, New Brighton, Ramsey and Spring Lake Park all require a permit for water heater replacement, and fees vary by city; Lexington’s, for example, is $41. Inspections typically check the gas or electric connection, the venting and the relief valve discharge.

Source: City permit pages, linked on each city page

Is it legal to drain a sump pump into the sanitary sewer in the north metro?

No. Anoka, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, Shoreview and Spring Lake Park all prohibit sump pump water in the sanitary sewer by code or ordinance. Several cities also control where it lands outside: Champlin wants it on the lawn rather than the sidewalk or street, and Fridley requires it to flow over grass before it reaches a gutter or storm sewer.

Source: City codes and ordinances, linked on each city page

Which cities does AP Plumbing serve?

Coon Rapids, where we’re based, plus Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, Ramsey, Shoreview and Spring Lake Park. We also take calls from elsewhere in the Twin Cities metro.

01Call us

Didn’t see your question? Call and ask.

(612) 245‑7341

Mon – Sat · 8 AM – 10 PM

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 10 PM · Sunday closed
Address: 12433 Uplander St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
Serving: Coon Rapids and 14 north‑metro cities · see the map