Bloomington has about 90,000 residents, which makes it the biggest city on our map, and its plumbing reflects its size. A 1950s rambler, a 1980s townhome complex and an office building off Interstate 494 can each have a very different problem on the same afternoon. The 24/7 line from Eden Prairie takes all of them.
Interstate 494 runs along the northern edge of Bloomington and across the north side of Eden Prairie, so the two cities are linked by one of the metro's main east-west roads. Interstate 35W, Highway 100 and U.S. Highway 169 also cross the city, and the Minnesota River valley marks its southern side.
Neighborhood first: three kinds of Bloomington property, three kinds of call
Post-war single-family homes. Bloomington grew from about 9,900 residents in 1950 to about 50,500 in 1960 and about 82,000 in 1970, according to Census counts. Many of those early homes were built in a low-density pattern, and some began life with private wells and septic systems before city services arrived. That history means older lines, patched connections and basements with decades of drain work behind them.
Townhomes and condos. Shared stacks and shared walls make a leak in one unit a problem for three. Here we spend more time on locating the source, which is where leak detection earns its keep.
Commercial corners. The Mall of America opened in 1992, and the offices and restaurants around it keep commercial plumbing busy with grease lines, restroom backups and after-hours leaks.
Around-the-clock dispatch
Emergency dispatch is available around the clock for Bloomington homes and businesses, with same-day appointments offered when a slot is open.
Water from two sources
The city blends its own well water with finished water bought from Minneapolis, then softens it with lime, so scale is lighter than you might expect.
Meters in the basement
The city says meters are usually in the basement, 12 to 24 inches above the floor, so most leak checks start right there.
What Bloomington's water report tells a plumber
The City of Bloomington's water quality report says its supply comes from six deep wells plus a connection to Minneapolis, and the two are blended. The city uses lime softening to bring hardness from about 19 grains per gallon down to about 5.2, and it has inventoried its water services and found no lead service lines.
For you, that means a softer tap than Chanhassen's and about the same as Eden Prairie's. A home softener is rarely needed, and scale in a heater is more likely from age than from water. The city also says it handles water meter repairs, so a suspect meter is a call to the city, while everything on your side of the meter is plumbing.
Sewer backups: the Bloomington specifics
Bloomington publishes a 24-hour sewer backup line of its own. If sewage is coming up from a floor drain, call that city line to report it, and call us for the cleanup and the repair on your side. Do not run water, laundry or dishwashers while you wait.
We start with sewer line cleaning at the cleanout and a camera to see whether the problem is roots, a belly or a collapse. If the line needs work, sewer line repair options are laid out so you can compare them before anyone digs.
Emergency plumber for Bloomington
Dispatch from Eden Prairie answers 24/7 and books same-day appointments for Bloomington when one is open.
Before we arrive: if you have a burst pipe or active leak in Bloomington
A quick checklist for the minutes before help arrives
Find the meter and close the valve
The meter is usually in the basement near where the copper line comes up through the floor. Close the valve on the house side first.
Kill power to wet areas
Turn off breakers feeding wet rooms only if you can reach the panel on dry ground, and never touch a switch while standing in water.
Clear the floor
Lift boxes, rugs and electronics, then open a low faucet so the lines drain.
Call the 24/7 line
Say what failed, where the valve is, and whether water is touching electrical equipment. For a sewer backup, also call the city's backup line.
ZIP codes, roads and neighboring pages
We serve the 55438, 55437 and 55431 ZIP codes, and dispatch confirms your street when you call. Hopkins and Minnetonka pages cover the neighbors to the north.
When a leak is hidden, the first sign is often a high bill rather than a puddle. The overnight meter check works here too: record the reading at bedtime, use no water, and read it again in the morning.
Want to talk through an unusual situation, like a leak in a shared wall? Call (952) 866-9120 and the dispatcher will explain what the plumber would check and how the price is set before work starts.
Bloomington plumbing questions
We cover 55438, 55437 and 55431, whether the call comes from the Interstate 494 corridor, a neighborhood off Highway 100 or a townhome near the Mall of America. If your address is near a boundary, the dispatcher will confirm when you call.
Yes. The 24/7 line takes Bloomington calls at any hour, including weekends. A plumber is booked for the next open appointment, and same-day service is offered when a slot is open.
Both can be involved. The city runs a 24-hour sewer backup line for reports, and a plumber clears and repairs the line on your side. If the blockage turns out to be in the city main, the city handles that part.
Yes. The city's water report says lime softening brings hardness from about 19 grains per gallon to about 5.2, which is why most homes do not need their own softener.
The city says meters are usually in the basement, 12 to 24 inches above the floor, where the copper service line comes up through the floor. Without a basement, look in a heated crawl space or on the ground floor.
Start with a plumber to find the source. Once the pipe is located, your association rules or lease decide who pays, and a clear report helps.