When water is coming in where it should not, or not coming through at all, the visible problem is rarely the whole story. A dripping pipe under the sink might be the joint. It might be pressure that has been too high for years finally wearing the fittings down. Finding out which one it is changes everything about how the repair gets done and whether it holds. Dan Hickey Plumbing & Heating works through that process for homes and businesses across Malden, starting at the cause rather than the symptom.
Malden is a city with a lot of housing, a lot of it old, and a lot of buildings where the plumbing has been added to, patched, and changed over the decades without anyone keeping a clear record. Apartment buildings, two- and three-family homes, commercial spaces on the ground floor and tenants above: the calls we get here reflect all of that. We handle the work across every type of property, and we explain what we found and why we did what we did before we leave.
Galvanized steel pipe was standard in older construction and it corrodes from the inside out over time. The result is reduced flow, discolored water, and eventually pinhole leaks that keep appearing in new spots. Polybutylene, installed widely in later decades, has its own failure pattern: the material degrades and becomes brittle, and it tends to fail at the fittings first. When either of these shows up in a home, targeted repairs buy time but rarely solve the underlying problem. We assess what is actually in the walls and give an honest recommendation on whether a section replacement or a full repipe makes more sense.
A pressure regulator keeps the supply coming into the house at a level the fixtures and fittings can handle. When it fails or drifts out of range, the effects show up throughout the building: pipes that knock, fittings that wear faster than they should, or pressure that varies between floors. Replacing a regulator is a straightforward job once the problem is confirmed, and it protects everything downstream from the added wear.
Outdoor fittings take more stress than most people account for. A hose bib that was not shut off and drained before a hard freeze can split internally without showing any sign of it until water is running through the wall. We replace damaged hose bibs and outdoor supply connections, and we install frost-free versions where the setup allows. Irrigation connections tied into the domestic supply are part of the same work.
A faucet that drips steadily wastes more water than most people expect, and one that is seized or hard to turn is usually on its way to a bigger problem. We repair or replace faucets and fixtures throughout the home, kitchen and bathroom alike. Where the fixture itself is worth keeping, we replace the internal parts. Where it is not, we install a replacement and make sure the supply connections are in good shape while we are at it.
Pressure that is weak at one fixture but fine at another points somewhere different than pressure that is low throughout the whole building. We trace the cause rather than guessing. It might be a corroded supply line, a failing regulator, a partially closed valve, or buildup inside older pipe. The fix depends on what we find, and we walk through it before we start.
A pipe that has split or burst needs to be addressed quickly, and the first step is getting the water off. We locate the break, assess the condition of the surrounding pipe, and make the repair. Where the failure is part of a larger pattern in aging pipe, we say so. We make the repair and leave it tidy.
We also handle leak detection and repair for hidden leaks, water heater repair and replacement for both tank and tankless units, toilet repair and replacement, garbage disposal installation, shutoff valve replacement, sewer line service and inspection, and gas line work on the supply side. The service page carries the full breakdown.
Same-day appointments are often available, and we are reachable every day from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM. When you call, we ask what is happening, talk through the job, and confirm a time. You get the rate before anything is scheduled, so there is no uncertainty about what you have agreed to.
For situations that will not keep, we treat urgent calls accordingly. A burst pipe, a sewer backup, no hot water in a building with tenants: these are not problems that wait for a scheduled slot. We work to get to them as quickly as the schedule allows. We do not promise a specific arrival window, but emergency calls within our hours are answered and handled.
For commercial properties and rental buildings, we understand that a plumbing problem during business hours or in an occupied unit has a different set of pressures around it. We work around what the property needs where we can, and we communicate clearly about what is happening and what comes next.
Malden has a lot of housing that was built before modern plumbing materials existed, and some of it has never been fully updated. That creates a specific set of challenges. Galvanized steel narrows as it corrodes, cast-iron drain stacks crack and shift over decades, and the fittings that were standard when the building went up are not always available today. When a repair calls for a part that is no longer made, the job gets more involved.
We treat your home and its pipes the way we would our own, which means we assess what is actually there before we decide how to approach it. Lead service lines, original clay sewer laterals, and multi-decade-old supply runs all require a different approach than a straightforward fixture swap. We are familiar with that work and we explain what we find in plain terms. Repiping is sometimes the practical answer, and when it is, we say so directly rather than extending a repair that is not going to hold.
Some calls start with a clear problem: a pipe is leaking, a drain is backed up, a fixture has stopped working. Others start with a symptom and no obvious cause. Pressure that dropped overnight, a water bill that jumped without explanation, a smell that comes and goes. We work through those methodically, because the repair is only as good as the diagnosis behind it. Hydro jetting is available for drain lines where a snake cannot fully clear the obstruction.
When a fixture, a water heater, or a section of pipe has reached the end of its useful life, replacement is a planned job rather than an emergency. We assess the existing system, discuss the options, and carry out the work with minimal disruption to the rest of the building. Whole-home repiping in Malden's older housing stock is a significant but straightforward job when it is planned properly. Sump pump replacement falls into the same category: a unit that has been sitting idle or running constantly needs to be assessed before the next wet season.
Bathroom and kitchen renovations, fixture upgrades, new appliance hookups, and additions all require plumbing work that is planned from the start rather than called in as a repair. We handle the rough-in and the finish work, coordinate around the rest of the project, and confirm everything is code-compliant before we finish. Garbage disposal installation, new fixture connections, and outdoor tap additions are all common requests on this side of the work.
No pressure and no gimmicks, just sound, lasting plumbing.
the plumbing details page breaks the work down.
Our customers call us back because we make plumbing simple, and pricing is part of that. When you call, we talk through what is happening and give you a rate before we schedule anything. What moves a quote is what the fault turns out to be and what has to come apart to reach it. A faucet repair is a different scope than a full pipe replacement, and a drain clog that clears with a snake is a different job than one that requires camera inspection and hydro jetting.
We give honest recommendations on repairs, never an upsell. If a repair will hold, we say so. If the condition of the pipe or the fixture means a repair is not the right call, we explain why. You get a straight answer on the phone, and the price is confirmed before we schedule anything. Ask what it covers and you get a clear explanation.
Reach out and we'll start at the source of the leak.
We cover Malden and the surrounding communities throughout Middlesex County. If you are in Everett, Melrose, Medford, Chelsea, or Somerville, we serve your area. The plumbing work across these communities is similar: older housing stock, mixed residential and commercial buildings, and the wear that comes with New England winters and aging infrastructure.
You always know who to call if you need us again.
We keep your home dry and your water flowing.
If you need documentation of the repair for an insurance claim, let us know when you call. We can discuss what information is needed and make sure the details of the work are available to you. We do not automatically prepare insurance documentation as part of every job, so it is worth raising on the call if it applies to your situation.
Clearing the area under a sink, around the water heater, or near the access point for the work makes the job go faster. If you know where the main shutoff is, that is useful information to have ready. Beyond that, a description of what you have noticed and when it started is the most helpful thing you can offer.
Yes. After a repair, we can walk you through what caused the problem and what, if anything, can be done to reduce the likelihood of it recurring. That might be a change in how a drain is used, a fixture that is worth replacing rather than repeatedly repairing, or a pipe condition that warrants monitoring. Honest guidance is part of how we approach the work.
Call (339) 365-9282. We are available every day from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM. When you call, you reach someone who can talk through the job, answer questions, and get a price to you before anything is scheduled.
Yes. We work on the gas supply line that connects to a plumbing appliance such as a water heater, including repairs to the line itself, valve replacement, and new connections where a fixture is being installed or relocated. We stay on the supply and plumbing side of the connection. Call (339) 365-9282 to discuss what the job involves.
Yes. A dripping faucet wastes water and often signals a worn component that will fail more completely over time. We handle small repairs as readily as large ones. If you have more than one minor issue, grouping them into a single visit is a practical way to take care of everything at once.
Multi-unit buildings come with their own set of considerations: shared supply lines, stacked drain runs, and tenants who need advance notice before water is shut off. We work through those logistics before we start, confirm the scope with whoever manages the property, and carry out the repair with as little disruption to occupied units as possible. Call (339) 365-9282 to talk through what your building needs.
A sump pump that has been sitting idle through a dry stretch may not perform the way it needs to when groundwater rises. The float switch can stick, the discharge line can develop a blockage, and a pump that is undersized for the volume it needs to move will run constantly and fail early. We inspect the pump and the drainage plumbing, confirm the unit is working correctly, and replace it if the condition warrants it. A check before the ground thaws is worth the call.
In most cases, yes. When you call and describe what is happening, we can give you a rate for the most likely scope of work before anything is scheduled. If the job turns out to be more involved than the description suggested, we confirm the updated price before proceeding.
A phone call is where it starts. We talk through what is happening, give you a rate, and confirm a time. Once a licensed plumber has assessed the situation, you know exactly what the problem is, what the fix involves, and what it costs. No guesswork on your end. Call (339) 365-9282 for a quote on plumbing service in Malden.
Ready for your pipes. Call today.
We are in these nearby communities as well: Everett, Somerville, Revere.
Check our list of communities.
Below is a plain-language look at the plumbing work we handle across Malden and the surrounding communities. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and a practical note to help you decide whether to call. If you have questions about a specific job, call us and we will walk through it with you before anything is scheduled.
| Type of Job | What It Covers | Typical Situations | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-Home Repiping |
| older Malden homes with corroding galvanized pipe, discolored water, or persistent pressure problems | Galvanized steel pipe corrodes from the inside over time, narrowing the line and eventually failing. Repiping solves problems that patching cannot fix permanently. |
| Water Pressure & Shutoff Valve Repair |
| homes with noticeably low pressure or valves that no longer close fully | Shutoff valves in older homes often corrode to the point where they will not fully close, which creates a serious problem during any repair or emergency. |
| Toilet Repair & Installation |
| homeowners with a toilet that runs, leaks at the base, or needs full replacement | A running toilet can waste a significant amount of water before the problem becomes obvious. Most repairs are straightforward and completed in a single visit. |
| Sewer Line Replacement |
| homes with older clay or cast-iron sewer lines showing root damage or freeze-thaw deterioration | Massachusetts freeze-thaw cycles accelerate deterioration in clay and cast-iron lines. We inspect first and replace only what the camera confirms needs replacing. |
| Leak Detection & Repair |
| anyone who suspects a hidden leak or has visible water damage | Leaks inside walls or under floors can cause significant damage before they surface. Early detection keeps repair costs down. |
| Water Heater Repair & ReplacementMost Popular |
| households with inconsistent hot water, a leaking tank, or a unit past its useful life | Same-day service is often available for no-hot-water calls. Work is performed by licensed plumbers who know the gas and water line connections. |
| Frozen Pipe Repair |
| homeowners dealing with a freeze event or preparing exposed pipes for a Massachusetts winter | Pipes in unheated crawl spaces, exterior walls, and uninsulated areas are most at risk. A burst pipe after a freeze is one of the more damaging plumbing emergencies we respond to. |
| Emergency Plumbing |
| urgent situations that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment | We are open every day from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Same-day service is often available for emergency calls placed within those hours. |
| Sewer & Main Line Service |
| homes with multiple slow drains, recurring backups, or suspected main line problems | Slow drains at every fixture usually point to the main line, not individual clogs. Camera inspection confirms the cause before we recommend a fix. |
| Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal |
| homeowners dealing with slow or backed-up drains | A clog that keeps coming back usually points to a deeper problem in the line. We find the cause, not just the blockage. |
| Faucet & Fixture Installation |
| remodels, fixture upgrades, or worn-out hardware that needs replacing | We handle the plumbing side of kitchen and bathroom updates cleanly, whether it is a single faucet or a full fixture swap. |
| Sump Pump & Basement Drainage |
| Middlesex County basements that take on water during snowmelt, heavy rain, or nor'easters | A sump pump that has not been checked in a while is worth a call before the next storm season. A failed pump during a nor'easter turns into a flooded basement fast. |
Call (339) 365-9282 and tell us what is going on. We will ask the right questions, give you a price, and get the job on the schedule.
(339) 365-9282