At Cotton Home Repairs, we believe in transparency and safety. A common misconception is that a \"handyman\" can handle anything involving a pipe or a fixture.

However, in the State of Wisconsin and the City of Sheboygan, the law is very clear: if a task involves breaking into or connecting to a water supply or drain line, it requires a Licensed Plumber. While Wisconsin law allows a homeowner to perform plumbing work on their own primary residence (with a permit), that same exemption does NOT apply to a handyman or any other unlicensed person hired by the homeowner.

What Defines \"Plumbing Work\"?

It isn't just about big projects like remodeling a bathroom. According to the Wisconsin Uniform Plumbing Code and local enforcement, the following tasks are legally restricted to licensed plumbers:

\nFixture Replacement: You cannot legally hire an unlicensed individual to replace toilets, sinks, faucets, or garbage disposals.
\nAppliance Installation: Installing a new water heater, dishwasher or a refrigerator with a water line requires a licensed plumber because it involves connecting to the home's water supply and/or drainage system.
\nPipe Repairs: Replacing a leaking fitting or a section of water, waste, or vent piping requires a license; an unlicensed person may only apply a \"temporary clamp\" to a leak.
\nComponent Swaps: Replacing items like a toilet flush valve, a shutoff valve, or a hose bib, also falls under the licensed plumber requirement.

What We CAN Do for You

To keep your home compliant, Cotton Home Repairs strictly follows Wis. Stat. § 145.06(4)(d) and Sheboygan Municipal Code 12-679. We limit our direct plumbing services to \"minor repairs\" that do not require breaking the line:

Replacing faucet cartridges, washers, or stems.
Clearing simple clogs/stoppages.
Replacing faucet handles or spray heads.

Our Seamless Partnership Solution

You don't have to call around to multiple companies. If your project includes tasks we cannot legally perform—like installing a new sink fixture or replacing a toilet—we partner with a local licensed plumbing company.

By choosing us, you get a \"one-stop-shop\" experience where:

\nWe coordinate the schedule: You only deal with one point of contact.
\nThe work is legal: All line-breaking work is performed by a licensed Master Plumber.
\nYour insurance is protected: Because the work is performed by a licensed professional, your home insurance remains valid. If an unlicensed \"handyman\" performs this work and a leak occurs, insurance companies may deny the claim because the work was performed illegally.

Protect Your Home

Hiring someone \"under the table\" for a dishwasher or toilet installation might save a few dollars today, but it risks a massive financial headache tomorrow if a leak occurs. We choose to do things the right way to protect your biggest investment—your home.

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Plumbing & Appliances: Knowing the "Line in the Sand"

A Sheboygan Homeowner’s Guide to Wisconsin Plumbing Code

Ready to get started?

Let us help!