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H J Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection Corporation Since 1928, H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection has provided professional residential and commercial plumbing services in Madison, WI. Thousands of families and businesses trust us to address all their plumbing and fire protection needs. With our decades of experience in the industry, we are proud to say that we are one of the best plumbing companies you can hire in Wisconsin.

Whether you have a leaky faucet or a clogged drain, you can count on our local plumbers to fix it. We tackle different kinds of plumbing needs, including water heater repair, pipework, water softener installation, drain cleaning, and emergency plumbing.
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Henry Joseph Pertzborn and his wife Gertrude founded H. J. Pertzborn Plumbing and Heating. After serving in World War I, Henry returned to the family farm in Cross Plains, Wisconsin and started his apprenticeship as a mason with a local contractor. His strong dislike of mortar drying on his hands made him turn to the plumbing trade.
H.J. Pertzborn is a trusted South Central Wisconsin name, known for quality professional plumbers and superior work. Count on our local expert plumbers for all of your plumbing needs. We are recognized as one of the best commercial plumbing contactors in Madison, WI. Clogged dryer vents can be costly to a home or business in several ways.
First, check the temperature or relief valve (located on the side of the water heater near the top) and the drain valve (located near the bottom of the unit). If your water is leaking from one of those valves, then we can replace it and get you right back to hot water. If water is leaking from the tank itself, then you will need a new water heater.
At H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection, we provide a wide range of residential plumbing services. Whether you have to fix a leaky faucet or have a malfunctioning water heater, let our professional and experienced plumbers fix them for you! See our complete list of residential plumbing repair services and more.
Reviews (18)
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Toni Chamberlain
Jun 25, 2022
I called H. J. Pertzborn for help with an old gas fireplace since I didn't know where to start. Bruce was courteous and professional. He told me what he thought was wrong and referred me to a fireplace company. He even took a photo of the model number. While he was there, he checked the water heater, as a courtesy. He was very kind. I was impressed by how much he went out of his way to help me.
Glen Hogoboom
Jun 17, 2022
We asked Pertzborn to check our current water softener and they said we needed a new one. We had them do the new install. After a few days I didn't think the water was soft so I bought a tester and the results were that our water was very hard. I asked them to stop back over and verify that the new softener was working properly and they said there would be a service charge.

I was amazed that after just a few days they were unable to stand behind their work and products. I'll never use Pertzborn again! AS TO THE REPLY BELOW, THAT IS A COMPLETE LIE. THERE WAS NO "USER ERROR." I ASKED WHAT NUMBER SHOULD BE SET FOR THE WATER HARDNESS AND WAS GIVEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NUMBER THAN WHAT IT WAS SET AT. WOULD SETTING THE TIME FOR THE WATER SOFTENER TO RUN BE A USER ERROR? THERE WAS NO ERROR BY ME OTHER THAN CALLING PERTZBORN PLUMBING IN THE FIRST PLACE! STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!

All I asked them for was to return and verify that the water softener was working properly and they blew a gasket and were really mad! These people never heard of customer service. If you want a good plumbing company to do work for you, run as fast as you can from PERTZBORN PLUMBING! Or, buy a big headache and call them anyway. Again, I never asked this company to return and make any adjustments, I only asked them to stop back and verify it was working properly.

This woman I talked to just couldn't get it in her head what I was asking because she interrupted me every time I tried to talk. If you have ever owned a water softener you know there are settings, and those settings can be adjusted, changed, and changed back quite easily. Apparently actually using the appliance is user error in their opinion. The water in our home is soft, everywhere except the kitchen, and there has to be a reason for that.

There is no way that can have anything to do with the "settings." There is no way to go into the settings and tell it to soften everywhere but the kitchen. When you pay $1425 for a water softener you expect it to work in the entire home! But this company refuses to offer any service after the install. This is even more disappointing because I grew up and went to school with the family. Pertzborn even sponsored my youth baseball team in 1964, and I am still friends with the family. But this sort of poor service should not go without comment.
Jane M.
May 26, 2022
I was in need of a kitchen sink fixture installation so I contacted Pertzborn Plumbing. My parents had used Pertzborn for over 40 years and were very happy with them. I absolutely love my new fixture and appreciate the great service! Services: Faucet installation, Plumbing fixture installation
Steve
May 19, 2022
Pertzborn did an excellent job with my utility sink faucet! My old one started leaking really bad and I called to see if they could come out quick to help me save on my water bill. They were at my house within an hour. Thank you!
Eli Schmukler
May 16, 2022
I have used HJ Pertzborn twice in the last 4 months. They replaced both a water heater and softener while I was out of town and went out of their way to coordinate my remotely locking and unlocking doors for them. In the second instance they replaced two sump pumps. In both instances, the work was professionally done, timely, cleanup was impeccable, and the staff were very friendly. Highly recommended.
Ahmadou Ndoye
Mar 10, 2022
They showed up to my house to fix a leak in my bathroom, that took less than 5 minutes to the technician. After that, he installed a water line from my basement to the refrigerator in the first floor. The time the technician spent in my house to fix everything was approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. The technician was a very nice guy and I am satisfied with his job. However I was charged $473. Honestly I was not fairly charged and very disappointed with the pricing. I will shop around next time.
Steven R.
Feb 21, 2022
We have had Pertzborn out to clear our main sewer line before (usually has to be done every couple of years or so to be sure any roots are clear). This is the second time they have done it and Toribio and Ricardo have been out each time. They have been out promptly both times, which is amazing when water starts to back up from the basement drain and you're in a panic.

They are great and know what they're doing. They cover carpets and rugs with drop cloths to get the rooter in and out and contain anything that drips or spills. They are efficient at the task and work hard to get the drain back to normal with minimal interruption. Nobody likes plumbing emergencies but these guys are great to work with! See you guys in a couple of years.
William Robbins
Feb 19, 2022
Determined leak in upstairs shower drain, opened ceiling in dining room, replaced cracked pipes, installed new ones, shower operational now. Work completed in a timely manner, skilled craftsman went about his work smoothly, and competently. Gave guidance of job of refinishing ceiling and made recommendation of another professional to accomplish the work still to be done.
Maureen M.
Feb 13, 2022
I contacted Pertzborn to help with a couple plumbing issues. They were quick to come, were challenged to come up with a solution and said they would get back to me after doing some research. Never heard from them again. On the positive side we did not get an invoice. Also on the positive side I was able to find another plumber who fixed our issues quickly. I found it strange with a company as reputable as Pertzborn that we were simply ghosted. I suspect this is unusual for them, yet, it was our experience I wanted to share.
Patricia White
Dec 23, 2021
I had an ongoing leak from a valve I had just turned off. I called Pertzborn and requested help. They had Ryan at my door in about 20 minutes. I have used them for years, but I'm constantly impressed with how quickly they respond to urgent situations. I will continue to be their loyal customer. Service: Pipe repair
Nicole Budeau
Dec 05, 2021
I cannot say enough great things about my experience with Anthony, plumber of HJ P! He was professional, timely, patient with all my questions, and kind to educate me throughout the process of his work. I will definitely call HJP if I ever need plumbing services again! Services: Tap repair, Water fixture installation, Water fixture repair, Drain unblocking
Zach Muscato
Nov 17, 2021
Great experience with H.J. Pertzborn with the installation of a water softener. Professional, timely, and high quality service. The technician Ryan was the best. Highly recommend.
Margaret Reno
Nov 05, 2021
I have used H.J. Pertzborn for all my plumbing needs for years now and have always been pleased with their service. The work is done very professionally and I have never experienced issues with any work this company has done for me. Their staff are courteous and friendly and all of the technicians who have come to my house have been professional, friendly and enjoyable to work with. I am always pleased!
Rob Latousek
Oct 22, 2021
We have appreciated Pertzborn services for many years. They are always very professional, efficient, and careful about explaining everything that they have done, when they're done. Wonderfully dependable! Service: Toilet repair
Mary Giblin
Sep 29, 2021
We worked with Pertzborn for a fairly large project in our single family home, involving removal of existing cast iron sewer pipes under our basement slab in our older house and doing a bathroom relocation/rough-in. Bruce and his team was clear with communications, thoughtful and very skilled. We were pleased with the process from estimate through job completion and look forward to working with them again in the future.
Mike Zirkel
Sep 28, 2021
Our clog was the main pipe that goes out to the city. Roots grow into the vintage pipe seams, and they need to be "Rooted" out. Nice guy that said he was the guy that did it for us last time. Seems like we can expect to need him again in another 3 years or so. Pertzborn knows how to get it done.
Diane DiSalvo
Sep 21, 2021
We had a leaky pipe in the basement of our almost 100 year old home. Pertzborn scheduled a time, and sent a great guy out to fix our leak. Unfortunately our older home is never easy to work with, and this time was no exception. They sent out someone to fix the secondary issue, and Bruce was fantastic. He was professional, kind, and even went above and beyond to keep the noisy machine in a closed off room so as not to scare our 14 month old baby. Bruce also fixed a pesky screw on our front door on his way out, because he is awesome. I will use Pertzborn again, and I highly recommend this gem of a company. Thank you Pertzborn and Bruce for your excellence and expertise!
Sarah Quinn
Jul 28, 2021
Great and skilled technicians. I had two different service providers in to try to fix a problem with my on demand water heater with no results. I reached out to Pertzborn and the technician they sent noticed the problems right away that no one else had seen. He immediately fixed my leaking and identified a solution for intermittent hot water, which involved my gas line.

They have since completed all repairs and I am very happy with their work I also had them fix an outdoor faucet. The technicians are on time, friendly and very skilled and I am happy to have them in my home. II also appreciate the people who schedule as they seem to really try to get your work done as soon as possible and are flexible. My