Duluth’s plumbing and heating company since 1905
The Carlson story starts in West Duluth. In 1905, Walter Carlson and his brothers founded Carlson Bros. Plumbing and Heating there, during the construction boom that built much of the city. Four generations later, Carlson Duluth Company still serves Duluth homes and businesses from our shop at 4415 Venture Ave, led by Jeremy Carlson, a licensed Master Plumber.
Older homes, older systems
Duluth has a large stock of older houses, and their mechanical systems show it. Many still heat with a boiler and radiators, have original cast iron or clay sewer lines, and may even have lead in the water service. Fifty-five percent of the city’s sewer system is more than 50 years old, and most homes built before 1970 were designed with footing or roof drains that send rainwater into the sanitary sewer.
That is why the City of Duluth runs its inflow and infiltration (I&I) program, which each year designates an area for mandatory inspection and footing drain disconnection. We help homeowners with the work the program calls for, from sump pump installation to trenchless lining or replacement of a failing service line.
Winters and the lake
Long, cold winters make heating the most important system in a Duluth home. Boilers and furnaces run for months with few breaks, and a failure during a cold snap can freeze pipes quickly. Annual maintenance before the heating season is the simplest protection. Summers off Lake Superior are short but can turn humid, which is when a Lennox air conditioner or a ductless system earns its place.
Apartments, condos and commercial buildings
Beyond single-family homes, we work on apartment buildings, condos and commercial properties, from offices and restaurants to healthcare spaces. Our commercial and multifamily portfolio includes South Pier Shores Condos, Lake Superior View Condos, Interim Healthcare and the Swanson Youngdale Building. For property managers, that means one contractor who can handle a boiler plant, a building full of water heaters and a tenant’s clogged drain.
Services for Duluth
- Boiler repair, tune-ups and Weil-McLain or Knight replacements
- Furnace repair and Lennox furnace installation
- Sewer line lining and replacement, including I&I program work
- Rinnai tankless water heaters
- Mitsubishi Electric ductless mini-splits for homes without ductwork
- Residential and commercial plumbing, including 24/7 emergencies
Part of the community
Our Duluth work includes commercial projects such as Bell Bank on Arrowhead Road, and our crew volunteered to install a replacement furnace and new air conditioning for the Lincoln Park Children and Family Collaborative. Call (218) 727-0063 for plumbing, heating or cooling anywhere in Duluth, and ask for a free estimate.