Need a plumber in Erie? Half of Erie's homes were built before 1949, and lake-effect winters freeze pipes hard, so old pipe, frozen lines and basement backups are the common calls. Call Same Day Plumber any time to reach a licensed plumber in Erie.
Need a Plumber in Erie Today?
When you call, say roughly when the house was built and whether it has a basement. You'll be connected to an independent plumbing company covering Erie, including Downtown, Bayfront, East Bayfront and Westside. Ask for the arrival window and any service fee before they come out.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Erie
3 situations account for many urgent calls in Erie. Each has a first step to take while you wait.
- Frozen or burst pipe: close the main in the basement and open a faucet. See frozen pipes.
- Sewage coming up the floor drain: stop using water. See sewer backup.
- No water in deep cold: the line may be frozen. Check with neighbors, then call.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to Erie the same day, including nights and weekends. If you smell gas, leave the building first and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
24/7 Plumbing Services in Erie
- Emergency PlumbingBurst pipes, flooding, sewage backups and loss of water, any hour.
- Drain CleaningClogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main sewer lines.
- Water Heater Repair & ReplacementNo hot water, leaking tanks, tank and tankless repair or replacement.
- Leak Detection & RepairHidden, slab and pipe leaks found and fixed before they cause damage.
- Sewer Line RepairCamera inspection, sewer repair and trenchless replacement.
- Pipe Repair & RepipingBurst, frozen and corroded pipes repaired or replaced.
- Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking and broken toilets repaired or replaced.
- Faucet & Fixture RepairFaucets, garbage disposals and shower valves.
- Sump Pump RepairSump pump repair, replacement and battery backups.
- Gas Line RepairGas leak repair and appliance hookups by licensed plumbers.
- Water Softeners & FiltrationWater softeners, whole-house filtration and well pumps.
- Commercial Plumbing & BackflowCommercial plumbing service and backflow testing.
Common Plumbing Problems in Erie Homes
Erie Water Works draws and treats water from Lake Erie. Its raw water analysis lists total hardness of about 129 ppm, roughly 7.5 grains per gallon.
The median Erie home was built in 1949, among the oldest housing stock we cover.
Lake-Effect Winter in an Old Erie House
- Seal drafts where pipes run near outside walls and porches.
- Let a faucet drip during subzero stretches.
- Keep the basement heated; that's where the main and water heater usually are.
- If the house will be empty, shut off and drain the water.
- If a pipe freezes, open its faucet and close the main shutoff before it thaws. See frozen pipes.
Old Sewer Laterals
Most Erie houses from before 1950 have a clay or cast iron sewer lateral, and roots get in at the joints. If the basement floor drain backs up more than once, a sewer camera inspection shows whether the line is cracked or full of roots before you choose cleaning or replacement.
Old Pipe
Houses from before the 1950s can have galvanized supply lines, cast iron stacks and clay sewer laterals.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in Erie
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in Erie.
- Old pipe. Repairs on galvanized and cast iron tend to extend.
- Thawing. Frozen lines in walls or under floors take time to reach.
- Finding the problem. Leak locating and camera inspections are separate steps, but they keep the repair itself small.
- Time of day. Many companies charge an after-hours, weekend or holiday fee.
- Ask for the arrival fee before the plumber heads out, and for the repair price in writing before work starts.
How to Find a Licensed Plumber in Erie
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever Erie plumber you end up hiring.
Check the Pennsylvania License
Pennsylvania does not license plumbers statewide. Philadelphia licenses master plumbers through its Department of Licenses and Inspections, the Allegheny County Health Department licenses plumbers in Pittsburgh, and Allentown licenses its own through a city board. Ask for the local license number before work starts. That applies to any plumbing work at your Erie home.
Confirm Who Pulls the Permit
For work that needs a permit, the plumber should pull it.
What to Ask on the Phone
- What is the arrival window?
- Is there a service, trip or after-hours fee?
- For an emergency, will you stop the damage first and quote the permanent repair before starting it?
- What is your license number?
Plumbers in Cities Near Erie
FAQs About Plumbers in Erie
Where does Erie get its water?
From Lake Erie, treated by Erie Water Works. Its raw water analysis lists hardness of about 129 ppm.
How quickly can I get a plumber in Erie?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in Erie you are. The plumber gives you an arrival window when you call. During a citywide event such as a hard freeze or major storm, waits are longer, so shut off the water and limit the damage while you wait.
Find a Same-Day Plumber in Erie, PA
If you have old pipe, frozen pipes or another plumbing problem in Erie, call now. You'll be connected to a licensed plumber who works in your area, and you'll know the arrival window and any fee before they head out.