Looking for a plumber in Philadelphia? In a rowhome built around 1949, the median here, a leak or slow drain usually traces back to original cast iron drains or galvanized supply lines. Property owners also own their water service line and sewer lateral in Philadelphia. Call Same Day Plumber to reach a licensed Philadelphia plumber.
Need a Plumber in Philadelphia Today?
When you call, say whether you're in a rowhome and where the water is showing, since a leak often crosses a shared wall. The plumber who answers works in Philadelphia, including Center City, Northern Liberties, Manayunk and Port Richmond, and is independent of Same Day Plumber. Get the arrival window and any after-hours fee on the phone.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Philadelphia
When something goes wrong fast in a Philadelphia home, it's usually one of these. Here's what to do first.
- Burst or frozen pipe: close the main valve, usually in the basement at the front of the house, and open a faucet. See burst pipe.
- Sewage backing up into the basement: stop using water. In a rowhome it may be your sewer lateral, which you own. See sewer backup.
- Water leaking from a wall or ceiling: old cast iron stacks and galvanized lines can fail suddenly. Shut the main and call.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
- 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 Philadelphia Homes
Philadelphia's homes are among the oldest of any large U.S. city. The median home was built in 1949, and the city's rowhomes often still have original cast iron drains, galvanized supply lines and aging sewer laterals. In Philadelphia, property owners are responsible for the water service line and sewer lateral that serve their home.
Freezing winters add burst pipe risk, especially in older rowhomes with pipes along exterior walls. Plumbing work in the city must be overseen by a licensed master plumber, and permits are issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Rowhome Plumbing: What to Check First
- The water service line and sewer lateral, which property owners are responsible for in Philadelphia.
- Cast iron drain stacks in the back of the house, which corrode from the inside.
- Galvanized supply lines, the usual cause of low water pressure on upper floors.
- Pipes along exterior walls and in unheated basements, which freeze in cold snaps.
Aging Service Lines and Laterals
Old water service lines and sewer laterals in rowhome blocks crack, leak and clog with roots. Homeowners are responsible for repairing them.
Cast Iron Drain Stacks
Decades-old cast iron drains corrode from the inside, causing slow drains, leaks and sewer odors.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in Philadelphia
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in Philadelphia.
- Who owns the pipe. Property owners pay for repairs to their own water service line and sewer lateral.
- Rowhome access. Shared walls and narrow basements can make reaching and replacing old stacks slower.
- 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.
- Permits. When a job needs one, it comes from Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), and the plumber usually pulls it.
- 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 Philadelphia
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia home.
When a Philadelphia Job Needs an L&I Permit
Most plumbing installations and alterations need a permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, overseen by a licensed master plumber. Minor repairs such as replacing faucets or valves with like parts, and removing and resetting a toilet without changing pipes, are exempt. Larger jobs, including sewer line repair and repiping, will need one.
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 Philadelphia
- Plumbers in Camden, NJ
- Plumbers in Cherry Hill, NJ
- Plumbers in Bensalem, PA
- Plumbers in Norristown, PA
- Plumbers in Mount Laurel, NJ
- Plumbers in Chester, PA
- Plumbers in Levittown, PA
- Plumbers in Lansdale, PA
- Plumbers in Sicklerville, NJ
- Plumbers in Phoenixville, PA
- Plumbers in Trenton, NJ
- Plumbers in West Chester, PA
- Plumbers in Wilmington, DE
- Plumbers in Allentown, PA
- All Pennsylvania locations
FAQs About Plumbers in Philadelphia
Is Philadelphia water hard?
It's moderately hard. The Philadelphia Water Department says tap water is typically 100 to 150 parts per million, about 6 to 9 grains per gallon, and it varies by treatment plant.
Who is responsible for my water service line in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, property owners are responsible for the water service line and the sewer lateral serving their property. A licensed plumber can repair or replace them.
How quickly can I get a plumber in Philadelphia?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA
If you have aging service lines and laterals, cast iron drain stacks or another plumbing problem in Philadelphia, 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.