Need a plumber in Reading? Half the homes here were built before 1938, most of them brick rowhouses, so aging pipe, frozen lines and sewer backups are the common calls. Call Same Day Plumber any time to reach a licensed plumber.
Need a Plumber in Reading Today?
Say whether it's a rowhouse and whether the basement has a floor drain. Your call is passed to an independent plumber working in Reading. They quote the job and bill you directly, and they'll tell you when they can arrive before you commit.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Reading
3 situations account for many urgent calls in Reading. 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 backing up: stop using water. See sewer backup.
- Old pipe leaking in the basement: close the main and open a faucet to drain it.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to Reading 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 Reading
- 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 Reading Homes
Reading Area Water Authority draws from Lake Ontelaunee. Lake water flows by gravity through a tunnel and conduit to the Maidencreek Filter Plant, which can treat 40 million gallons a day.
The authority says its inventory has found very few lead service lines so far, and it is asking customers to help finish the inventory. The median Reading home was built in 1938.
Plumbing in a Reading Rowhouse
- The main shutoff is usually at the front basement wall.
- Kitchens in rear additions have the most exposed pipes; insulate them.
- A cast iron stack serves every floor; a crack shows as a stain down the wall.
- Have the lateral checked with a sewer camera inspection before buying.
Help Finish the Service Line Inventory
The water authority is still identifying what every service line is made of and asks customers to check theirs. Look where the line enters the basement: copper is reddish, galvanized is gray and threaded, lead is dull and soft. Report what you find through the authority's inventory survey. A plumber can confirm the material if you are unsure.
Old Pipe
Rowhouses can have galvanized supply lines and cast iron stacks a century old.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in Reading
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in Reading.
- Old pipe. Repairs in century-old houses tend to extend.
- Rowhouse access. Shared walls and narrow lots add time.
- 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 Reading
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading
FAQs About Plumbers in Reading
Where does Reading get its water?
From Lake Ontelaunee, treated at the Reading Area Water Authority's Maidencreek Filter Plant.
How quickly can I get a plumber in Reading?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in Reading 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 Reading, PA
If you have old pipe, frozen pipes or another plumbing problem in Reading, 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.