Alaska · 4 covered places · 6 ZIP codes
Plumbers in Fairbanks North Star County, AK
We cover 4 cities and towns in Fairbanks North Star County, Alaska, across 6 ZIP codes, including Fairbanks, North Pole, Fort Wainwright. About 82,000 people live in those ZIP codes. Most homes date from 1980 to 1999, old enough that original water heaters, valves and drains are wearing out.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 1% |
| 1940–1959 | 8% |
| 1960–1979 | 30% |
| 1980–1999 | 38% |
| 2000 or later | 23% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
| Place | Residents in covered ZIPs | Built before 1960 |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | 48,005 | 13% |
| North Pole | 22,281 | 4% |
| Fort Wainwright | 8,545 | 1% |
| Eielson Afb | 3,200 | 2% |
What goes wrong in Fairbanks North Star County homes
Oil-heated homes
72% of occupied homes here heat with fuel oil, far above the national norm. Many of them make hot water with a tankless coil inside the boiler, which runs the boiler all summer. Plumbers often replace the coil with an indirect tank or a standalone water heater when the boiler is serviced or replaced.
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
38% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999. Polybutylene supply pipe was installed widely in US homes from about 1978 to 1995, so houses from these years are worth checking for gray plastic pipe stamped PB2110, usually visible at the water heater or under sinks. Insurers and buyers often ask about it. See polybutylene replacement.
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
30% of the housing here dates from 1960 to 1979. Original copper supply lines in those homes are now 45 to 65 years old, and cast iron drains of that age scale up inside and crack. Seized shutoff valves, pinhole leaks and recurring main-line clogs are common calls. A camera inspection shows the condition of the sewer line before anyone digs.
Long, hard winters
40% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Alaska winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common plumbing work in Fairbanks North Star County
Other covered towns in Fairbanks North Star County
- Eielson Afb (1 ZIP)
- Fairbanks (3 ZIPs)
- Fort Wainwright (1 ZIP)
- North Pole (1 ZIP)
Fairbanks North Star County plumbing FAQ
Which towns in Fairbanks North Star County do you cover?
4 places: Eielson Afb, Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, North Pole. Enter your ZIP code to confirm coverage for your street.
How old are homes in Fairbanks North Star County?
Across the covered ZIP codes, Census estimates put 10% of homes as built before 1960, 30% from 1960 to 1979, 38% from 1980 to 1999 and 23% in 2000 or later.
Who licenses plumbers in Fairbanks North Star County, AK?
Alaska's Department of Labor and Workforce Development issues plumber certificates of fitness through its Mechanical Inspection section.
Housing and heating figures are US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Fairbanks North Star County, combined across places and weighted by housing units. Some ZIP codes extend into neighboring counties.
Need a plumber in Fairbanks North Star County?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.