Philadelphia County · Philadelphia, PA
Plumbers in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. About 1.6 million people live in the 87 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 740,000 homes, 8% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built before 1940 (40%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 87 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Philadelphia
19019, 19092, 19093, 19099, 19101, 19102, 19103, 19104, 19105, 19106, 19107, 19108, 19109, 19110, 19111, 19112, 19113, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19118, 19119, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19125, 19126, 19127, 19128, 19129, 19130, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19136, 19137, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19149, 19150, 19151, 19152, 19153, 19154, 19155, 19160, 19161, 19162, 19170, 19171, 19172, 19173, 19175, 19176, 19177, 19178, 19179, 19181, 19182, 19183, 19184, 19185, 19187, 19188, 19190, 19191, 19192, 19193, 19194, 19195, 19196, 19197, 19244, 19255
Philadelphia homes and their plumbing
Here is how Philadelphia's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 40%, 1940–1959 26%, 1960–1979 19%, 1980–1999 7%, 2000 or later 9%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 40% |
| 1940–1959 | 26% |
| 1960–1979 | 19% |
| 1980–1999 | 7% |
| 2000 or later | 9% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 1,582,836
- Housing units
- 739,774
- Single-family detached
- 8%
- Owner-occupied
- 52%
- Heated with utility gas
- 70%
- Heated with electricity
- 24%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 3%
What goes wrong in Philadelphia homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
66% of homes in Philadelphia's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 40% of them before 1940. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 8% of homes here are single-family detached houses. In attached buildings a leak or clog often involves a shared stack or a neighbor's unit, so it's worth knowing which lines are yours and which belong to the building or HOA, and where your unit's own shutoff is.
Natural gas in most homes
70% of occupied homes here heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters, ranges and dryers are common. That means gas line extensions for new appliances, flexible connector replacements and venting checks when a water heater is swapped. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility from outside. See gas line repair.
Long, hard winters
84% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Pennsylvania winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Philadelphia
- Whole-House Repiping
- Drain Cleaning
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Philadelphia: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Philadelphia at a glance
- County
- Philadelphia County
- ZIP codes
- 19019, 19092, 19093, 19099, 19101, 19102, 19103, 19104, 19105, 19106, 19107, 19108, 19109, 19110, 19111, 19112, 19113, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19118, 19119, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19125, 19126, 19127, 19128, 19129, 19130, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19136, 19137, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19149, 19150, 19151, 19152, 19153, 19154, 19155, 19160, 19161, 19162, 19170, 19171, 19172, 19173, 19175, 19176, 19177, 19178, 19179, 19181, 19182, 19183, 19184, 19185, 19187, 19188, 19190, 19191, 19192, 19193, 19194, 19195, 19196, 19197, 19244, 19255
Philadelphia plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Philadelphia?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Philadelphia, Census estimates put 66% of homes as built before 1960, 19% from 1960 to 1979, 7% from 1980 to 1999 and 9% in 2000 or later. The largest group is before 1940 (40%).
Who licenses plumbers in Philadelphia, PA?
Pennsylvania has no statewide plumbing license; Philadelphia, Allegheny County and other municipalities license plumbers, and home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General.
Are water heaters in Philadelphia usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 70% of homes heating with utility gas, 24% with electricity, 3% with fuel oil. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
Guides for Philadelphia homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Cheltenham (3 mi), Bala Cynwyd (5 mi), Elkins Park (5 mi), Jenkintown (6 mi), Merion Station (6 mi), Wyncote (6 mi), Glenside (7 mi), Narberth (7 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Philadelphia, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Philadelphia?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.