Luzerne County · Wilkes Barre, PA
Plumbers in Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes Barre is in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. About 42,000 people live in the 2 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 20,000 homes, 55% 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
- 2 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Wilkes Barre
18702, 18710
Wilkes Barre homes and their plumbing
Here is how Wilkes Barre's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 40%, 1940–1959 17%, 1960–1979 23%, 1980–1999 14%, 2000 or later 6%. 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. Neighboring areas such as Scranton are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 40% |
| 1940–1959 | 17% |
| 1960–1979 | 23% |
| 1980–1999 | 14% |
| 2000 or later | 6% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 42,120
- Housing units
- 19,738
- Single-family detached
- 55%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Heated with utility gas
- 66%
- Heated with electricity
- 21%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 8%
- Heated with propane
- 4%
What goes wrong in Wilkes Barre homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
57% of homes in Wilkes Barre'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.
Natural gas in most homes
66% 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
79% 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 Wilkes Barre
- Whole-House Repiping
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair in Wilkes Barre, PA
Also available in Wilkes Barre: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Wilkes Barre at a glance
- County
- Luzerne County
- Nearest city pages
- Scranton
- ZIP codes
- 18702, 18710
Wilkes Barre plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Wilkes Barre?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Wilkes Barre, Census estimates put 57% of homes as built before 1960, 23% from 1960 to 1979, 14% from 1980 to 1999 and 6% in 2000 or later. The largest group is before 1940 (40%).
Who licenses plumbers in Wilkes Barre, 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 Wilkes Barre usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 66% of homes heating with utility gas, 21% with electricity, 8% with fuel oil and 4% with propane. 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 Wilkes Barre homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Georgetown (1 mi), Kingston (1 mi), Plymouth (4 mi), Shavertown (6 mi), Pittston (7 mi), Mountain Top (8 mi), Old Forge (11 mi), Taylor (13 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 Wilkes Barre, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Wilkes Barre?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.