Plumbing questions and answers for Pennsylvania homeowners
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
Does a plumber need a license in Pennsylvania?
Not from the state. The Department of Labor and Industry lists no state plumbing license, and says plumbing licenses, where they exist, are set by individual municipalities. Philadelphia requires a city trade license for plumbers; in the suburbs it depends on the township or borough. The Pennsylvania rules guide explains who licenses whom.
Does a plumber have to register with the Attorney General?
Usually. The Attorney General's office says master plumbers who do repairs, replacements or installations on private homes are covered by the home improvement law and must register. The exemptions are for small contractors doing less than $5,000 of such work a year and very large retailers.
Can I cancel a plumbing contract after I sign it?
For a home improvement contract, yes, within three business days. The Attorney General's office says the state Supreme Court confirmed you can cancel by phone, in writing or in person, as long as the contractor actually gets the message. Genuine emergency work under the consumer protection law is treated differently.
Should I pay a plumber everything up front?
No. The Federal Trade Commission advises against paying the full amount up front and says never to make the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied. For larger jobs, the Attorney General's office says a down payment of about one-third is generally appropriate.
How to choose a plumber lists the checks to make before hiring.
What does a plumber charge per hour?
Angi gives $45 to $200 an hour and puts the average plumbing repair at $341, with most homeowners paying $182 to $501. Many plumbers also charge a service call fee just for the visit. What plumbers cost sets the surveys side by side.
Why was I charged before any work was done?
That was likely the service call fee. Angi says nearly all plumbers charge one to cover the visit and estimate.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?
Often, yes. Pennsylvania's construction code requires a permit before you install or replace a plumbing system it regulates, and your municipality decides how that applies. Philadelphia's fee table includes a separate water heater permit, $31 for a one- or two-family home. Ask your plumber to pull it.
Do I need a permit to fix a leak or clear a drain?
In Philadelphia, no. The city says stopping leaks, clearing stoppages and same-material repairs to faucets and valves need no plumbing permit. Elsewhere, ask the local code office.
What temperature should a water heater be set to?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the water heater can be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent burns, and that anti-scald devices for faucets and shower heads can also help.
When should a water heater be replaced?
ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement if you suspect the heater is more than 10 years old, before it fails. Signs it lists include visible corrosion, leaks, rusty water, running out of hot water and rumbling noises.
How can you tell whether your service line is lead?
Ask your water utility first. The EPA says lead pipes are more likely in older cities and homes built before 1986, and that if your utility has no record, a licensed plumber may be able to help. Testing is the only sure way to know whether lead is in your water.
Who pays to fix the water pipe under my sidewalk in Philadelphia?
You do. The city says property owners are responsible for the pipes that carry water from the city's mains into the home, including pipes beneath the sidewalk or roadway. The Water Department offers a zero-interest loan in some cases.
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the water. The Philadelphia Water Department says to use the house-side valve near your water meter, and that a licensed plumber must make the repair. Find that valve before you need it.
How can you tell whether there is a hidden leak?
Use the meter. The EPA's WaterSense program says to read it before and after a two-hour period with no water use; if it moves at all, you probably have a leak. A few drops of food coloring in a toilet tank that show up in the bowl within 10 minutes mean the toilet leaks.
How often should a septic tank be pumped?
The EPA says household tanks are typically pumped every three to five years, and that the average system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic professional.
Do I need a water softener?
Not for health reasons. Penn State Extension says hardness minerals have no adverse health effects, that softening is a matter of personal preference, not necessity, and that hard water below 7.0 grains per gallon will probably not cause major scaling. It recommends an independent lab test before you buy.
Plumbers serving the region are on the plumbers directory page.
Sources
- Contractor Licensing, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
- Frequently Asked Questions: Home Improvement Contractor Registration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- PA Supreme Court Upholds Consumer Right-to-Cancel Home Improvement Contracts Within Three Days Regardless of Medium, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Find a licensed contractor and contractor information, City of Philadelphia
- Get a Plumbing Permit, City of Philadelphia
- Follow these tips to get ready for pipe repairs, City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue
- How Much Does Plumbing Repair Cost? [2026 Data], Angi
- Childproofing Your Home, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- When Should You Replace Your Water Heater?, ENERGY STAR
- Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- All About Frozen Pipes, Philadelphia Water Department
- Fix a Leak Week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (WaterSense)
- How to Care for Your Septic System, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Water Softening, Penn State Extension
- How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, Federal Trade Commission