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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Pittsburgh?

Per section 106 (AC-106.5.8) of the Allegheny County Plumbing Code Article XV, no one other than the licensed master plumber, journeyman plumber, and apprentice plumber can offer plumbing services in Pittsburgh. It is important to note that you can only hire plumbers who have been duly licensed in Pittsburgh. Otherwise, by section 106 (AC-108.4.1), you will be violating the Plumbing Code, which makes you liable to pay a fine of not less than $10 and not more than $300 or a jail term of 10 to 30 days.

The Allegheny County Department of Health issues plumbing licenses to plumbers who wish to operate in Pittsburgh. All apprentice plumber prospects must register with the Allegheny County Department of Health within 30 days of starting their apprenticeship training. The requirements for journeyman plumber applicants include a minimum of four years experience or 8000 work hours.

Also, they must have completed 756 hours of plumbing training at an accredited school within six years of starting apprenticeship training. Lastly, they must pass the requisite examination. In contrast, master plumber licenses are issued to journeyman plumbers with two years of experience and who have successfully passed the requisite examination as determined by the Department of Health.

To verify the licensing status of your intended plumber in Pittsburgh, you can use the Search Registered Master Plumbers tool provided and maintained by the Allegheny County Department of Health.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Pittsburgh?

When hiring plumbers in the city, it is advisable to get multiple estimates from various plumbers to enable you to compare prices before picking the most suitable estimate for your budget. The cost of service for plumbers varies, depending on factors like level of expertise and location of your neighborhood.

A plumber in Pittsburgh earns an annual average wage of $65,320. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Pittsburgh compared with plumbers in other parts of Pennsylvania and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Pittsburgh Building Code for Plumbing?

Hiring duly licensed plumbers in Pittsburgh who are very knowledgeable about the Plumbing Code of the Allegheny County Department of Health guarantees that you do not violate the set regulations in the code. The plumbing code applies to the erection, installation, repairs, replacement, and maintenance of plumbing systems in Pittsburgh. This code is a set of regulatory standards that protects residents of Pittsburgh from the hazards of inadequate and unsanitary plumbing.

Even though the plumbers you hire may be well-versed with the plumbing code provisions, it is advisable to stay updated about the city's requirements for plumbing services for your various projects. You can contact the Allegheny County Department of Health at (412) 578-8036 for more information regarding the city's plumbing system.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Pittsburgh Code?

To commence work on any plumbing project in Pittsburgh, professionals must apply for the requisite plumbing permits. Failure to apply for plumbing permits before commencing work on your projects may attract fines and penalties. However, section 106 (AC-106.2) of the plumbing code provides that certain types of plumbing work can be done without plumbing permits. They include:

• Repairs or replacement of faucets or valves and the clearance of stoppage.
• Installation of equipment that is not plumbing but may require water and waste connections, such as heating, cooling, refrigeration, fire sprinkler systems, and industrial piping.
• Installation of public facilities like drainage systems within public or private premises that convey sewage or other wastes to a legal disposal point. However, these must not include the mains of public water.

The project owner or the hired master plumber must submit a Pittsburgh plumbing permit plan to the Allegheny Health Department before starting plumbing work in their projects. The plan will feature the applicant's name, except where the permit is for an existing single-dwelling home or worksite. The submitted plumbing permit plan will also indicate the fixtures to be installed or altered and provide information about the water service and building sewers. The application must also feature a drawing showing the location of the projects, connections, and types of materials to be used when work starts.

Once the Allegheny County Department of Health approves the plan and the permit is issued, the necessary plumbing work can commence. The Alleghany County Department of Health will usually inspect your projects to see the work progress on the plumbing systems. A final inspection is conducted by the Department to complete the plumbing permits process, and the date scheduled for this inspection will be communicated to you by the Department.

You are required to pay the applicable fees when completing an application for a plumbing permit plan. You can submit your plumbing permit plan on the online platform maintained by the Alleghany County Department of Health. Alternatively, you can submit your plumbing permit plan in person at:

You can direct your queries regarding the requirements relevant to Pittsburgh plumbing permit applications to the Plumbing Office at Allegheny County Department of Health at (412) 578-8036.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers operating in Pittsburgh offer different services ranging from alteration and modification to repairs or replacement of faulty faucets or valves in new and existing buildings. However, it is important to note that the level of expertise among these plumbers differs. Therefore, when hiring any plumber for your projects, you must ensure that the plumber has the required skills to handle the plumbing project specifications. For instance, a journeyman plumber cannot carry out the plumbing work of a master's plumber, like installing the entire plumbing system in a building.

Some of the common cost estimates for plumbing services in Pittsburgh include:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Pittsburgh?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks are estimated to cause water loss of over one trillion gallons of water annually. Plumbing issues like a faulty faucet or leaking toilet should be attended to as soon as possible. Also, when you consider how much residents of Pittsburgh spend on water on average, which is about $76 per month for 3,000 gallons of water for water and wastewater conveyance, you will want to plug that leak on time. Ignoring water leaks may lead to serious financial losses and further damage to the plumbing equipment, like corroding pipes.

Sometimes, hiring just about any plumber to fix the plumbing issues in your kitchen or toilet may seem like a good idea. However, it is advisable to do your due diligence before hiring a plumber to ensure that you do not end up with unsatisfactory plumbing work. Usually, the best fit for any plumbing issue in Pittsburgh are plumbers who have been duly licensed by the Allegheny County Department of Health.

You can use the Search Registered Master Plumbers portal provided and maintained by the Allegheny County Department of Health to find licensed plumbers in Pittsburgh. You can also use third-party websites like Better Business Bureau to find qualified Pittsburgh plumbers near you.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Pittsburgh?

The Plumbing Code does not have any provision that mandates licensed plumbers in Pittsburgh to possess a liability insurance policy while practicing in the city. However, it is advisable for you to hire master plumbers with an insurance policy that will provide general liability coverage for any injury that happens on the job.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics published in 2018, falls, slips, and trips accounted for 26% of all workplace fatalities in the Pittsburgh area. Note that it is mandatory under Pennsylvania law for master plumbers in Pittsburgh to purchase workers' compensation coverage for their employees. Failure to do this can lead to possible civil and criminal actions against the erring plumbers.

Hiring an insured plumber gives you peace of mind and relieves the financial burden of paying out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a loss or injury during your project. While hiring a plumber, you should always confirm that they have an active insurance policy.