Allentown PA Allentown, PA and the Lehigh Valley
Allentown Plumbers for Burst Pipes, Leaks and Clogged Drains
Water on the floor at 2 a.m. is not a problem to schedule for Monday. Call the dispatch line at any hour and describe what you see. A licensed and insured plumber serving your area takes the job from there, and the dispatcher confirms what is available for your address while you are on the phone.
- Licensed and insured plumbers
- Same-day service when available
- 24/7 emergency dispatch
When an Allentown plumbing problem cannot wait
A plumbing emergency is any leak, backup or failure that is damaging the house right now and cannot be stopped by closing a valve. Water coming through a ceiling, sewage rising in a floor drain, a pipe that split overnight and a water heater tank leaking onto the basement floor all qualify. A dripping faucet usually does not.
The dispatch line is answered around the clock, including nights, weekends and holidays. You describe the problem, the dispatcher asks for the address, and you hear what is available for that address at that moment. Nothing is promised that the line cannot deliver, and an urgent plumbing response starts with that first call.
Three things to do while you wait
- Close the main water valve. It sits where the water line enters the house, often on a basement front wall near the meter. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- Keep out of standing water near outlets. If the panel is in a wet area, do not go to it. Tell the dispatcher instead.
- Protect what you can and take photos. Move rugs and boxes off the wet area, then photograph the damage before anything is cleaned up.
Common plumbing emergencies we dispatch for
The most frequent plumbing emergencies fall into six patterns. The table shows what each looks like, the safest first move, and where the full explanation lives. The first move only limits damage. A plumber still has to find and fix the cause.
| What you see | Do this first | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe burst or frozen | Close the main valve, open a faucet below the break to drain the line | pipe repair |
| Water suddenly off in the house | Check the main valve and meter, then ask a neighbor if their water is on | water line replacement |
| Sewage or gray water coming up a drain | Stop running water in the house, keep children and pets away | sewer line repair |
| Water heater tank leaking | Close its cold supply valve and switch off gas or power to the unit | water heater repair |
| Wet ceiling, wall or floor with no known source | Close the main valve and note whether the meter still moves | leak detection |
| Standing water after a flood or a failed fixture | Switch off the main valve, photograph the room, start drying within a day | water damage removal |
Flooding can start from any plumbing source, not only a pipe. In early September 2021 the remnants of Hurricane Ida drove water into cellars across the Lehigh Valley and flooded Jordan Creek in Whitehall (Morning Call, reported September 2021). Basement water from rain and water from a failed supply line look alike at first, so tell the dispatcher which one you think it is.
Water is still running? Call now
Dispatch is open now. Describe the leak, give the address and close the main valve if you can reach it.
Burst, leaking and frozen pipes
When a pipe lets go, the first hour decides how much of the house gets wet. Once the water is off, the plumber looks for the break, shuts off only the section that failed, and cuts out the damaged run. Replacement pipe is joined to sound pipe on both sides. The line is then pressure tested before the walls are closed.
Frozen pipes behave differently. Lehigh Valley winters bring long stretches of freezing nights, and the lines most at risk run along exterior walls, through crawlspaces and across unheated garages. A pipe can be frozen and still hold water. The danger is the thaw, when frozen pipes leading to leaks show a hidden split. If a faucet drips or a wall feels cold and damp, leave the main valve closed and call.
A single burst can also point to a larger problem. If the same run has several worn joints or corroded sections, the plumber may suggest replacing more than the break. That decision belongs to you, and it is easier to make with the failed pipe in your hand. The full repair and replacement process is on the repiping and pipe repair page.
Same-day plumbing and after-hours calls
Same-day service is offered when it is available. Whether a plumber can reach you today depends on the hour you call, the kind of problem and who is on call in your part of the valley. The dispatcher decides that on the call, not afterward, so you know where you stand before you hang up.
Calls that come in on evenings, weekends and holidays go through the same line as daytime calls. There is no separate after-hours number to hunt for. If you are searching for a plumber open now, the dispatch line is the answer.
One call can cover more than one problem, such as a leaking water heater with a gas smell nearby. Say so at the start, because gas comes first and the dispatcher sets the order of work.
What the dispatcher asks
- The street address and the nearest cross street
- What you see, hear or smell, and where in the house
- Whether the main valve is closed and whether that stopped the water
- Whether anyone has noticed a gas smell or a tripped breaker
Have those answers ready and the call is shorter. If the problem is a slow leak with no water on the floor, say so. It helps the dispatcher sort a true emergency from a visit that can wait for the next opening.
What Allentown homes mean for a plumbing call
Three local facts change how an urgent job goes in this city. Each one is sourced below, and each changes something you can do.
Lead service lines are being tracked and replaced
Lehigh County Authority runs the Allentown water system. Its March 2024 board documents counted 4,700 public-side lead service lines and 7,700 private-side lead lines in the Allentown Division, with thousands more of unknown material. The same documents say homes built before 1960 are more likely to have one. If a plumber opens the floor near your water main, ask what the service line is made of and write it down.
Source: Lehigh County Authority, lead program documents, board meeting of March 25, 2024. Read the board document.
Plumbing permits go through a licensed master plumber
The City of Allentown licenses journeyman and master plumbers, and under its code the plumbing permit application is made by a licensed master plumber. Work done without a permit draws an added fine of $100 per permit. Before a pipe replacement or a water heater swap, ask who is applying for the permit.
Source: City of Allentown, Bureau of Building Standards and Safety, plumbing licensing and residential permit requirements (allentownpa.gov), checked November 6, 2026.
Digging for a water or sewer line starts with a call to 811
Pennsylvania law requires a call to 811 at least three business days before excavation. That includes a homeowner hiring out a service line repair. Ask the plumber to confirm the ticket was placed before the trench opens.
Source: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, PA One Call. PUC page on 811.
Not sure how urgent it is? Call and ask
Describe what you see. The dispatcher will tell you whether to close a valve and wait, or send someone as soon as one is available.
Plumbing services across Allentown
Every job starts on the same dispatch line. These pages explain each service in detail, including signs to watch for and questions worth asking.
Leak Detection and Repair
Finds hidden leaks behind walls and under floors before they stain or rot.
Slab leak page
Locates leaks in lines under a concrete slab and explains repair options.
Drain Cleaning and Clogs
Clears slow and blocked drains in sinks, tubs, showers and main lines.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
Inspects the line to the street and repairs or replaces a failed section.
Tank repair page
Diagnoses no hot water, leaks, strange noises and pilot trouble.
Replacement tank page
Swaps an old tank for a new one sized to the household.
Tankless page
Installs and services on-demand units, including venting and gas supply.
Repiping and Pipe Repair
Replaces failing supply pipe and fixes burst or pinhole sections.
Water Line Repair and Replacement
Repairs or replaces the line between the street and the house.
Gas line page
Runs and repairs gas piping for ranges, dryers, heaters and grills.
Faucet, Toilet and Fixture Repair
Fixes running toilets, dripping faucets and failing shutoff valves.
Disposal repair page
Repairs jams and leaks, or installs a replacement unit.
Water Damage Restoration
Removes standing water and dries the structure. Smoke and fire work is a different trade.
Softener page
Sets up softeners and filters and services the ones already installed.
Commercial Plumbing
Handles plumbing at shops, restaurants and multifamily buildings.
Where the dispatch line reaches
The dispatch network covers Allentown and the towns around it in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Each town below has its own page with local detail.
- Whitehall Township plumbing
about 5.0 miles from Allentown - Whitehall plumbing
about 5.0 miles from Allentown - Bethlehem plumbing
about 6.0 miles from Allentown - Northampton plumbing
about 6.3 miles from Allentown - Zionsville, PA
about 7.9 miles from Allentown - Slatington, PA
about a 21-minute drive from Allentown
Allentown ZIP codes served by this dispatch network
- 18101
- 18102
- 18103
- 18104
- 18106
- 18109
- 18195
Quick answers before you call
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Treat it as an emergency when water or sewage is damaging the home and a shutoff valve does not stop it. A burst pipe, a backed-up main drain, a leaking water heater tank and any gas smell qualify. A slow drip under a sink or a running toilet can usually wait for a scheduled visit once the supply valve is closed.
What should I do when the water goes off in the whole house?
Check whether neighbors have water, then look at the main valve and the meter in case it was closed by accident. If the valve is open and the house is still dry, a broken service line, a frozen pipe or a utility outage may be the cause. Call the dispatch line and describe what you checked.
Is same-day plumbing service available?
Sometimes. Same-day visits depend on the time of the call, the type of problem and which plumber serving your area can take the job. The dispatcher tells you what is available for your address when you call, and does not promise an arrival window the line cannot keep.
Who answers the phone at night and on weekends?
The dispatch line is answered around the clock, including nights, weekends and holidays. The dispatcher asks for your address, what you see, and whether the water is off, then confirms which plumber can reach you. License details for the plumber who comes are available on request.
Can a tenant call about a significant leak in a rental house?
Yes. A tenant, a landlord or a property manager can report a burst pipe or a ceiling that keeps dripping. Shut the main valve when it is within reach, tell the owner right away, and phone dispatch with the address and a number where you can be reached. Repairs beyond stopping the damage need the owner’s go-ahead, so the dispatcher asks who that is.
Plumber needed in Allentown tonight?
The dispatch line is open around the clock. Call, describe the problem, and hear what is available for your address.
- Licensed and insured plumbers
- Same-day service when available
- 24/7 emergency dispatch