Fairbanks North Star County · Fairbanks, AK
Plumbers in Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks is in Fairbanks North Star County, Alaska. About 48,000 people live in the 3 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 23,000 homes, 55% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (37%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 3 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Fairbanks
99701, 99709, 99775
Fairbanks homes and their plumbing
Here is how Fairbanks's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 1%, 1940–1959 12%, 1960–1979 33%, 1980–1999 37%, 2000 or later 17%. Most homes are old enough that original pipe, valves and water heaters are wearing out, but young enough that full repipes are a case-by-case call. Neighboring areas such as Wasilla are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 1% |
| 1940–1959 | 12% |
| 1960–1979 | 33% |
| 1980–1999 | 37% |
| 2000 or later | 17% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 48,005
- Housing units
- 23,179
- Single-family detached
- 55%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Heated with utility gas
- 9%
- Heated with electricity
- 10%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 74%
What goes wrong in Fairbanks homes
Oil-heated homes
74% of occupied homes here heat with fuel oil, far above the national norm. Many of them make hot water with a tankless coil inside the boiler, which runs the boiler all summer. Plumbers often replace the coil with an indirect tank or a standalone water heater when the boiler is serviced or replaced.
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
37% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999. Polybutylene supply pipe was installed widely in US homes from about 1978 to 1995, so houses from these years are worth checking for gray plastic pipe stamped PB2110, usually visible at the water heater or under sinks. Insurers and buyers often ask about it. See polybutylene replacement.
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
33% of the housing here dates from 1960 to 1979. Original copper supply lines in those homes are now 45 to 65 years old, and cast iron drains of that age scale up inside and crack. Seized shutoff valves, pinhole leaks and recurring main-line clogs are common calls. A camera inspection shows the condition of the sewer line before anyone digs.
Long, hard winters
46% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Alaska winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Fairbanks
- Water Heater Replacement
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement in Fairbanks, AK
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Fairbanks: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Fairbanks at a glance
- County
- Fairbanks North Star County
- Nearest city pages
- Wasilla
- ZIP codes
- 99701, 99709, 99775
Fairbanks plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Fairbanks?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Fairbanks, Census estimates put 13% of homes as built before 1960, 33% from 1960 to 1979, 37% from 1980 to 1999 and 17% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (37%).
Who licenses plumbers in Fairbanks, AK?
Alaska's Department of Labor and Workforce Development issues plumber certificates of fitness through its Mechanical Inspection section.
Are water heaters in Fairbanks usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 9% of homes heating with utility gas, 10% with electricity, 74% with fuel oil. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so electricity is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
Guides for Fairbanks homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Fort Wainwright (0 mi), North Pole (10 mi), Eielson Afb (21 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 Fairbanks, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Fairbanks?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.