Mercer County · Princeton, NJ
Plumbers in Princeton, NJ
Princeton is in Mercer County, New Jersey. About 56,000 people live in the 5 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 21,000 homes, 48% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1980 and 1999 (31%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 5 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Princeton
08540, 08541, 08542, 08543, 08544
Princeton homes and their plumbing
Here is how Princeton's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 14%, 1940–1959 15%, 1960–1979 14%, 1980–1999 31%, 2000 or later 27%. 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.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 14% |
| 1940–1959 | 15% |
| 1960–1979 | 14% |
| 1980–1999 | 31% |
| 2000 or later | 27% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 56,462
- Housing units
- 20,561
- Single-family detached
- 48%
- Owner-occupied
- 62%
- Heated with utility gas
- 72%
- Heated with electricity
- 21%
- Heated with fuel oil
- 5%
What goes wrong in Princeton homes
Natural gas in most homes
72% 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.
1980s and 90s construction and polybutylene
31% 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.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
28% of homes in Princeton's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 14% 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.
Winter freezes
42% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold New Jersey winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Princeton
- Gas Line Repair
- Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
- Whole-House Repiping in Princeton, NJ
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Princeton: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Princeton at a glance
- County
- Mercer County
- ZIP codes
- 08540, 08541, 08542, 08543, 08544
Princeton plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Princeton?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Princeton, Census estimates put 28% of homes as built before 1960, 14% from 1960 to 1979, 31% from 1980 to 1999 and 27% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1980–1999 (31%).
Who licenses plumbers in Princeton, NJ?
The New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers licenses master plumbers; check a license through the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Are water heaters in Princeton usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 72% of homes heating with utility gas, 21% with electricity, 5% with fuel oil. 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 Princeton homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Princeton Junction (3 mi), Rocky Hill (3 mi), Blawenburg (4 mi), Kingston (4 mi), Hopewell (5 mi), Skillman (5 mi), Lawrence Township (5 mi), Cranbury (6 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 Princeton, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Princeton?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.