Millcreek Township wraps around the west and south sides of the City of Erie and is home to about 53,101 people (2023 estimate). That makes it much larger than Harborcreek, Fairview or Summit townships, and the same local plumbers who work in Erie also work in Millcreek.
Plumbing work we connect Millcreek homeowners with
- Emergency plumbing for burst pipes, leaks and backups.
- Frozen and burst pipes in lake effect cold.
- Water heater repair and replacement, gas, electric and tankless.
- Drain cleaning for kitchens, baths and basement floor drains.
- Sewer line camera inspection and repair.
- Toilet and faucet repair and new fixtures.
Winter in Millcreek
Millcreek shares Erie's place in the Lake Erie snow belt, where the city averages 104.3 inches of snow a year and the record low is minus 18 F. Frozen pipes are the classic Millcreek winter call. Lines along outside walls, in attached garages, and under kitchen sinks on exterior walls freeze first. Before the first hard freeze:
- Shut off and drain every outdoor spigot from the inside valve.
- Disconnect garden hoses.
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and unheated rooms.
- Find your main water shutoff and make sure it turns.
If a pipe does freeze, warm it slowly with a hair dryer or warm towels and never with an open flame. If it has split, close the main valve and call.
Permits and licensing outside the city line
This is the part that confuses people. The City of Erie licenses plumbers, and inside the city only master license holders can obtain a plumbing permit. Millcreek is a separate township, so the City of Erie's rules do not apply to a Millcreek address. Before work that may need a permit, ask the plumber how they handle permits in Millcreek, or call the township office to check.
Two things apply in Millcreek just as in the city:
- Pennsylvania has no state plumbing license, so local rules are what count.
- Most home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Look up a contractor at hic.attorneygeneral.gov.
Gas and water heater safety
In the City of Erie, gas service comes from National Fuel Gas. Wherever you live, if you smell gas near a water heater or anywhere in the house, leave first and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. A plumber can then check the heater, the gas connection and the venting.
Nearby areas
We also take requests from the City of Erie, Fairview Township, Summit Township and the upper Peach Street area, and Harborcreek Township. See the Plumber Erie home page for the full list and our local plumbing guide.
Common questions
Do Millcreek plumbers need a City of Erie license?
The City of Erie license rules apply to work inside the city. For a Millcreek address, ask the plumber about their credentials and check with the township about local rules and permits.
Who do I call about water at the curb in Millcreek?
Call your water provider. Leaks at the curb or in the street are usually the utility's to handle, while leaks inside the house are a job for a plumber.