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Sewer line repair in Fairmount

Long blocks of 19th-century brick rows between the Art Museum and Eastern State Penitentiary. Most houses here are old enough that the lateral is original, or has been patched more than once.

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Covers Fairmount (the Art Museum area), Spring Garden and Francisville · ZIP codes 19130

Fairmount homes and their sewer lines

Fairmount takes its name from the hill where the Philadelphia Museum of Art now stands. The City bought that hill in 1812 for its waterworks. The Fairmount Water Works opened in 1822 and closed in 1909. Eastern State Penitentiary opened nearby in 1829.

Most homes are brick rowhouses and townhouses built for working families in the second half of the 1800s, when nearby factories and breweries needed workers. Next door, Spring Garden and Francisville are also mostly 19th-century rows.

Common sewer problems we hear about in Fairmount

  • Clay or cast iron laterals well over 100 years old under the front sidewalk
  • Roots from mature street trees getting into cracked joints
  • Large rows converted to apartments, putting more flow through the original pipe
  • Curb trap and vent problems at the front wall

What to know before you fix it

Fairmount is in the combined-sewer area. If several neighbors back up at the same time during a storm, it is probably a City sewer problem, so call PWD at (215) 685-6300. If only your house backs up in dry weather, call a plumber. In a converted multi-unit row, check whether the building qualifies for HELP: it covers residential properties with four or fewer units. Before you dig up a stoop or a sidewalk square, ask about trenchless options.

The rules are the same citywide

In every Philadelphia neighborhood, the owner is responsible for the house drain, curb trap, lateral and the connection to the sewer. A licensed plumber must do the work, and PWD can issue a Notice of Defect with a deadline to fix it. Eligible owners can spread the cost over 60 months at zero interest with the HELP loan. Read the PWD & HELP guide · See typical costs · Problems in older Philly homes

Services in Fairmount

Nearby: Brewerytown · Center City · All neighborhoods

We are a free referral service, not a plumber. We connect you with an independent, licensed Philadelphia plumber who quotes and does the work.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Fairmount, Philadelphia
  2. Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia: Fairmount
  3. City of Philadelphia: Philadelphia Rowhouse Manual (PDF)
  4. PWD: HELP Loan Pre-Application and requirements
  5. PWD: Green City, Clean Waters (combined sewers serve about 60% of the city)

Checked October 23, 2026. City programs and prices change; confirm with the source before you rely on them.

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