Plumbing in Fox Chase
Post-war homes commonly have original copper supply lines and cast-iron or clay sewer laterals that are now reaching the end of their service life.
Request estimates →Philadelphia · PA · 19111
Hiring a contractor in Fox Chase
Fox Chase is a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood of largely post-war rowhomes, twins and single homes. Here’s what homes here tend to need, who handles permits, and which checked local contractors cover Fox Chase.
what homes here need
Why Fox Chase homeowners call these trades
Heating & Cooling in Fox Chase
Many post-war homes have original ductwork sized for heating only, so adding or replacing central air may mean duct modifications.
Request estimates →Electrical in Fox Chase
Post-war homes often have 100-amp service and ungrounded two-prong outlets, and some homes from the 1960s and 1970s have aluminum branch wiring that needs approved connectors.
Request estimates →Roofing in Fox Chase
Post-war homes with low-slope roofs and minimal overhangs are prone to ice dams, so eave membrane and attic insulation deserve attention at replacement time.
Request estimates →every trade, one town
Home services in Fox Chase
Plumbing
Plumbing work in Fox Chase ranges from a dripping faucet to a failed water heater or a backed-up sewer line.
Heating & Cooling
Heating and cooling work in Fox Chase covers furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central air and ductless systems.
Electrical
Electrical work in Fox Chase includes panel upgrades, new circuits, lighting, EV chargers and standby generators.
Roofing
Roofing work in Fox Chase runs from replacing a few storm-damaged shingles to a full tear-off and re-roof.
Painting
Post-war homes with original wood trim, aluminum siding or asbestos-cement shingles each need different preparation — and asbestos-cement should not be sanded or power-washed aggressively.
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
Post-war homes commonly have small original kitchens and a single bath, so remodels often involve removing a wall or borrowing space from a neighboring room.
Home Remodeling & Additions
Post-war capes, ranches and split-levels are frequent candidates for dormers, rear additions and opened-up first floors.
Decks & Porches
Many post-war homes have original or early decks whose framing and ledger connections predate current code, so repair often turns into rebuild.
Concrete & Masonry
Original post-war driveways, walks and stoops are now at the age where replacement makes more sense than patching.
Power Washing
Aluminum siding on post-war homes oxidizes to a chalky film that high pressure will strip unevenly, and asbestos-cement shingles should only be cleaned gently.
Siding
Post-war homes often have aluminum siding or asbestos-cement shingles; asbestos-cement must be removed or covered following regulated procedures.
Windows & Doors
Post-war homes often have aluminum or early vinyl replacement windows that are now inefficient and hard to operate.
Flooring
Post-war homes frequently have hardwood under carpet, and some older resilient tiles and adhesives contain asbestos and should be tested before removal.
Gutters
Post-war homes with shallow roof overhangs are prone to ice dams that pull gutters loose.
Paving
Original driveways on post-war homes have often been overlaid several times and now need full removal.
Basement Waterproofing
Block foundations common in post-war homes can admit water through mortar joints and hollow cores, and can bow under soil pressure.
Insulation
Post-war homes typically have a few inches of original attic insulation, far below current recommendations.
Garage Doors
Attached garages on post-war homes frequently still run original openers that predate photo-eye sensors and should be replaced rather than repaired.
Chimney & Fireplace
Post-war chimneys often vent the furnace and water heater as well as the fireplace; replacing the furnace with a high-efficiency model can leave the water heater in an oversized flue that needs a liner.
Junk Removal
Long-held post-war homes are often the subject of estate cleanouts, where sorting keepsakes, donations and trash is part of the job.
Water Damage & Mold Restoration
Finished basements in post-war homes are common sites for water damage from aging water heaters, washer hoses and sump failures.
Solar Panels
Post-war ranches and split-levels often have simple, low-pitched roofs that suit panels, but many still have original-size electrical services that may need an upgrade.
Cabinets & Countertops
Post-war kitchens often have soffits above the cabinets that may hide ducts or pipes, so check what is inside before planning taller cabinets.
Foundation Repair
Concrete-block basement walls common in post-war homes can bow inward under soil and water pressure, usually showing a horizontal crack along a mortar joint first.
Home Inspection
Post-war homes often have block foundations, original electrical services sized for fewer appliances, and in some 1960s–70s houses aluminum branch wiring, which needs evaluation by an electrician.
Movers
Post-war homes often have basement storage reached by steep stairs and attics with pull-down ladders, which add time if they need to be emptied.
Landscaping & Lawn Care
Landscaping in Fox Chase covers lawn care, planting, grading and hardscape such as patios and walls.
Pest Control
Pest control in Fox Chase deals with ants, termites, rodents, stinging insects and seasonal invaders such as stink bugs.
Tree Service
Tree work in Fox Chase includes pruning, removals, stump grinding and storm cleanup.
Handyman
Handyman services in Fox Chase cover the small repairs and installations that do not need a specialist trade.
Fencing
Fence work in Fox Chase includes privacy, picket, pool and pet fencing in wood, vinyl and aluminum.
House Cleaning
House cleaning in Fox Chase ranges from weekly and biweekly visits to one-time deep cleans and move-in or move-out cleaning.
Appliance Repair
Appliance repair in Fox Chase covers refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges and ovens, gas and electric.
Swimming Pools & Hot Tubs
Pool and hot tub work in Fox Chase includes new inground and above-ground pools, hot tub installs, liner and equipment repairs, and seasonal openings and closings.
Septic & Well Service
Septic and well service in Fox Chase covers tank pumping and inspections, septic repairs, well pumps and pressure tanks, and water testing and treatment.
Locksmith
Locksmith work in Fox Chase covers lockouts, rekeying after a move, new deadbolts and smart locks, and repairs to sticking or worn locks.
Window Cleaning
Window cleaning in Fox Chase covers inside and outside glass, screens, sills and tracks, and stains left by hard water.
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet and upholstery cleaning in Fox Chase covers wall-to-wall carpet, sofas and chairs, area rugs, and stubborn stains and pet odors.
Snow Removal
Snow removal in Fox Chase covers driveway plowing, sidewalk and walkway shoveling, salting and de-icing, and clearing heavy snow from roofs.
Irrigation & Sprinklers
Irrigation work in Fox Chase covers new sprinkler and drip systems, repairs, fall winterization and spring start-up, and backflow preventer testing.
before you hire in Fox Chase
Questions Fox Chase homeowners ask
Who issues building permits in Fox Chase?
Building permits and zoning questions for an address in Fox Chase go to the City of Philadelphia (Department of Licenses and Inspections). Pennsylvania permits are issued under the Uniform Construction Code by each municipality or the inspection agency it appoints, so that office decides what needs a permit and an inspection. A good contractor pulls the permit for you and tells you which inspections to expect.
Do contractors in Fox Chase need to be registered?
Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most contractors who do home improvement work to register with the Attorney General and to give you a written contract for jobs over $500. Ask for the registration number; it belongs on the estimate and the contract. Some trades and municipalities add their own licensing.
What ZIP code does Fox Chase use?
Fox Chase uses ZIP code 19111. Enter your own ZIP when you request estimates so your request goes only to contractors who cover your address.
How does Wolfpack find me a contractor in Fox Chase?
Describe the job once and choose how many contractors may contact you, one or up to 4. We send it only to pack members who cover Fox Chase and whose business registration and insurance (and license, where the trade requires one) a member of our team has checked. Wolfpack does not do the work itself, and requests are free for homeowners.