Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Pittsburgh Plumbing Experts
Plumbers Local 27 has served the Pittsburgh region since 1889, delivering exceptional plumbing services through a commitment to rigorous training and industry excellence. Our organization, chartered by the United Association, employs over 1,120 highly skilled members who specialize in heavy industrial, commercial, and residential construction projects. With a 135-year legacy, we combine hands-on expertise with advanced training programs, including backflow testing, dye testing, and medical gas system installations. Our workforce partners with signatory contractors to ensure sophisticated piping systems meet exacting standards, from underground infrastructure to final fixture connections. We maintain a drug-free workforce and prioritize continuing education to keep journeymen updated on industry trends.Our five-year apprenticeship program, recognized as the best in the UA apprenticeship network, produces top-tier professionals equipped to handle complex challenges. Backed by 24/7 emergency services and a reputation for on-time, on-budget project completion, we serve diverse sectors including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Our state-of-the-art training facility features solar technology and greywater systems, reflecting our commitment to innovation. With jurisdiction covering 12 Pennsylvania counties, we remain dedicated to protecting public health through code-compliant plumbing solutions. Our leadership team, including Business Manager Edward J. Bigley, ensures adherence to the highest standards of craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.
Services
Commercial Plumbing
Residential Plumbing
Backflow Testing
Dye Testing
Emergency Services
Medical Gas Installation
Industrial Pipefitting
Plumbing Training
Rigging Services
Green Systems
Highlights and features
- 135 years of proven expertise in Pittsburgh's plumbing industry
- 24/7 emergency services with licensed journeymen available
- United Association-certified training for advanced piping systems
- Specialized backflow and dye testing services for compliance
- Continuing education programs keep skills at industry forefront
Associations and certifications
- United Association
What people say
Best apprenticeship program
Hands-on training unmatched
Continuing education available
Highly skilled journeymen
24/7 emergency services
Services
Commercial Plumbing
We provide comprehensive commercial plumbing solutions for hospitals, office buildings, industrial sites, and power plants. Our certified professionals handle design, new construction, tenant fit-ups, and 24-hour emergency services. With specialized expertise in backflow testing and dye testing, we ensure compliance with municipal regulations while maintaining sophisticated piping systems for complex facilities.
Residential Plumbing
Our residential services protect family health through code-compliant installations and repairs. We offer design services, new construction support, and 24/7 emergency response for homes, condominiums, and apartment complexes. Annual backflow testing and dye testing for property closings ensure homeowners meet Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority requirements while maintaining safe plumbing systems.
Backflow Testing
Certified mechanics perform mandatory backflow prevention testing to protect drinking water supplies. We service lawn sprinkler systems, boilers, and fire protection systems, ensuring compliance with Pittsburgh's water authority regulations. Our technicians test and maintain mechanical devices that prevent contaminated water from reentering municipal water mains through annual inspections and emergency repairs.
Dye Testing
We conduct dye testing for property closings to determine sewer system compliance with Pittsburgh ordinances. Using non-staining water-soluble tablets, our experts identify drainage patterns and provide Evidence of Compliance Certificates. Our team handles both combined sewer area certifications and corrective actions for failed tests, ensuring smooth property transactions.
Plumbing Training
Our five-year apprenticeship program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in plumbing codes, AutoCAD, and specialized systems. With continuing education courses and certifications in medical gas installation and rigging, we maintain the industry's most skilled workforce. The program includes 42 kWh solar training and greywater system education at our state-of-the-art facility.
People
Edward J. Bigley
Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer
Edward J. Bigley leads Plumbers Local 27 as Business Manager, overseeing operations and financial stewardship. With decades of union experience, he ensures quality training programs and contractor partnerships while maintaining the organization's commitment to excellence in Pittsburgh's plumbing industry.
Patrick J. Bigley
President
Patrick J. Bigley serves as President of Plumbers Local 27, guiding strategic initiatives and member representation. His leadership focuses on maintaining high training standards and expanding the union's influence across Pennsylvania's 12-county jurisdiction while preserving the organization's 135-year legacy.
Jeffrey A. DiGiacomo
Business Agent Zone 1
Jeffrey A. DiGiacomo acts as Business Agent for Zone 1, representing members and contractors in labor negotiations. With extensive field experience, he ensures fair working conditions and compliance with union standards while facilitating training program participation across his assigned region.
Keith J. Yeager
Business Agent Zone 2
Keith J. Yeager serves as Business Agent for Zone 2, managing contractor relationships and member support. His role focuses on maintaining high service standards and resolving workplace issues while promoting the union's training initiatives and community engagement efforts.
T.J. Sandell
Business Agent Zone 3
T.J. Sandell represents Zone 3 as Business Agent, ensuring compliance with union contracts and supporting workforce development. He works closely with signatory contractors to maintain quality standards while addressing members' professional needs across the assigned jurisdiction.
Questions
What areas do Plumbers Local 27 serve?
We serve 12 Pennsylvania counties including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, McKean, Venango, and Warren counties, plus portions of Washington, Greene, and Westmoreland counties.
Do you offer emergency plumbing services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency services with licensed, fully trained journeymen available for urgent plumbing needs across our jurisdiction.
What certifications do your plumbers hold?
Our members maintain certifications in backflow testing, medical gas installation, OSHA safety standards, crane signaling, and specialized welding techniques through ongoing training programs.
Why choose union plumbers?
Our journeymen complete rigorous training exceeding 1,700 classroom hours plus 8,000 on-the-job hours. This ensures superior skill levels, code compliance knowledge, and commitment to quality workmanship compared to non-union professionals.
What commercial services do you offer?
We handle all commercial plumbing needs including new construction, tenant fit-ups, inspections, and emergency repairs for hospitals, schools, industrial sites, and commercial kitchens across the Pittsburgh region.
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