Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Castle Rock?
- 2 How Does The Water In Castle Rock Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Castle Rock?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Castle Rock?
- 5 When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Castle Rock Vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Castle Rock?
What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Castle Rock?
Hard Water
Castle Rock has hard water. The water deposits scale in pipes, especially hot water systems, and reduce the efficiency of water heaters. As the scale builds up, it either clogs pipes or causes obstructions that lower the water pressure. If the scale is not removed, it can cause the water pipes to burst. The result is strained showers and low pressure in baths, showers, and faucets.
Scale also builds up in appliances such as washing machines and water heaters. It settles on the heating elements and reduces appliance efficiency. Over long periods, the scale reduces the lifespan of your appliances and increases your power consumption.
The easiest solution to hard water damage is to call our plumbers to install a water softening system. The type of water softener you need depends on the hardness of your water and your consumption. We help you determine your average consumption, find the right water softener for your home, and install it for you.
Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets are some of the most common and annoying plumbing issues that Castle Rock residents face. The dripping occurs because of a worn-out washer or O-ring in the tap. The washers seal the link between the supply pipe to a sink and the faucet. When the washer wears out, the seal is broken, and water passes through. Your faucet may also drip, due to a corroded valve seat on the faucet. Call us to fix any leaks in your kitchen and bathroom sink faucets.
Blocked Drains
The drains in your kitchen and bathroom can become clogged over years of use. In the kitchen sinks, clogs occur when you pour too much soap and food down the drain. If you drop items such as spoons, they also clog up your drains. Bathroom sinks, tubs, and shower drains also clog up because of hair, as well as soap, which we use more of to combat the hard water in the area.
When your drainage pipes are clogged up, the drainage is slow, and the wastewater may back up, causing foul odors in your home. While remedies such as hot water can resolve some clogs, some blockages require equipment. You can damage your pipes in your attempt to scrape clogs with the wrong tools.
We resolve stubborn clogs by using drain snakes and augers that reach obstructions deep in the pipes. We also use video cameras to inspect drainage pipes, especially underground, before using machines and hot water jets to break up the clogs.
Running Toilets
Toilets are some of the most used fixtures in homes and, unsurprisingly, problems develop eventually. Running toilets cause water wastage and require immediate fixing. A toilet runs when the flapper is worn-out, or when the overflow tube drains water into the bowl. Contact us to replace toilet parts and solve running in your toilet.
Water Heater Installation and Replacement
When your water heater has served you for several years, it loses efficiency due to wear. Modern water heaters are more efficient than older models. You can count on us for expert water heater installation. We help you select efficient water heaters and install them correctly. We also acquire the proper permits for water heater installation in Castle Rock.
Due to hard water in Castle Rock, your water heater may also experience corrosion problems. Most water heaters have an anode rod, which acts as the “sacrificial magnet” to protect other parts of the water heater from corrosion. This anode rod needs to be replaced every few years to prevent corrosion of the water heater. Hard water also causes mineral buildup inside the water heater, causing loss of efficiency. We recommend regular hot water flushes to remove sediment and improve the longevity of your water heater.
Low Water Pressure
If the water in your home has low water pressure, you may have several problems. The issue could be a leak in your supply pipes. If the leak is indoors, you may notice puddles or water damage such as creaky wooden floors or lose tiles. Contact us to confirm the leak location and replace the pipe.
You may also have low water pressure due to clogs in your supply pipe. Hard water deposits leave sediment in the pipes, causing the formation of obstructions that lower the water pressure. If you suspect the water quality in your home is affecting your plumbing, consult us for pipe cleaning, replacement, and a water softening system.
Sometimes, you may have low water pressure in your kitchen faucet because your aerator is clogged. In this case, it’s best to remove the aerator, clean it with a toothbrush under running water or soak it in vinegar. However, if nothing changes after cleaning the aerator, it’s time to call us in for a pipe inspection.
Clogged Garbage Disposal
Running your garbage disposal without pouring sufficient water down the drain or disposing of the wrong garbage causes the garbage disposal to jam. Hitting the reset button resolves some issues, but call us to remove the debris if nothing works.
Frozen Pipes
Winter brings cold temperatures up to 19 degrees Fahrenheit. The government of Castle Rock advises homeowners to avoid frozen pipes by:
- Insulating pipes adjacent to exterior walls, basements, and crawl spaces
- Opening cabinets where pipes are located to allow warm air to reach the pipes
- Setting the thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit
- Opening faucets to let water drip and relieve pressure.
However, sometimes, a pipe may freeze. When no water pours from your pipes during winter, call us to check it out.
How Does The Water In Castle Rock Affect Your Plumbing?
Castle Rock has moderately hard to hard water. Hard water is a result of water dissolving minerals as it flows through the ground. Castle Rock gets around 71% of its water from underground wells and 29% from renewable water sources. The water is then pumped to treatment plants for purification before being piped to your home.
According to the 2020 Water Quality Report, the water in Castle Rock has average hardiness of 165 ppm and alkalinity of 103, as measured in calcium carbonate CaCO3. The hard water and high pH water on your plumbing include:
- Scale buildup inside pipes and water appliances. The minerals inside the water react and create sediments that block your pipes and reduce appliance efficiency.
- As the scale builds up, it causes low water pressure in your supply pipes.
- Stains on tiles and ceramics, especially as the water reacts with soap.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Castle Rock?
Many homeowners in Castle Rock pay an average of $437 for plumbing repairs. The low-end cost is $212, while the higher-end fee is closer to $650. The cost includes materials, equipment, labor, and all surface preparation costs.
However, you may pay more for your plumbing fees because of:
- Permit costs
- Plan review costs
- Sales taxes
Labor Costs
The average labor cost of the job varies, depending on the complexity and time required to complete plumbing works. For instance, the labor cost of installing a water heater is higher than the cost of replacing a clogged drainage pipe under the sink. Works during regular appointment hours are also lower than emergency plumbing works. Our plumbers in Castle Rock may charge you an hourly fee to cover the time and fuel and a flat fee for specific jobs such as toilet installations and drain inspection.
Materials
The materials required to fix plumbing issues affect the total cost. The more extensive the repairs, the more the materials and the higher the cost. Also, some materials cost more than others. For example, stainless steel pipes are more expensive than PVC pipes. You also have to pay more if you want to upgrade your fixtures to more efficient ones.
Equipment
Our plumbers include the cost of equipment in flat rate pricing. However, you may be billed separately for equipment such as drain video inspection equipment, drills and augers for clog removal, and excavation for works underground.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Castle Rock?
Better plumbing and regular plumbing maintenance can save you money.
- Early leak detection and fixing leaks protect you from paying higher water bills, for water you didn’t use.
- Upgrading your fixtures with the help of our plumbers prevents leaks and ensures efficient water use.
- An up-to-date plumbing system prevents costly replacements in the future. It’s best to handle plumbing issues when they arise.
- Plumbing works done by our professional plumbers prevent costly damages. When you have clogs, low water pressure, leaks, or issues with your water appliances, it’s best to hire us in Castle Rock to avoid paying for further damages.
When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Castle Rock Vs Hire a Plumber?
Generally, it all depends on the location of the piping that requires work. For example, if there’s a leak in the main supply pipe before branching into your property, contact the water utility company. However, if the leak is in the supply pipe in your property or plumbing works inside your property, hire our plumbers.
When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Castle Rock?
You need a building permit for construction works that include building, repairing, replacing, and remodeling plumbing works in Castle Rock. The permit costs vary, depending on the value of the plumbing works to be carried out, including materials and labor. Homeowners can apply for building permits through Castle Rock’s eTRAKiT portal.
You may also pay for additional plan review fees to ensure that the plumbing works comply with the Building Code and the Zoning regulations. Once the project is complete, you or our plumber should contact the inspection office to inspect the final plumbing. You should also use the eTRAKiT portal. However, you don’t need a plan review for a water heater, unless it’s tankless.
As a homeowner performing works on your residence, you do not have to be licensed. However, any contractors you hire for plumbing in Castle Rock should have a license. In most cases, a licensed contractor like Mr. Blue Plumbing can apply for a permit on your behalf.