AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Davenport, IA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Davenport?

Do you have plumbing issues in your home? The good news is, Mr Blue Plumbing can help with a wide range of plumbing issues, even if you do not see your individual problem listed below. 

Basement Flooding

Iowa residents have basements for one key reason: tornado season. Those basements serve as a vital protection and a place for residents to go when tornado warnings fill the area. While they can offer immense convenience, they can also be home to leaks and that can lead to serious problems with your foundation. Sometimes, basement flooding occurs due to external problems, including flooding throughout the area. Other times, water may collect in your basement due to poor waterproofing or drainage, or because of a burst or leaking pipe that is allowing water into the basement in your home. We can help sort out any leaks that may result in a flooded basement.

Sewer and Drain Overflow

When you have sewage backing up out of your drains, you know you have a problem that needs to be addressed quickly. Sometimes, sewage overflow can occur as a result of heavy rainfall. While Davenport doesn’t see particularly heavy rainfall compared to the rest of the United States, with an average of 203 sunny days each year and only about 37 average inches of rain per year, when the rain does come down heavily, it can cause that overflow. Other times, it can happen because of a clog in your drain or in your pipes. The emergency plumbing services offered by Mr Blue Plumbing can help identify the cause of sewage or drain overflow so that you can avoid further damage to your home. 

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes can pose a hazard in any home. Over time, pipes can wear down, especially at the joint, and start to experience slow leaks. Sometimes, you may not even notice those leaks until they cause substantial problems, including mold growth, throughout your home. Other times, you may notice a slow, steady leak: a damp wall or water on the floor, for example. Unfortunately, the hard water in Davenport contributes to leaks because the minerals suspended in it corrode o-rings, gaskets, and fixtures more rapidly than soft water.

Other leaks hit fast and leave you with a mess to clean up. When leaks hit hard, Mr Blue Plumbing can help you address those problems and keep water flowing safely through your house while avoiding further water damage.

Dripping Faucets

You may assume that a dripping faucet does not represent a serious problem. After all, it generally drips at the rate of only a few drops per second. However, dripping faucets can mean substantial annual water loss, including hundreds of gallons of water dripping from your faucet over the course of the year. 

With Davenport’s generally hard water, you may find that sediment is more likely to build up on the seals of your faucets, leading to more leaks over time. Leaks generally do not resolve on their own, but Mr Blue Plumbing can quickly replace your damaged seals and get your faucet back to normal. 

Running Toilets

Just as the city’s hard water can wear down the seals in your faucets more quickly, it can also wear down the seals in your toilet. If your toilet regularly starts running for no reason or continues to run all the time, it can go through a lot of water and your seals could be to blame. Mr Blue Plumbing can come out, take a look at your running toilet, and establish the reason for the problem, preventing you from facing that ongoing added expense to your water bill and the regular disruption to your day.

Lack of Hot Water

Iowa residents use their hot water regularly. They need to be able to wash themselves, their dishes, and their clothes. You likely count on your hot water heater to provide that vitally necessary hot water so you can take care of those washing needs. Unfortunately, your water heater won’t last forever. If you notice that your showers are, as a matter of necessity, getting shorter, or that you can’t get your water as hot as you would like, sediment buildup in your hot water heater from the city’s hard water could be to blame. We can come out, identify the problems with your hot water heater, and get it working at peak efficiency again.

Lack of Water Pressure

Lack of water pressure can occur for a number of reasons. During winter, you could have problems with a lack of water pressure due to freezing. In Davenport, the temperature often remains below freezing in December and January, leaving plenty of opportunities for the pipes to freeze. Water pressure can also drop when you have a leak or burst pipe. Additionally, the mineral deposits from Davenport’s hard water can restrict the flow through your pipes and lead to low water pressure.

Burst/Frozen Pipes

Most Davenport residents know they need to winterize their pipes to protect them during the cold winter months and when temperatures drop to the average low of 13 degrees F in January, residents may need to leave the water running overnight to protect their pipes. Frozen pipes expand due to the pressure of the water. That pressure can cause the pipes to burst, which residents might not become aware of until the pipe melts. The pressure can also create small cracks in the pipes that can later lead to steady leaks.

How Does the Water in Davenport Affect Your Plumbing?

In general, Davenport, IA has hard water, ranging from around 184 to 266 mg per liter. That hard water can cause some significant plumbing issues, including increased sediment buildup. Thanks to that sediment buildup, Davenport residents may note a higher incidence of leaking faucets or damage to hot water heaters. A water softener can help prevent many of those problems before they arise; however, too-soft water does not get clothing or other items as clean.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Davenport?

The cost of your plumbing issue will depend on the specific project you need to have handled. Most jobs in the area fall between $100 and $900. Several key factors can impact plumbing costs in Davenport. 

Cost Factor: Do You Need Emergency Plumbing Services?

Sometimes, you may need immediate help from Mr Blue Plumbing. You had a pipe burst in the middle of winter and now have no water coming to your home until the problem is addressed. You have a huge leak out in the yard and your water meter is running like crazy. Perhaps you have sewage rising up out of your drains and need to deal with it immediately. If you need emergency services, however, your plumbing project may cost more than if you can afford to wait for regular business hours. 

Cost Factor: How Extensive Is Your Plumbing Project?

Replacing a seal in a leaking faucet takes very little time and few materials, so your costs will be relatively minimal. On the other hand, if you have an extensive plumbing project, from redoing a bathroom to redirecting the plumbing in your home, you can expect your costs to mount higher. 

Cost Factor: Does Your Plumbing Project Require Specialized Services or Tools?

In addition to taking more time, extensive plumbing projects may require specialized services or tools – not to mention a large number of materials. A specialized project will typically cost more than a minor project that can be handled in a shorter amount of time.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Davenport?

The plumbing in your home is an often-overlooked way that you can save considerable money on your overall costs. Better plumbing can help save you money in several key ways. First, installing a water softener can make a huge difference in how fast the seals in your toilet, water heater, and faucets wear down, which can save you a significant amount of money over time. Next, investing in your plumbing can help you avoid the potential risk of burst pipes in winter, which can save you money on emergency plumbing bills. Finally, keeping your plumbing in good repair can help you avoid the cost of leaks or, worse, burst pipes, which can raise your water bill substantially every year.

Letting your plumbing fall into disrepair, on the other hand, can prove incredibly costly. When you do not keep your plumbing well-maintained, you may face expensive emergency plumbing repair bills, ongoing leaks, and damage throughout your home that you will need to repair quickly in order to avoid further problems. In some cases, plumbing issues, when left unchecked, can cause immense water damage, mold overgrowth, or even weaken the structural integrity of your home – all of which can prove very expensive to fix.

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Davenport vs Hire a Plumber?

The City of Davenport is responsible for any water problems that occur outside your meter. Inside the meter, you will have to bring in our plumbers to take care of any plumbing problems you may face.

Not sure who is responsible for a plumbing problem? If you notice a leak, especially if you see water collecting in your yard or have noticed a sudden drop in water pressure, try checking your meter. Turn off every source of water in the house, then go look at the meter. If the meter is still running, chances are, you have a leak somewhere and you’ll need to call us to come out and address it. On the other hand, if the meter doesn’t move, but the problem doesn’t resolve itself, you’ll need to call the City of Davenport and have them take care of the problem.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Davenport?

Many of your regular plumbing projects will require a permit and as complicated as getting a permit may sound, that’s a good thing! When you have to have a permit to get work done, the city will check to make sure that the work is done correctly. When it comes to plumbing, that means you won’t have frustrating leaks that could lead to mold, mildew, or water damage throughout your home. In Davenport, you’ll need to have a permit for work on any plumbing systems. This includes additions to your property, demolition of existing plumbing systems, new construction, or remodeling work. You may also need a permit for many plumbing repairs since the permit will help ensure that the repairs are done correctly.