AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Gadsden, AL

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Gadsden?

Gadsden is a city in Alabama located in the county seat of Etowah County. It is located on the Coosa River, about 56 miles northeast of Birmingham and 90 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What makes Gadsden so special is its perfect combination of mountain scenery, rushing waters, and even its Civil War history. From its exceptional children’s museums to the gorgeous Noccalula Falls and its sprawling golf courses, the city provides something for everyone, no matter their age or their interests.

However, even though the city is an ideal location for a family to plant its roots, it is not without its faults, especially when it comes to the area’s plumbing. Fortunately, there are things that homeowners can do to ensure that these plumbing issues do not escalate into major home renovations. Yet, before they take these proactive actions, they first need to learn more about some of the common plumbing dilemmas the city has to deal with:

Backed-up Sewers

Backed-up sewers are known to create nasty messes and will often leave your whole home smelling terrible. Worse yet, since these backups tend to occur in connection to other plumbing issues such as a clogged drain or heavy rains, it can mean bad news for Gadsden residents since tropical systems are known to bring torrential rains to the city, often dumping significant amounts of water in short periods of time. As a result, homeowners in Gadsden need to be aware of these sewer problems so that they can take care of them before they escalate into a significant mess. 

Plugged up Drains

One of the most common plumbing problems in Gadsden often has to do with the clogged drains. Although most people assume this is just a minor problem, it can, in fact, lead to devastating results if homeowners do not take care of the problem fast. 

Drains will often become clogged because of dirt, hair, food particles, grease, and other insoluble items that homeowners decide to flush down the toilet or sink. As a result, the best way to make sure this problem doesn’t become an expensive issue is for homeowners to check their pipes regularly.

Pressure Issues in the Pipes

If a pipe has air in it or a clog, it can often cause low water pressure problems, which are often discovered when homeowners notice that the speed of the water coming out of their faucet has significantly changed. 

For instance, if your once standard flowing shower or sink now only has water trickling out of it, then it is likely that you may be facing a severe low water pressure issue. Although there are many causes for these pressure issues, some of the more common ones tend to include a pipe leak that supplies the water, a mainline break, and a mineral deposit build-up within the aerators.

How Does the Water in Gadsden Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Alabama is considered to be moderately soft, with an average state hardness of 61 PPM. Although this water is safe to drink and can even leave your hair, skin, and clothes feel softer and cleaner after washing, it can still cause problems with your plumbing. 

Generally, soft water is known to cause pinhole leaks in the pipes because it tends to lack minerals, making it more aggressive towards unlined metal pipes. As this water flows through these pipes, it will pull minerals from them over time, such as copper. Eventually, this corrosion will lead to perforation of the pipe walls and lead to these pinhole leaks. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Gadsden?

The overall plumbing costs in Gadsden will often depend on the hourly rate of your contractor. For instance, most plumbers in the area charge around $60 per hour for standard plumbing work and up to $95 per hour for more complicated repairs. Yet, although this can give you a reasonable estimate of the average costs, it will not tell you the whole story since there are actually many factors that can affect your total plumbing costs. 

The Overall Labor Costs and What Type of Services Are Needed

When it comes to your plumbing bill, the labor costs will often impact it the most. For example, if you have a plumbing emergency, you will need to contact a plumber to come as soon as possible. However, if these services are required, you will be paying much more money for a visit than a regularly scheduled one. Yet, do not let these costs stop you from calling these plumbers. These emergency plumbing services are often necessary to prevent substantial water damage such as rotting or mold. 

In comparison, if you do not require emergency plumbing work, your plumbing costs will depend on the specific work that needs to be done. For instance, if you have a leaky toilet, it will cost you much less to repair than having a new water heater installed. 

How Expensive Are the Parts You Need Replacing

Most plumbing jobs are often a quick fix for experienced plumbers. They will likely have the required materials and parts on hand to fix your plumbing emergency. However, if the job involved is more complex and requires more intricate replacement parts, your plumber may need to order these unique materials. If this is the case, you can expect that your plumbing bill will increase significantly, as you will now be on the hook for not only the work that needs to be done but also these expensive parts.

The Complexity of the Work To Be Performed

Unfortunately, some plumbing jobs will require a significant amount of hours to complete, even with the most experienced plumbers. For example, if you need a major plumbing overhaul or have a considerable pipe leak, it can take anywhere from a few days to weeks for a skilled plumber to complete the job. As a result, the overall price of the plumbing repair services will go up substantially. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Gadsden?

Finding a plumber in Gadsden is simple. All you need to do is grab your phone and look up plumbers in the area. However, just because finding a plumber is relatively easy, it does not mean that the plumber you find is qualified to take on the work that needs to be done.

In truth, if you hire an inexperienced plumber who lacks the knowledge and the skills to take on your extensive plumbing work, you can be left with various issues, including astronomical plumbing repair bills for work incorrectly done and the hassle of finding a new plumber who has the experience to fix all of these plumbing complications. 

For these reasons, do not leave your plumbing work up to chance and hire the first person that comes up in your search results. Instead, do your homework and find a skilled and experienced Gadsden plumber that can complete your plumbing work properly the first time around. 

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

Generally, most people are not prepared to take on a water emergency, let alone know what they are supposed to do in these situations or who they need to call to care for the mess. Fortunately, you do not have to stress about this water dilemma any longer. With the tips we have prepared, we will help you understand exactly what you need to do the next time you have a plumbing emergency. 

Call Your Local Utility Company When You Notice the Following Plumbing Problems and Water Issues

If you notice water leaking on your street because a water main broke, your entire home’s water goes out, or you see a leak at a neighbor’s house, but nobody is there, then you need to immediately call your local water utility company at (256) 543-2884. Generally, when you contact them, the water utility companies will often send one of their own contractors to check on the issue and take care of the problem fast. 

Call an Experienced Gadsden Plumber When You Notice The Following Plumbing Problems and Water Issues

If you see water leaking inside your house, the water sewage is backing up into your home, your water keeps rising, or your toilets and sink stop draining properly, then it is time to call an experienced Gadsden plumbing professional. These plumbers can not only check what the problem is, but they can also make sure they take care of the issue fast before it escalates into devastating home damage. 

In addition, since many plumbing issues in the area often stem from the weather, it is also a great idea to have these plumbers perform maintenance checks on your plumbing after significant storms and heavy rains. These maintenance checks are not only easy and quick, but they can help you verify that your pipes are in good working condition, which can save you a substantial amount of money in the future. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Gadsden?

Gadsden’s Building Department is responsible for issuing electrical, building, mechanical, and plumbing permits for residential and commercial building projects. 

The goal of these permits is to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the city’s general public by ensuring that the structures that need to be repaired, replaced, or built are up to code. In addition, these permits are there to protect the public from abuse by unlicensed contractors. 

However, since not all plumbing projects may require a permit, before you start your next plumbing job, it is essential to reach out to the city to figure out if your plumbing work requires a permit, and if so, what you need to do to obtain one.