Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Burbank?
- 2 How Does the Water in Burbank Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Burbank?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Burbank?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Burbank vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Burbank?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Burbank?
Burbank, California is a lovely city situated just a few miles from downtown Los Angeles and is home to over 100,000 people. Most people associate Burbank with its proximity to famous theme parks, like Universal Studios Hollywood, and various shooting locations for numerous television shows and movies. Burbank also has plenty of interesting museums, nature areas, and great restaurants. Those who have lived in Burbank for any stretch of time have probably noticed at least one of the three most common plumbing issues we see in the area: clogged drains, low water pressure, and leaks.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains occur when hair, food, soap, and other substances combine to create a blockage in your home’s pipes. In Burbank, they can also be the result of tree roots pushing your pipes and growing into your plumbing system, which can lead to clogs in multiple drains at once. No matter the cause, clogged drains can make water drain slowly or not at all. This is definitely annoying, but it can also pose a health hazard if standing water sits too long, allowing bacteria and fungus to grow and spread. It’s best to call us as soon as you notice a clogged drain as it can get worse and more expensive to clear the longer you let it go.
Low Water Pressure
Almost everyone has had the displeasure of taking a shower with a low water pressure situation, and most people would agree that it’s a less-than-pleasant experience. Not only is it hard to get shampoo and conditioner out of your hair, but it can also make you feel like you aren’t actually cleaner after the shower. Additionally, low water pressure makes your appliances run less efficiently and it can lead to higher water bills every month. Due to Burbank’s hard water, low water pressure can be caused by hard mineral buildup in pipes, but it can also be due to a water supply problem from the city or your water source.
Pipe and Fixture Leaks
Those who live in California are especially aware of the importance of water conservation, and many residents have found creative ways to reduce their water consumption. Perhaps one of the largest contributors to water consumption and inefficient water usage, however, is leaks in pipes and fixtures. California is also known to have quite a few earthquakes from time to time, which can cause cracks or breakage in your plumbing system.
Many households have toilets that run constantly or sinks that drip 24/7 and this can lead to thousands of wasted gallons of water per year. This is not only an inefficient use of our water, but it is also harmful to the environment and costly for the city and homeowners. Fortunately, most leaks are relatively straightforward to fix, so don’t delay getting help for your leaky pipes or fixtures looked at any longer.
How Does the Water in Burbank Affect Your Plumbing?
Burbank’s residents are lucky in that their city water comes partially from the Colorado River and various reservoirs that deliver safe and great-tasting water. Our water is not as hard as the water used in other parts of the country, but Burbank’s water supply still contains a high enough concentration of hard water minerals to be considered moderately hard on most occasions.
Hard water minerals, like calcium and magnesium, are not harmful when consumed or used in various household chores, but they lead to minor and major inconveniences that are best avoided. In high enough concentrations, hard water minerals can accumulate in pipes over time, constricting water flow and reducing your home’s water efficiency. Plus, hard water can lead to mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances, making them run inefficiently, and can make detergents and soaps less effective.
Many households with hard water find that dishes come out of the dishwasher cloudy, laundry has unsightly yellow stains, and skin and hair become incredibly dry and itchy. These problems can be fixed relatively easily with the installation of a water softener, which exchanges hard water ions with softer ones, usually sodium and potassium. After installation, many of these issues subside relatively quickly, though we may have to descale your pipes and fixtures to restore them to their former glory.
If you already have a water softener, but you still struggle with hard water issues, your water softener may need some maintenance or repairs. Quality water softeners should last about ten years, so if you have had your system for over a decade, it may be time for a replacement.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Burbank?
The average cost for plumbing services in Burbank is about $412, though your actual cost depends on numerous factors. It can range from as low as $115 to as high as $833. The three largest factors that come into play when calculating costs are the size of the job, whether special equipment is needed, and if the job takes place during regular business hours.
Size of Job
Some plumbing jobs are relatively simple and straightforward, only taking an hour or two to resolve. Issues like small leaks or clogs usually don’t require more than one staff member, so these lead to smaller bills. If you are bringing in our plumbers for a larger job, like getting new plumbing fixtures installed, or a job that requires several hours to complete, your bill will be much higher. Sometimes, our plumbers may charge an hourly rate, and other times charge a flat fee. It’s always best to ask for an estimate that will allow us to give you a more accurate assessment of what our services may cost before we begin the work.
Equipment Needed
While most jobs can be completed with nothing more than the tools in our toolboxes, we occasionally run into projects that require much more specialized equipment. In cases where a home experiences septic system failure or needs all new pipes installed, we often have to rent more heavy-duty equipment and bring in more staff. Whenever we have to obtain more specialized equipment for projects, those additional costs will be passed onto you.
Time Needed
If you need plumbing services during the workweek, you will have a much smaller bill than you would if you needed us to fix a burst pipe at 3:00 a.m. or on a weekend. Most plumbers offer emergency services that allow you to get pressing issues fixed by a professional, but these services understandably cost much more than those provided during normal times. At the same time, enlisting the help of a professional in an emergency can save you money in the long run by preventing the problem from getting much worse, leading to more extensive property damage. Some plumbing issues that seem like an emergency can truly wait until regular business hours, but it’s always better to play it safe than be sorry.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Burbank?
Yes, getting better plumbing installed in your home or business can save you money, especially in California! Having better plumbing and fixtures installed in your home can make you use water much more efficiently, potentially leading to hundreds or thousands of dollars in savings on your water bill per year. Plumbing supplies that are made with newer and better materials can also reduce your need to call a plumber for clogs and leaks, which can add up quickly.
In Burbank, residents are also eligible to receive numerous rebates from utility companies for installing more efficient fixtures throughout their homes. You may be entitled to a $40 rebate for replacing an old toilet with a newer, more water-efficient one, and you can get a rebate of up to $1,000 by installing an ENERGY STAR certified natural gas tankless water heater. If you have been looking for an excuse to give your home some upgrades anyway, these rebates make that task all the more accessible for Burbank families.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Burbank vs Hire a Plumber?
In most situations, you or your landlord will be responsible for hiring a plumber to resolve your home’s plumbing issues, but there are some cases where you may need to contact the water utility company instead. If, for example, you notice sewage backups into public roads, fire hydrant leaks, or other water issues on public property, you should contact Burbank Water and Power‘s emergency line at (818) 238-3778.
Aside from those specific scenarios, you will be the one that has to hire a plumber to fix your plumbing issues. If we find that your plumbing issue does stem from a city water main or other water supply issue, we can contact the right people to get the problem resolved. In many cases, we will be able to fix the problem on the spot.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Burbank?
The City of Burbank requires homeowners to apply for a permit when adding new plumbing fixtures or rearranging a home’s plumbing system for a renovation. You will likely need a permit when getting new lawn sprinklers, bathtubs, water heaters, pipes, and more installed that alter your plumbing system in some way. If you simply need a repair on your home’s current plumbing system, like a small leak fixed or clog snaked, you probably won’t need a permit from the city.
Most homeowners don’t stay up to date with knowledge on new regulations and local ordinances, but our plumbers know what kinds of jobs require a permit and which ones don’t. We can even help you fill out the paperwork when you apply to avoid errors. Nobody enjoys applying for a permit or getting a city inspection, but it’s a vital step in the process of keeping you and your family safe by ensuring that your home’s systems will work properly and won’t create a hazard.
Going through the right steps to get a permit is also important because your homeowners insurance may refuse to pay for damages that are caused by unpermitted work, and it can cost a fortune to redo the work to bring it up to code if you wish to sell your house later on.