Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Corona?
- 2 How Does the Water in Corona Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Corona?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Corona?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Corona vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Corona?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Corona?
For the most part, Corona homeowners experience the same plumbing issues as people across the country do. We regularly get calls for clogged drains and toilets, leaking faucets and showerheads, and low water pressure issues. But, there are some unique plumbing problems that Corona residents experience that aren’t necessarily an issue elsewhere, including:
Seismic Activity
One of the most significant plumbing issues that Corona homeowners face are leaks caused by seismic activity. During an earthquake or aftershock, your home’s pipes move along with the earth, and that can loosen connections, cause cracks, and generally disturb the integrity of your plumbing. Leaks caused by this type of movement can happen inside the walls and ceilings and under floors where they’re tough to spot. We know all the spots to check for leaks and the best way to fix them fast.
It’s pretty standard in cities like Corona for several homes to share the same water mainline. Sharing the same water mainline can cause low water pressure issues, making it difficult for you and your family to get the water you need to take care of personal hygiene and cleaning. The problem worsens during peak hours when more fixtures are demanding water from the pipe. Installing a larger water main may help ease the water restrictions and make it easier for everyone to get the water they need.
Underground Pipe Breaks
Like the plumbing pipes and fixtures inside your home, the underground water inlet pipes and sewer lines are susceptible to breaking. Generally, the cause of breaks is seismic activity, but other factors can damage your pipe. For example, driving a vehicle or heavy equipment over an underground pipe can cause it to fracture and leak. Low or no water pressure can indicate an underground water inlet break. Water and sewage backing up into your yard are signs of a sewer line break.
Old, Outdated Plumbing
Homes with old plumbing may have lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solders. When drinking water flows through the pipes, it comes in contact with lead, and the water can be contaminated. Lead is a severe problem for children under six and pregnant women. If your home has lead in the pipes or solder, it’s necessary to replace them with a safer alternative like PVC pipes. This process can be expensive, but it’s vital to protect your children from the effects of lead poisoning.
How Does the Water in Corona Affect Your Plumbing?
Corona’s water primarily comes from city-operated potable groundwater wells. In addition, the city purchases water from Metropolitan Water District, which gets the water from the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct. Standards consider the water provided by these sources hard to very hard with a measurement of 291 PPM of suspended minerals.
Hard water deposits inside pipes and fixtures cause low water pressure issues, slow drains, scale build-up in water heaters, and inefficiencies in other water appliances. It will also leave stains on your laundry and spots on glassware, fixtures, and other surfaces.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Corona?
The average cost of a plumber in Corona is somewhere between $65 and $93 per hour, or a total of around $450. The more complex the job is, the more you’ll pay. In addition to the hourly rate, you’ll also have to pay for parts and materials. Some of the factors that will also come into play when calculating your plumbing bill include:
Cost Factor: How Extensive the Repairs Are
The most significant factor in your final plumbing bill is how much time and energy it will take to complete the work. A simple fixture replacement won’t take much longer than an hour. Extensive repairs or replacements of pipes and fixtures, on the other hand, can take days or even weeks to complete. The duration of these repairs is especially true when an earthquake has damaged the pipes, which can rattle every connection in your home.
Cost Factor: Where the Plumbing Problem Is
Generally speaking, the easier it is to get to the plumbing problem in your Corona home, the less expensive it’s going to be to repair. So, replacing your kitchen faucet won’t cost you nearly as much as repairing a leak that’s inside a wall. Likewise, repairing your indoor plumbing is almost always cheaper than underground plumbing repairs outside your home.
Cost Factor: Material and Supply Costs
Beyond labor and time, a high cost for plumbing repairs is materials and supplies. Prices can vary widely, depending on demand and availability. When there is high demand for materials and supplies, the cost will be higher than low demand periods. In addition, you’ll pay more for premium parts and fixtures than you would for standard versions.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Corona?
Keeping your Corona home’s plumbing well maintained is a good idea for several reasons. First, it will save you money by reducing the number of repairs you’ll have to pay for in the future. Having your plumbing inspected by our specialists regularly can resolve small leaks and other potential issues before they become major plumbing problems.
Better plumbing can also protect your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater from the harmful effects of hard water. Addressing hard water issues can also save you money in other surprising ways. Resolving hard water problems will decrease the amount of laundry soap, dish detergent, shampoo, and conditioners that your family needs to use. Plus, fewer minerals in the water means your clothes stay new looking longer, so you don’t have to shop as often.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Corona vs Hire a Plumber?
If you suspect a water leak or other plumbing issue in your Corona home, who should you call to take care of the problem? Most people would probably think that our plumbers are always the right call, but this isn’t always the case. Not sure whether it’s something the Corona Department of Water and Power should handle? Here’s how you can tell:
Water Bill Increases
If your water bill is going up, you might think the Department of Water and Power is the right choice. But, this isn’t necessarily the case. Because the water meter is working, that means there’s a leak somewhere on your side, and it’s your responsibility to have it fixed.
Outside Leaks
Outside leaks can be tricky because the city of Corona is responsible for the sewer lines and water mains before they connect to your property. However, a leak outside your home doesn’t mean it’s a problem they’ll handle. If you turn off the water to your home and the meter still spins, it’s on your side and, again, your problem.
No Meter Spin
If a puddle is forming in your yard or on the street near your home, turn off the water and take a look at the meter. If your water meter isn’t spinning, it’s on the other side. That means the Department of Water and Power is going to be responsible for making the repairs.
Water or Sewer in the Street
In most cases, water flowing onto the street and backed-up city sewer lines are not your responsibility. If you see evidence of a broken water main or sewer line, the best thing is to call the City to report the problem. If the City determines that the issue is on your side of the system, then you can call us for professional service.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Corona?
California has strict requirements for plumbing and other construction activities. These requirements are in place to protect the residents’ health, safety, and well-being. Our plumbers can do plumbing work for you, but the City may require a permit in certain circumstances.
You’ll need to get a plumbing permit from the City of Corona for some types of plumbing work, including:
- When you’re installing a new water heater or replacing a water heater.
- Replacing lead pipes and copper pipes with lead solder.
- Repairing and replacing underground water inlet pipes and sewer lines.
- Remodeling projects that require moving plumbing pipes and fixtures.
- Installation of new sinks, toilets, shower stalls, and bathtubs.
- Anytime you’re installing new plumbing during the construction phase.
Building permits for plumbing work vary in price, depending upon what our plumber is doing. The fees for plumbing permits are on a per-fixture basis, and you’ll also have to pay for an inspection after our plumber completes the work. The minimum fee for a plumbing permit is $110, which just covers a plan check or inspection, regardless of how much the individual components of the permit cost. So, even if your total comes to less than $110, the clerk will round the figure up to meet the minimum charge.
When applying for a building permit for plumbing to the city of Corona, you’ll also have to include a plan for the work, which must be approved before you can begin. We handle the permits and inspections for all the plumbing jobs we do in Corona, so you don’t have to worry about it.