AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Lancaster, CA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lancaster?

Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert in Southern California. The city is only about 70 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and near the Kern County Line. It is separated from the Los Angeles Basin by the San Gabriel Mounties and from Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley by the Tehachapi Mountains. 

Today, Lancaster is home to major defense contractors such as Boeing and BAE Systems and governmental agencies such as NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. However, even though the area is constantly seeing growth in tourism and population, the area is not without its faults, especially when it comes to Lancaster’s plumbing. Fortunately, there are things that homeowners can do to prevent these plumbing problems from exploding into significant issues, as long as they understand the common plumbing concerns in the area and signs that can indicate they need plumbing help. 

Drain Clogs

A clogged drain is one of Lancaster’s most common plumbing issues and can often lead to severe problems if this long-term buildup is not taken care of. Clogged showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets are often the most common areas where these clogs develop, and they are often due to grease, hair, dirt, food particles, and other insoluble items. Lancaster has significantly hard water, and mineral deposits can also contribute to clogs in your fixtures.

For these reasons, homeowners must check on their pipes regularly to make sure they remain clean. Otherwise, it can become an expensive issue for homeowners to fix. 

Low Water Pressure

If water is trickling out of your faucet, it can mean you have a severe low water pressure issue. Typically, people living in older houses can face this problem, as they generally develop from a leak in a pipe or a mineral deposit buildup in the aerators. California’s hard water can contribute to low water pressure by blocking a portion of your inner piping after years of buildup.

A Running Toilet

A running toilet is not only an annoying problem, but it can also be costly. Usually, you may experience a running toilet problem where the flapper valve is not working properly. A flapper valve often controls the water that flows from the toilet tank to the bowl. In addition, these toilet issues can also stem from sediments that affect the filling and the flushing. 

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can be a significant problem for Lancaster residents, often resulting in severe home damage, including destruction to the carpets, floors, furniture, and ceilings. Plus, this extra moisture can encourage mildew and mold, increasing the plumbing repair bills and impacting the homeowner’s health and safety. 

Although there are many causes that can result in leaky pipes, galvanized piping is often a top reason, especially in Lancaster, where this type of piping is common. Hundreds of homes in Lancaster were initially built using this old, obsolete galvanized piping. A galvanized pipe is an iron water pipe that is coated with zinc for corrosion protection. Yet, over the years, this zinc coating has been known to erode and expose the iron. That is why Lancaster residents need to look out for signs of corrosion, which often include a brownish tint in the sink water, a drop in the water pressure, or damage to water-using appliances. 

How Does the Water in Lancaster Affect Your Plumbing?

California’s water is controlled by the state’s government, with most of the water being supplied in Southern California by three major water projects — the State Water Project, the Colorado River Aqueduct, and the Central Valley Project. 

However, it is also important to add that California’s water is considered to be hard to very hard, with the average water hardness ranging from 100 to 300 PPM. Although many people enjoy drinking this hard water for its health benefits and taste, it has been known to result in major issues to the plumbing system. When pipes experience repeated exposure to hard water, they can face limescale buildup, which will eventually clog the pipes and cause the water quality in the home to drop. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lancaster?

The price of plumbing in Lancaster can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, with most plumbing jobs in the area costing homeowners around $500. But since there are numerous factors that can affect the total cost of the job, homeowners should be aware of these factors so they can have a good understanding of what their plumbing repair will cost them. 

Cost Factor: The Labor Costs 

Labor costs are one of the most significant factors when it comes to a plumbing bill. For instance, if you require emergency services, the price of our plumbing services will be much higher than most scheduled repair visits. Yet, even though these prices may cause you to second guess yourself from getting the work done. Do not let them. These services are essential in preventing future harm due to water damage such as rot or mold. 

On the other hand, if you do not require emergency services, the average plumbing costs will depend on the plumbing work you need. For example, fixing a leaky pipe or a running toilet will often be cheaper than a plumbing project that requires the installation of a new water heater, simple because it takes less time to complete.

Cost Factor: Job Difficulty

Another factor you should consider is the complexity of the plumbing job. Most plumbing jobs often include common issues such as a leaky pipe or clogged drain, which our experienced plumbing professionals can take care of quickly. There are some jobs that consist of significant plumbing overhauls that can increase your plumbing bill significantly. This is often because these jobs take many hours to complete and require expensive parts that can increase the job’s overall cost. 

Cost Factor: Unique or Costly Plumbing Parts

If you require our plumbers to fix a clogged drain, they will likely have the tools needed to take care of the issue quickly. However, if the job is more complicated and requires unique replacement parts that our plumber may not have on hand, then you can expect to pay substantially more money as you will be on the hook for the labor costs, as well as paying for these expensive materials. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lancaster?

Fortunately, finding a plumber in Lancaster is easy. All you have to do is grab your phone and Google plumbers in the area. Within seconds, you will have a list of plumbers that say they can take on your plumbing dilemma. However, just because finding a plumber is relatively simple, it does not mean the plumber you find will be qualified and skilled to take on the work. Worse yet, if you let these inexperienced plumbers do your plumbing, it can cause you more issues than were initially present. Ultimately, leaving you with extensive plumbing bills for work that was not done correctly and the stress of finding a qualified plumber to fix all of these plumbing problems. 

That is why, if you are searching for a plumber in Lancaster, do not hire the first person that comes up in your search history. Instead, contact us at Mr. Blue Plumbing, and we’ll send one of our master plumbers with years of experience behind them to fix your problem.

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

If you are a homeowner in Lancaster or are renting a house, at some point, you may develop a water-related issue. During these times, it may be challenging to know if you need to call your water utility company or our plumbers to handle this issue for you. Fortunately, you do not have to stress about this dilemma any longer. We have prepared the following tips to help you understand who you need to call in a plumbing emergency. 

When to Call the Local Utility Company

If you see a water leak on the street because of a water main break, the water in your home goes out, or you see a water leak at a neighbor’s house, but they are not there, then it is imperative to contact the water utility company as soon as possible. These companies will often send their contractors out to verify the problem and quickly take care of the issue. 

When to Call a Skilled Lancaster Plumber

In comparison, if you see your water bill suddenly begin to spike, your sinks or toilets stop draining properly, you notice a water leak inside your home, or your water sewage is backing up into your house, then you need to reach out to our experienced plumbers quickly. We can figure out the problem and take care of the plumbing issue before it escalates into a major ordeal. 

Additionally, since many plumbing problems result from age and wear and tear, it is also good to schedule regular maintenance checks. When our plumbers perform these routine checks, not only do they keep your pipes clear of buildup, but also they can ensure there are no issues with your pipes, which can save you a lot of money in the long run. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lancaster?

Permits are often issued to assure the community that mechanical, electrical, fire, structural, and plumbing codes have been checked, and projects have been inspected. That is why these permits are often necessary when extensive home projects and plumbing work needs to be done.

However, in Lancaster, a plumbing permit is not usually required when:

• Plumbing work is done to stop leaks in soil, drains, waste, or venting piping. But, if any of this piping becomes defective, and it is necessary to remove and replace these parts with new material, a permit will need to be obtained and inspected. 
• Plumbing work needs to be done to clear stoppages, repair leaks in pipes, fixtures, or valves, or involves the reinstallation and removal of water closets. Yet, if these repairs involve replacing or rearranging pipes, valves, or fixtures, a permit may be required.

Because these permits are so dependent on the project, before starting any plumbing work, it is best to contact the city’s permit department and confirm with the inspectors if you need a permit and how to get one if you do.