Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Palm Desert?
- 2 How Does the Water in Palm Desert Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Palm Desert?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Palm Desert?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Palm Desert Vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Palm Desert?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Palm Desert?
Residents of Palm Desert can expect some of the same plumbing problems as people in other cities in the country. The most common plumbing issues all homeowners see are drain clogs, dripping faucets, a toilet that runs continuously, and clogged toilets. However, Palm Desert homeowners also encounter some unique plumbing issues including:
Earthquake Damage
The Coachella Valley experiences frequent seismic activity, and those tremors can have a devastating effect on the plumbing in your Palm Desert home. As the ground shakes, it causes the pipes in your home to shake, as well. As a result, the pipe connections and fixtures can loosen, increasing the risk of water leaks. If the shaking is extreme or the pipes are compromised, to begin with, breaks can occur. Earthquakes can also disrupt the underground pipes in your yard, causing breaks and leaks.
Earthquakes can and do happen at all hours of the day and night. It’s important to stay alert and to pay attention to warnings and official notices. You should also have an earthquake emergency procedure in place so you and your family stay safe when the shaking begins. Take action to protect your plumbing by securing your water heater, so it doesn’t fall over during a quake, and have your plumbing regularly inspected to help mitigate the damages.
Water Pressure Issues
The water that’s pumped into your Palm Desert home from the Desert Water Agency ranges in pressure from 35 psi to 120 psi. The actual water pressure in your home depends upon the elevation of the reservoir and your home’s elevation. You could experience issues with low water pressure if your home is higher than the reservoir and high pressure if it’s lower.
Low water pressure makes it difficult to rinse the shampoo from your hair, harder to get dishes clean, and it can affect the way your appliances work. If the water pressure in your home measures 80 psi or more, the force of the water can cause leaks, burst pipes, and other plumbing problems. It’s recommended that you have a pressure regulator installed to keep the pressure at a proper level.
Mold and Mildew Issues
You may not think that mold and mildew are plumbing issues, but the truth is, they are. Both mold and mildew require moisture to grow and reproduce, and that usually comes from an uncontrolled plumbing leak. Unfortunately, leaks don’t always happen where they can be seen. In fact, most plumbing leaks occur inside walls and other hidden spaces where they can go unnoticed for long periods of time.
We see the effects of mold and mildew issues all the time in Palm Desert, and we know that it’s important to take action to stop the leak right away. Otherwise, you risk health issues like allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. Plus, the mold and mildew cause your home to have a musty odor that can permeate fabrics and other porous materials.
How Does the Water in Palm Desert Affect Your Plumbing?
According to the Desert Water Agency, the drinking water you receive comes from the Indio Subbasin of the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin. This is a natural reservoir that holds water beneath the valley floor until it’s needed. In addition, drinking water is obtained from Chino Creek, Falls Creek, Snow Creek, and the Whitewater River. Due to its natural origins, the water here does contain suspended minerals like calcium and magnesium, which means it’s considered hard water.
While there are no health concerns about drinking hard water, it can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing. The biggest issue we see with hard water is that the minerals build up inside pipes and fixtures. Over time, the flow of water is restricted and may even be completely cut off. Hard water can also cause problems for your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and icemaker, clogging the lines and limiting efficiency.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Palm Desert?
The cost of plumbing repairs in Palm Desert varies, and we can’t say exactly what your plumbing bill will be without performing an inspection. However, you can expect to pay somewhere between $45 and $200 an hour for plumbing services in Palm Desert, or an average total cost of around $450 in the State of California. A few of the things that will be considered when calculating your plumbing bill include:
Cost Factor 1: How Much Work Needs to Be Done
The amount you’ll have to pay for plumbing will depend completely on the volume of work that needs to be done in your home. The longer a job takes, the more expensive it will be due to the time it takes and the amount of labor that’s involved. If you only need a fixture or two replaced, your plumbing bill will be much lower than if your home’s entire plumbing system needs to be redone.
Cost Factor 2: Where Is the Plumbing Problem?
Plumbing issues that are hidden inside walls, in crawl spaces, and other tight areas are more difficult to find and repair. We’ll have to inspect the plumbing, locate the issue, and figure out the best way to make the repairs to minimize damage and costs. Therefore, the bill is going to be higher for hidden issues than if the problem is under a sink or somewhere else that’s very easy to access.
Cost Factor 3: Outdoor Plumbing Problems
Slab leaks, sewer line leaks, and water inlet issues are all much more difficult to diagnose and repair than plumbing issues in your home. Heavy equipment and additional labor are almost always necessary in order to reach the underground pipes. The pipes are much larger, heavier, and more difficult to work with. These factors make outdoor plumbing much more dangerous and expensive to undertake.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Palm Desert?
Leaks in your Palm Desert plumbing are not just an annoyance; they waste water and increase your water bill every month. Corroded, mineral-lined pipes decrease the water flow, which can cause your water appliances to malfunction. Hard water stains your clothing, dries out your skin and hair, and you have to use more soaps, shampoos, and detergents to get everything clean.
Addressing plumbing issues sooner rather than later results in lower repair bills. Taking care of hard water issues will make your clothes last longer, your skin and hair won’t require so many products, and your soaps and detergents will work better and go further. Overall, better plumbing is a good investment that will help you keep more money in your pocket.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Palm Desert Vs Hire a Plumber?
When you see an increase in your water bill, your first instinct is to talk to the Desert Water Agency to find out what’s going on. But, that’s probably not the right call to make. Your water meter measures the amount of water your household is using or being wasted due to a leak. If your water bill is increasing, and you’re not using more water, the cause is likely a leak on your side of the meter. Since the meter is working and you can see the increase in usage, you’ll need the help of our plumbers to take care of it.
Issues that the Desert Water Agency will take care of include leaking water mains on the street, sewer line breaks and leaks, and damaged pipes that are on their side of the meter. Generally, if a water main breaks or the sewer main backs up, you’ll see a big puddle on the street. Check your meter. If it’s not spinning, the issue is on the city’s side. If you’re not sure where the problem is, you can contact the Desert Water Agency and they’ll send someone over to perform an inspection.
When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Palm Desert?
The State of California, and the City of Palm Desert both require household plumbing to meet the 2001 California Plumbing Code. This is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code that’s published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. In order to maintain this strict code, homeowners and contractors are required to obtain a permit to perform certain plumbing jobs including:
- Replacing or Installing a Gas or Electric Water Heater
- Installation of New Plumbing Systems
- Removal and Relocation of Pipes and Fixtures
- Installation of New Showers, Sinks, and Tubs
- Repiping a Home with Lead and Copper Pipes
You’ll need to provide the City of Palm Desert with a written plan for the plumbing work along with the application for the plumbing permit and the appropriate fees. You cannot legally begin work until the permit is approved by the city. Once the permit is approved, you’ll have one year to complete the work before the permit expires. When the plumbing work is completed, you’ll also need to have it inspected, which will be an additional cost. If your permit request is denied for any reason, you can resubmit it, but first, you’ll need to complete the resubmittal form and await approval.
Luckily, our expert plumbers can handle all permitting and inspection scheduling for you.