Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Palm Springs?
- 2 How Does the Water in Palm Springs Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Palm Springs?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Palm Springs?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Palm Springs Vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Palm Springs?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Palm Springs?
Clogging is one of the most notable common issues in Palm Springs and Coachella Valley at large. The Coachella region has seen an influx in clogging problems over the past few years as more people continue to flush tissues and other solid items into the drains.
The city District Director of Communications and Conservation, Katie Evans, says that the district treatment plant has been dealing with flushable wipes, among other solid items that cause the clogs.
Another common plumbing issue in Palm Springs is low water pressure. Though the water suppliers pump water at high pressure, most residents experience low-pressure issues due to the effects of shared main water supply valves, rust, and water leaks. Most of the leaks come from seismic activity, corrosion from Palm Springs’ hard water, poor installation, or the use of low-quality plumbing materials.
Previously mentioned were most common issues, but sometimes, homeowners do experience the following issues as well:
- Leaking water heaters
- Broken water lines
- Burst pipes
Note: seismic activity in Palm Springs can often cause plumbing issues to old or poorly-maintained homes. As such, we highly advise homeowners to install earthquake shut-off valves for the gas lines and promptly repair any lines damaged by earthquake activity.
How Does the Water in Palm Springs Affect Your Plumbing?
Most Palm Springs residents get water from the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). CVWD supplies the water it gets from groundwater, recycled water, the Colorado River through the Coachella canal, or imported water from the State Water Project.
Usually, the water is safe for human consumption and other uses. However, the water contains salty content, considering that its primary sources are underground. The minerals include calcium and magnesium, which do not cause severe health effects, but rather, facilitate corrosion.
Salty water corrosion affects all metal pipes made of iron, steel, and copper. The long-term effects of corrosion that most homeowners in Palm Springs experience include:
- Copper pipes turning greenish-blue
- Peeling or flaking of the copper plumbing pipes
- Discolored water, usually tinted brown due to the effects of rust
- Metallic water taste due to the oxidation
- Minimal water pressure, which happens when the salty content sticks on the pipes’ walls and reduces the pipes’ diameter
- Reduced appliance efficiency because the salty content reduces the efficiency of the normal operations of washing machines, dishwashers, and other home appliances, resulting in excessive energy use
If you notice any of these signs, contact us to avoid water leaks due to excessive corrosion. Also, cover exposed pipes to prevent the effects of hard water on your plumbing systems.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Palm Springs?
Cost is a vital consideration for everyone looking forward to installing or repairing a faulty plumbing system. Homeowners here spend around the same as the national average for plumbing costs, which range from $175 to $480. The cost of hiring a plumber starts from as low as $90.
The exact cost that you pay entirely depends on your location, the type of plumbing work, and several other things. Here is a brief discussion of the most vital factors that affect the cost of plumbing in Palm Springs:
Nature of the Service
Our plumbers consider the nature of the service first before providing a cost estimate. For instance, the price for doing minor pipe repair can be lower compared to the price of doing an entirely new installation.
The common plumbing services in Palm Springs include unblocking drains, repairing leaks, installing water heaters, adjusting the sewerage pipes, etc. The price will depend on the scope of your desired services.
Complexity of the Plumbing Issues
Some plumbing services are more difficult than others. A good example is a new gas line installation, which would call for more costs compared to a dripping faucet repair. When the plumbing task is complex, our plumbers spend a lot of time on the project, increasing the overall costs.
Also, more complex plumbing tasks consume more materials and increase the costs. Before starting the project, we will assess the complexity of your project and give you the best price estimate.
Urgency
The urgency of the task is a major contributing factor to the overall plumbing tasks. Most plumbers offer regular plumbing services during daytime working hours. The prices for such services are usually lower.
However, emergency plumbing services can call for higher price quotes, mainly if they fall under our plumbers’ non-working hours.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Palm Springs?
Yes, better plumbing can save you substantial amounts of money. Here are ways you can save money by simply working with a great plumber in Palm Springs:
Preventative Maintenance
The cost of repairing plumbing problems can be high, but preventative maintenance can help you avoid such costs. Here are the main types of preventative maintenance services that we can offer to save you substantial amounts of money:
- Sewer line inspection- The cost of sewer line inspection can be low, but it can help you avoid dealing with many sewer drainage issues. We use high-quality drain pipe cameras to locate the hidden leaks and learn more about the sewer lines.
- Leakage inspection- Water leaks are responsible for almost 10,000 gallons of water wasted every day. We inspect your pipes for any leakages, to ensure that you don’t incur the costs of excessive water leakage.
- Drain cleaning and unclogging- These services can prevent the need to have costly hydro-jetting done in the future.
Long-Lasting Solutions
Better plumbing offers longer-lasting solutions, saving you the costs of hiring our plumbers every time. Besides, well-maintained plumbing systems are not prone to failure, and this gives you peace of mind, knowing that you won’t deal with corrosion and similar plumbing issues.
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance ensures that you have minimal plumbing problems and maximum water supply in your house. Our plumber replaces or fixes the corroded pipes, if any, and checks on every other fixture to ensure that you have enough water all the time.
Also, our plumber ensures that your appliances such as the water heater are in excellent condition so that your water bills don’t escalate.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Palm Springs Vs Hire a Plumber?
Sometimes, it can be hard to know whether you will engage our plumbers or a Palm Springs water utility firm whenever you experience plumbing issues in your home. Here is a summary of when to call us or a water utility firm:
Plumber
Our plumbers offer help when you have drain clogs, dripping faucets, water heater issues, lower water pressure issues, escalating water bills, or frozen pipes. In most cases, you will need the help of our plumbers if you have a water supply issue, yet all your neighbors are unaffected. You should always confirm with your neighbors before deciding to call us or water utility firm.
Water Utility Company
Water utility firms can help you when water leaks along the street or on any public ground. This is because the water utility firms are responsible for fixing or installing pipes in public areas in Palm Springs. You can also call them when many people in your estate have the same water supply issue because the problem could be on the main supply. Lastly, you can rely on the water utility firm if you need special information regarding the water supply in your apartment or neighborhood.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Palm Springs?
There are some plumbing projects which require a permit in Palm Springs, most of which are considered to be risky, or those which make significant changes to the ground, such as the sewer replacement project.
Some plumbing tasks are hooked directly to the municipal water supply, and that is why it is essential to have the permit. Before you repair or install something to your plumbing systems, you should first confirm with our plumbers or the city council if you need a permit. Here are some changes that might need a permit:
Sewer or Drainage Repair and Installation
The process of changing a sewer or drainage line requires multiple changes, which might be interruptive to other people and property. You need a permit before you start the work, to avoid legal issues.
Gas Line Repair or Installation
Gas lines require careful handling. Besides, some gas lines supply gas to many houses, hence the need for a permit.
Water Heater Replacement
The process of replacing a water heater may seem minor, but you might need a permit for it. Mostly, this is true in cases where you need to install an earthquake strapping for the water heater.
It can be hard to figure out which projects need a plumber in Palm Springs, and that is why we recommend our services. We can advise and possibly help you in applying for the permit. Nevertheless, the permit application process is not time-consuming, so it will not interfere with the scheduling of your plumbing project.