AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Redlands, CA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Redlands?

Plumbing issues aren’t always uniform in every city. More severe plumbing issues can happen in locations where natural disasters are overly common. 

Clogged Drains

In Redlands, one type of plumbing problem happens more often than others… clogged drains. The reason is this region of Southern California frequently experiences flash floods, causing outdoor drains to clog in mere hours.

General causes of indoor drain clogs come from things like hair or small objects. Other issues can pop up when natural disasters worsen in this California region. For instance, earthquakes and wildfires wreak havoc on plumbing when these events literally hit close to homes in Redlands.

Clogged Toilets or Showers

Other clogs can happen in your Redlands home beyond a simple sink drain clog. Clogged toilets or shower drains are going to happen at one time or another. Some residents attempt to fix these on their own by buying a toilet snake or drain clog products. Avoid buying these since they’re sometimes poorly made and can cause further damage from corrosive materials if you have no experience using them.

Inspections with small digital cameras have become the new technological way to safely diagnose issues like this.

Clogs in Outdoor Sewer Lines

When all your plumbing fixtures act up collectively, it’s probably due to a clogged sewer line outside your home. You might notice your toilet or shower making strange noises when turning on other fixtures in the house.

These incidents point to a main sewer line clog, something inevitable when Redlands experiences its flash floods. Scenarios like this take extra time to fix. Regardless, they are usually seasonal when heavy winter or spring rains happen.

Leaks in Water Pipes

Water pipe leaks are the most common plumbing issue of all. Once a water leak starts, it’s only going to get worse. Many leaks are subtle and slow, with few people in the household initially noticing anything.

Harmful mold and mildew are going to develop in your home if you don’t pay attention. And, of course, if a major leak occurs, flooding could occur somewhere in your house. Any sign of a leak demands a call for a plumbing inspection.

The city of Redlands’ water utility does say they’ll repair water leaks as long as the pipes are on their side of your property. They’ve done this before after the main water line breaks. Otherwise, you’re responsible for leaks if it happens on your property up to your house’s supply line.

Rusted Water Pipes

Living in an older home can mean pipes rusting, potentially changing your water to unwanted brownish or reddish colors. Pipe rust is all too typical and mostly due to decades-long exposure to moisture.

Replacing aging water pipes near homes is common in this region of California due to many systems being close to 80 years old. Redlands and the county have an ongoing effort to replace these pipes through the 2020 CIP Water Pipeline Replacement project. The expedited work is going to help upgrade many water systems and provide more solid pipes to withstand earthquakes.

Old brass pipes are the reason for the replacements, a type of pipe only lasting a decade. Considering those old pipes were installed in the city between the 1930s and 1950s, it’s long overdue.

How do you officially test to see if water pipes are too old in your Redlands home? Check your water pressure to see if it’s too low.

How Does the Water in Redlands Affect Your Plumbing?

While tests on Redlands water show it’s safe to use, other things can happen to your water to create plumbing issues.

Your home water needs to stay soft to prevent it from causing further problems. Hard water is one issue occurring when water accumulates specific minerals like calcium or magnesium. When this gets into your pipes, it all too easily creates clogs. It does this because hard water turns into soap scum after reacting with other residual materials in the piping.

The buildup of mineral scale from hard water is a problem Redlands plumbers see all the time. A water softener is what a plumber uses as a quick fix. Unfortunately, not every homeowner realizes mineral deposits are in their water pipes, even when slow clogs start.

Despite hard water being an overly common water issue, general flooding in Redlands continues to be the biggest plumbing concern. Flooding is an ongoing threat here based on past heavy rain events in this region of California. If your drainage systems don’t work properly, water only becomes a money drainer.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Redlands?

What you pay in the way of plumbing repair here in Redlands depends on the severity of the issue. Most plumbing rates are scale level. This also varies based on what your plumber charges and what they discover after diagnosing the problem.

The average cost for plumbing repair in Redlands is $482, with the lowest being $117 for something basic. On the high end, expect to pay up to $848 for a more complicated job.

Let’s take a look at other cost factors and what they might mean for your pocketbook.

Replacing Your Pipes

Some plumbing jobs go beyond something as basic as fixing a leak. Your pipes may be so rusted that they need an immediate replacement. This could exceed the above maximum bill, depending on how many new pipes need replacing.

Copper pipes usually cost the most. PVC/PEX pipes are usually several hundred dollars less.

Keep in mind this doesn’t include permit fees, inspection fees, or the cost of materials.

Labor

During flash floods in Redlands, a plumbing job could take an entire day to complete. Fixing clogged drains during floods often becomes a protracted and messy job. It might even take more than one day to get everything fully repaired.

That work could take longer if a different disaster occurs and disrupts water lines. Don’t forget Redlands and the surrounding area are also very susceptible to earthquakes. Imagine what could happen if an earthquake breaks a city water line or one of your own.

Most plumbing jobs in normal situations get fixed in a few hours. Still, labor time is a cost factor becoming more connected lately to Mother Nature.

Adding Other Fixtures

You might need more than new pipes. Other materials or fixtures may need replacing just as another plumbing fix is underway. A water heater replacement alone adds to the bill, not including a possible septic system repair job or replacement.

Recycling Plumbing Materials

During major plumbing jobs, disposing of old piping and other removed equipment becomes a necessary part of the repair. Removing a hot water heater, for instance, means finding scrap metal dealers or a recycling center.

Discarding old water pipes also requires extra work. Mr. Blue Plumbing can take your old piping away for recycling if you’re willing to pay a little more.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Redlands?

Upgrading your plumbing saves you money in the long run since it prevents future issues from ever developing. Investing in good plumbing now is worth every dollar considering complex repairs going forward only end up costing more.

If you catch most plumbing issues today, you may never have to worry about piping or fixture replacements in your lifetime. Most plumbing issues can get fixed affordably if paying close attention to what’s happening.

Also, consider your home’s age and any need for plumbing upgrades. Old homes and buildings still exist in Redlands, with many having few fixture additions. While these homes sell for a cheaper price, investing in better water pipes is important if never done. Copper water pipes are a smart investment here since they hold up better in many conditions. PEX/PVC water pipes are also popular and easily expand when a rare Southern California freeze happens.

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Redlands Vs Hire a Plumber?

Plumbing problems sometimes come from nearby water pipes belonging to your Redlands water utility, which is the Redlands Municipal Utilities Department. Should you call them first if you suspect a leak is occurring somewhere in the pipeline?

It all depends on where the location of the leak is. If you call them now, only leaks discovered on their side of your water meter are repaired by them.

One way to scope out a leak is to turn off your water and check your outdoor water meter. Are the numbers on the meter’s panel still turning? If yes, then you have a leak somewhere on your own property. Doing this test saves money because the city of Redlands could charge you for a leak inspection.

Only then should you call a professional plumber since (like most water utilities) Redlands’ water utility won’t repair your own leaks.

After you get your plumbing bill, present it to officials at RMUD. They might give you a bill credit for discovering the leak so fast.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Redlands?

Obtaining permits to do plumbing work in individual cities is sometimes a confusing process. It’s mandatory in most cities to obtain a permit if your plumber does work in any type of dwelling.

Redlands’ laws state any kind of new plumbing being added or replaced requires a permit. This applies specifically to fixtures, water heaters, and sewer lines.

Go through their Building & Safety Division first to get a thorough inspection of your home or building. Once approved, the B&SD will be the ones to help you obtain the permits you need in-person or online.

The permit has to be in line with California Plumbing Code, which is always worth a thorough read.