AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Riverside, CA

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Riverside?

Riverside is less than 60 miles from Los Angeles, situated between San Bernardino, Corona, and Moreno Valley. The booming citrus fruit industry of Riverside has fueled the city for over 150 years, which makes Riverside one of the older cities in California, and contributes to some common plumbing issues.

Old Pipes

Older pipes are more likely to leak or burst than newer pipes. In the early 20th century, galvanized steel and cast iron plumbing fixtures were common. If your home was built before the 1940s, the plumbing is likely made of iron or steel. These materials are strong, but as they age, they are prone to corrosion and rust that may cause leaks.

We receive many calls for old, leaky pipes, whether they are made of PVC or iron. Our plumbers can quickly determine the cause of the leak and stop the leak with a new, fully sealed pipe. If your leak is minor, we can often replace a section of pipe to restore the plumbing to its normal function. Major leaks may require replacement of sections of pipe or the entire plumbing system.

Scaling

Mineral scaling can reduce the efficiency of and damage plumbing equipment like water heaters and water softeners. Due to the hardness of the water in Riverside, many residents have water softeners installed, to reduce calcium content from the tap water and eliminate scaling.

If you don’t have a water softener, your water heater will likely need regular descaling to maintain its performance. Not descaling the water heater can result in a mineral buildup that will cause the heater to run inefficiently, malfunction, and eventually stop working. Scaling also clings to coffee makers, tea kettles, dishwashers, and any vessel that you heat water in.

If you see scaling in your coffee pot or kettle, you are not alone. We receive many calls for our plumbers in Riverside to inspect water heaters and eliminate performance-robbing scaling. We can also inspect the water softener if it isn’t delivering the performance you expect.

Slow or Clogged Drains

Residents often call our plumbers in Riverside when water drains slowly or not at all. A clogged drain can be a nuisance, especially when the drain overflows. Indoor drain clogs may be due to food, hair, grease, and other debris getting caught in the sink, shower, or bathtub drain. It may seem simple to solve these common obstructions with commercial liquid plumber solutions, but our licensed plumbers will remove the clog without any risk to your safety or frustration.

While rainfall averages are low in Riverside, winter and spring showers can cause flash floods. Patio drains and drains along walkways and driveways can be full of mud and debris. We can remove the clog to allow the water to flow down the drain and prevent puddles and ponding on your pavement.

Water Efficiency

The efficiency or inefficiency of your plumbing fixtures and equipment can be a major concern in Riverside, where drought tends to be a problem. California can experience mild to exceptional drought conditions for years in a row, and Riverside is no exception.

When water is scarce, it is important to make sure that your plumbing fixtures are not letting a drop go to waste. Our plumbers in Riverside regularly fix leaks and install high-efficiency WaterSense-approved products, to help our customers get the most out of every drop of water.

How Does The Water in Riverside Affect Your Plumbing?

Although Riverside does its best to ensure the water is safe and healthy to drink and wash with, there are some concerns when it comes to plumbing. The hardness of the water can be substantial in Riverside. Water hardness is the presence of calcium and magnesium in water. It is measured in parts per million compared to the water, and anything above 120 parts per million would be significant.

In Riverside, the average water hardness is 188 parts per million. This level of hardness can make the water look cloudy and can leave a scaly residue in the sink, shower, coffee maker, and kettle. The minerals present in the water can also line pipes and build up inside water heaters. Our plumbers in Riverside work daily to combat the impact of hard water on plumbing systems and water heaters.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Riverside?

The cost of hiring our plumbers in Riverside can vary depending on the type of work, but most jobs cost between $200 and $575. There are three primary cost factors when it comes to plumbing in Riverside.

Plumbing Age

The age of the plumbing can be a deciding factor in the cost of your plumbing job in Riverside. Older homes tend to use outdated steel and iron pipes. While these pipes are incredibly sturdy, they have mostly been phased out by PVC and copper pipes that resist corrosion. An old home may require extensive repairs, and it may be more cost-effective to replace the plumbing altogether.

In a newer home, we expect most of the pipes to be in good condition, even if there is a single leak. Newer pipes are generally less expensive to repair, while older pipes may be more costly to fix than you expect.

Type of Work

The type of plumbing being done can also increase the price of plumbing in Riverside. A replacement can be more expensive than a simple repair, and an entirely new plumbing system can also increase the price.

Many elements fluctuate with the type of plumbing work; time, labor, permits, materials, and transportation can impact the price. We can help you determine the cost of the work and find the most affordable price for the results you expect. Our plumbers can also install energy and water-efficient products that will help you save more money, over the life of the product.

Materials

The plumbing material impacts the cost of installation and replacement parts. While older plumbing systems in Riverside may have cast iron or galvanized steel piping, copper, stainless steel, PVC, and ABS pipes are more common in modern times.

PVC piping is the least expensive plumbing material, copper is the most expensive material, and the other options fit somewhere between the two. Whether you need a single PVC pipe replaced or an entire plumbing system, PVC will be less expensive than copper, stainless steel, or ABS.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Riverside?

Improving your plumbing in Riverside can help you save money on energy, water, and repairs. In 2021, the cost of water per 100 cubic feet ranges from $1.26 to $3.55 for a single family in Riverside, depending on the rate of consumption. It reaches the highest rates during the summer and lowers in the winter. Preventing leaks before they happen with maintenance and fixing leaks quickly will reduce water waste.

Upgrading your standard fixtures and appliances to WaterSense models is another way to reduce water waste and save money. WaterSense plumbing products are 20% more water-efficient than standard products, and the savings will help the products pay for themselves.

Old inefficient water heaters can also contribute a significant amount to your energy costs. We can replace your old water heater with a new Energy Star model that will use less energy and put more money back into your pocket. Water heaters make up 12% of your water heater bill on average. A more efficient water heater can save you thousands of dollars over its lifetime.

When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Riverside Vs Hire a Plumber?

Not sure who to call to get your plumbing issue solved as soon as possible? We can help you determine if you need to get in touch with your utility company or are better off calling our plumbers in Riverside.

Water Utility Company

Your Riverside water utility company delivers safe water to your home, but can they also provide you with solutions? 

If you are moving to a new location and need to have the water service turned on or off, call the water utility company first. While our plumbers in Riverside are ready to solve most of your plumbing problems, turning your water service off and on is best left to the utility company.

You can also count on your utility company when there is a problem with your meter or water rates. If your water bill is skyrocketing without reason, or your meter is suddenly giving you high or low pressure, Riverside Public Utilities can help. A utility worker can verify your meter is working properly and adjust or test your meter.

You can also report a water main leak or a plumbing problem on public property to Riverside Public Utilities.

Plumber In Riverside

If your plumbing issue is not listed above, our plumbers can likely help you solve the issue as soon as possible. We can install, replace, maintain, repair, and inspect a broad range of plumbing fixtures, pipes, and equipment. We provide services to new and old homes quickly and affordably.

The plumbing services we provide include:

• Leak Repair
• Clogged Drain
• Bathtub, Shower, and Sink Installation
• Garbage Disposal Repair and Installation
• Water heater, Softener, and Filtration Repair and Installation
• Toilet Repair
• Plumbing System Replacement
• Washer and Dishwasher Water Supply and Drainage
• And Much More

When you have an urgent plumbing concern, we provide 24/7 emergency service. Our plumbing experts will respond quickly anytime day or night, and we can arrange our schedule to provide you a quick and effective solution as soon as possible.

When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Riverside?

Riverside plumbers like us have codes and criteria that they must abide by to ensure plumbing services are done safely and comply with federal, state, and local standards. Licensed plumbers like ours fully comply with regulations and ensure they have the right permit before they begin any plumbing work.

Riverside requires a permit for almost all plumbing work in the city – that involves repairs, alterations, installations, or removal of any components of the plumbing system. We will submit any plans or drawings to the City of Riverside for approval to ensure the process is as seamless as possible.