AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Santa Clarita, CA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Santa Clarita?

Homeowners in Santa Clarita experience the same types of plumbing problems that people in other areas of the state experience. It’s not unusual for drains to become clogged, faucets to leak, and toilets to run continuously. In addition to these typical plumbing issues, Santa Clarita residents may also experience some unique plumbing problems including:

High Water Pressure

While some people complain that the water pressure in their homes is too low, the opposite can happen in Santa Clarita. The water being pumped into your home generally runs between 30 and 80 psi. In some cases, the pressure can rise above 80, which puts stress and strain on your plumbing. Plus, anything over 80 psi is considered a code violation.

One of the things that high water pressure can do is cause a problem called water hammer. This is an intense knocking sound coming from your plumbing due to the shockwave formed when you turn off a water faucet. Besides being extremely unnerving, water hammers can also cause serious damage to your pipes and fixtures. Installing a water pressure regulator will generally take care of the issue.

Loose Pipes and Fixtures

Santa Clarita is in a fairly active seismic area and earthquakes happen frequently here. Fortunately, the majority of the quakes felt in the city are minor. Even so, when the earth starts shaking and moving, it can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system, both inside the house and underground. 

Movement in your plumbing causes several issues, but the main problem is with the connections. As the pipes shake and move, the connections loosen and leaks are inevitable. All that shaking can also cause fixtures like showerheads and faucets to loosen up, leading to leaks. Underground pipes don’t fare much better and there is a serious risk of breaks occurring in water inlet lines and sewer lines.

Lead and Copper Plumbing Pipes

Drinking water contaminated with lead can cause serious health issues, even if it’s consumed in small quantities. Especially at risk are children under six whose mental and physical development can be affected by lead poisoning. Adults are also at risk, especially pregnant women who may face pregnancy complications if exposed to lead. 

Lead and copper are rarely present in municipal water supplies due to the fact that these materials aren’t used in municipal systems. However, these contaminants both leach into your drinking water through the pipes in your home. Removing and replacing lead pipes and copper pipes with lead solder is the only way to mitigate the risk of lead poisoning for you and your family.

How Does the Water in Santa Clarita Affect Your Plumbing?

About half of the drinking water in Los Angeles County comes from the Sierra Nevada range and eventually works its way into the State Water Project Aqueduct. The rest of Santa Clarita’s water supply comes from groundwater. Like most of the State of California, there are suspended minerals in the water, primarily magnesium and calcium. The levels of these minerals measure right around 127 ppm, which is considered hard water, according to the USGS Water Hardness Scale.

Hard water causes a variety of problems to your home’s plumbing. First, the minerals that are suspended in the water tend to accumulate on the inside walls of your pipes. This causes the water flow to be restricted, ultimately causing the water to not flow at all. Mineral deposits can also affect your water heater, washing machine, ice maker, and dishwasher. Hard water can ruin these appliances, causing you to spend more money.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Santa Clarita?

The cost of plumbing services in Santa Clarita ranges anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour for labor. The average cost of a plumbing job usually falls somewhere between $110 and $850. We can’t really give you an estimate for your plumbing issues without performing an inspection of the problem areas. However, we can tell you that in addition to the hourly labor rate, your plumbing repair bill will be affected by several factors including:

How Big Is the Plumbing Job?

Plumbing repair services are billed based on the complexity of the job and amount of time it takes to make the necessary repairs. As you might suspect, the easier it is to complete the plumbing repairs in your home, the less expensive it will be. For example, if you need a faucet replaced in a bathroom, you won’t pay much more than the hourly rate plus parts. On the other hand, if your plumbing issues involve needing to repipe the entire home due to lead and copper pipes, you’ll have a substantial bill to pay.

Location of the Plumbing Issue

Another factor that we’ll take into consideration when calculating your plumbing repair bill is the location of the plumbing problem. Some things are easy to get to like faucets, sink drains, and the toilet. However, your home’s plumbing is largely hidden in walls, ceilings, floors, and the crawl space. The harder it is to get to the source of the problem, the more time it will take to make the repairs, and the more expensive it will be. In addition to the charges for plumbing, you may also have to pay to have the walls, floors, or ceilings repaired after plumbing work is completed.

Outdoor Plumbing Problems

Your home’s drinking water comes in from the city’s water supply and connects to your home’s plumbing system. Wastewater and sewage make their way back into the city water system via the sewer lines under your yard. If a leak or other issue occurs underground on your side of the system, it will be necessary to dig up the pipes to inspect them and make the necessary repairs. Because this process requires additional equipment and manpower, the cost of outdoor plumbing repairs is typically higher than indoor plumbing.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Santa Clarita?

Your plumbing is largely out of sight, out of mind until there’s a problem. Most plumbing issues can be avoided if you pay close attention and take action when needed. Proper maintenance is essential for all of your home’s systems, including the plumbing. When you have your home’s plumbing fixtures, pipes, and drains regularly inspected, problems can be caught early on. 

Not only does better plumbing save you money in repair bills, but it can also save you money in some other surprising ways. With better plumbing, your appliances will last longer and work more efficiently. When you address your hard water issues, you’ll need to use less shampoo, soap, detergent, and other cleaners, allowing you to save more money. Your hair and skin won’t be so dry and irritated, so you won’t need those expensive lotions and creams.

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

When your home’s plumbing isn’t acting right, who should you call to take care of the problem? Our plumbers might be the right choice, but then again, you may need to get a hold of the water department. Confused? Don’t be. It’s actually easy to tell who you should call based on the problem you’re experiencing.

Water Bill Issues 

Has your water bill been increasing recently? The problem is likely a leak that’s somewhere on your side of the system. You know that because your water meter is still measuring water use, so it isn’t a problem the water department can help you with. Call us for help!

Leaks in Your Yard

A soft, squishy, waterlogged spot in your yard is a sign that there’s a leak somewhere underground. That means it’s a problem for the water company, right? Not so fast. If you turn off the water to your home and the meter still spins, it’s your issue to manage. If the meter doesn’t spin, you need to call SVC Water to fix it.

Water Pouring into the Street

It’s rarely a homeowner’s responsibility to pay for repairs that happen on the city’s side of the system, so broken water mains and sewer lines are often handled by the city. That is, unless the issue is caused by a crack, leak, or break in the lines that are on your side, which would mean you’re responsible. An inspection will clear up the confusion and reveal the responsible party.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Santa Clarita?

Every few years, the City of Santa Clarita alters its building codes and permit process to keep up with the latest advancements and recommendations. However, the need for a plumbing permit rarely changes. You will need to pull a permit for plumbing work that involves replacing a water heater, installing new plumbing such as pipes and fixtures, as well as when you move plumbing fixtures and pipes. If you’re not sure whether your plumbing project requires a permit or not, review the Santa Clarita Building & Safety guidelines for clarification.