AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Yucaipa, CA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Yucaipa?

The Mediterranean climate brings extremely hot temperatures to the region in the summer months, sometimes exceeding highs of 114ºF. The average low temperatures dip to 40ºF in the winter months, and rainfall is minimal, with approximately 23 inches of annual precipitation.

While frozen pipes are not typically an issue in Yucaipa, excessive heat can damage plumbing pipes exposed to the elements. The hot weather can also cause cracks in a water main buried underneath your home. As the ground dries and the soil shrinks, the house settles, leading to potential leaks and cracks in the plumbing system.

Lightning storms can also cause damage to copper piping. If lightning strikes nearby your home, it can create small pinhole leaks that the homeowner may not even be aware of.

Some common issues found in Yucaipa, as in other parts of the country, include clogged drains, burst pipes, cracks in a water heater, and grease buildup inside pipes. A smelly drain could be a sign that you have a sewage block that needs to be addressed before it develops into a bigger problem.

Determining where the leak is coming from is half the battle. We can help you develop a plan for routine maintenance that will eliminate leaks before they turn into costly problems.

How Does the Water in Yucaipa Affect Your Plumbing?

According to the Annual Water Quality Report from the Yucaipa Valley Water District, all drinking water quality standards were met based on 1,500 samples collected throughout the year. There was no evidence of “forever chemicals” in the drinking water source.

As part of a new initiative, surplus water will be directly injected into the ground to be retrieved for later use. The New Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells are currently being tested with hopes of widespread use in the near future.

The amount of lead and copper metals found in Yucaipa drinking water supplies are well within limits and do not present a health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency enacted the Lead and Copper Rule to control the amount of lead and copper found in the nation’s water supply. Both elements can lead to corrosion of pipes, resulting in devastating damage to residential plumbing systems. If lead is higher than 15 ppb, action must be taken immediately to correct the problem. In Yucaipa, the results were 0.2 in 35 of the water samples taken.

You may notice spots on your glassware, dishes, and shower doors. That’s because the water in Yucaipa is hard, containing high levels of calcium and magnesium. While not harmful to drink, it does leave a residue that some homeowners find annoying. A water softener can alleviate the problem, and we can help you get one installed in your home.

Aside from the inconvenience of having soap scum, hard water can cause problems with your household plumbing system. Over time, calcium carbonate deposits buildup in residential water heaters. The efficiency reduces, costing more to regulate the proper water temperature. Hard water also creates scale buildup inside of pipes, reducing water movement.

If you are experiencing low water pressure, your pipes may be the victim of calcium buildup. Give us a call, and we can provide you find solutions to get your water running freely again.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Yucaipa?

The average cost for plumbing repairs in Yucaipa ranges between $120 and $840. Several factors influence the final bill.

Scope of Job

Our plumbers determine their price based on the amount of time the job will take to complete, the amount of labor involved, materials and supplies needed, necessary permits and associated fees, state and local taxes, and difficulty of the task.

Every job will be different, and we will do our best to give you a fair and accurate price before starting any work.

Ease of Access

If pipes are hidden behind walls, buried underground, or located in crawl spaces, they will be harder to access. As a result, the labor cost involved in completing the job will be higher.

Pipes and sewer mains in basements that are easy to reach will take less time for us to repair or replace, resulting in lower overall costs.

Level of Urgency

If a pipe breaks in the middle of the night or your house is flooding from a water main break, contact us immediately. You obviously have an emergency on your hands that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment. We have on-call professional plumbers available 24 hours a day for emergency assistance. There will be a premium surcharge for this service, but sometimes it just cannot be avoided.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Yucaipa?

Residents can experience higher than usual water bills for varying reasons. Landscape watering, swimming pools, and leaky faucets may be contributing to increased water usage in your home.

With the extreme temperatures in Yucaipa, a swimming pool can lose thousands of gallons of water annually from rapid evaporation. A pool cover can help reduce water loss resulting in lower bills. If you find that you have to fill your pool several times a week, you most likely have a leak in the pool’s structure resulting in excessive water usage.

Leaky faucets, dripping showerheads, and toilets that won’t stop running can also cause water bills to increase. Leaky sprinkler heads, hose bibs, and spigots on the exterior of your home can also be using more water than is necessary.

To find a leak, South Mesa Water recommends turning off all faucets and appliances that use water in your home. Check the residential water meter located at the front of your house or near the sidewalk. Open the plastic covering and look for a red triangle, which is the flow indicator. If it is moving and all water is off, there is a leak somewhere in your home. 

To check for a toilet leak, place food coloring into the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl after 5 minutes, there is a leak. To determine if your main service line has an issue, turn the water shutoff valve off and make sure all faucets inside your home are off. Check the flow indicator on the water meter. If it is moving, then the leak is located between the water meter and the shutoff valve.

If the leak is severe, and you can’t fix the problem yourself, contact us for assistance. It is better to correct the issue now before it turns into a costly repair.

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Yucaipa vs Hire a Plumber?

South Mesa Water Company (SMWC) provides potable water to parts of Yucaipa, with a territory that straddles the San Bernardino and Riverside county line. They can be reached 24 hours a day at (909) 795-2401.

SMWC maintains and repairs all water systems from the street to your residential water meter. A homeowner is solely responsible for any repairs that are necessary beyond the water meter. SMWC cannot assist residents with leaks on customer’s private property. MrBluePlumbing, however, is there for you any time of day or night to handle unexpected issues.

Before calling SMWC for problems concerning water pressure, they recommend checking your house valve, the customer-side valve on your water meter box, the pressure regulator, water softener, and backflow prevention device. If you can’t find the culprit, it is then appropriate to contact SMWC for assistance.

If you are unsure if a utility company is accountable for the problem you are experiencing, give us a call, and we can help you determine the best course of action.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Yucaipa?

The City of Yucaipa requires a permit for bathroom remodeling projects that include removing, replacing, or relocating a shower, tub, or sink.

Any residential kitchen remodel that includes the removal, replacement, or relocation of a sink or dishwasher requires a permit. Before work begins, an application must be submitted.

For homeowners installing a new pool, a site plan must be submitted to the City of Yucaipa when applying for a permit. The Municipal Code defines a pool as any “body of water created by artificial means which is designed, intended for use, or used for swimming or immersion purposes, which has a water depth exceeding 18 inches.” A permit is required for swimming pools that are above and below-ground, vinyl-lined pools, spas, and hot tubs.

If you plan to abandon a pool on your property, you must apply for a permit and request an inspection before backfilling the pool with dirt.

As you can see, there is a lot to learn about the proper care of your residential plumbing system. But, don’t worry. You are not alone, as we are here to help you every step of the way. Together, we can build a stress-free routine maintenance plan for the water and sewer systems in your Yucaipa home.