AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Boulder, CO

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Boulder?

Everybody runs into plumbing issues at one time or another, and Boulder homeowners are no different. We often get calls to repair dripping taps and faucets, backed-up toilets, clogged drains, and garbage disposal issues.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure is not uncommon among homeowners in Boulder. You have to turn the tap all the way to get enough water and your shower doesn’t release as much water as you would like for your bath. Boulder has soft water, which is not without its drawbacks – one of which is that it can cause pinholes in pipes, resulting in low water pressure due to leaks. To be sure whether it’s an internal or external problem, you will have to check if your neighbors are experiencing the same problem. Common culprits for low water pressure include:

• Main valve not completely open
• Water meter valve not completely open
• Clogged pipes
• Issues with your supplier (if your neighbors have the same problem)

Leaky pipes

Boulder is home to several older or historic homes built in the 19th century, which still retain much of their charm. While you may want to soak in the allure of the rich history of Boulder, you may have to tackle leaky pipes that come with old age. If you live in the neighborhood of Mapleton Hill, you may need the services of a professional and experienced plumber to fix the old piping, while still maintaining the charm of your historical home.

Clogged drains

If the sink floods after you wash your hands or brush your teeth, or the bathroom takes forever to drain, you could be facing clogged pipes or drains. Since you can’t access the depths of your home’s plumbing, there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it except call in one of our qualified plumbers. Common causes of clogged drains in Boulder are corrosion of pipes, accumulation of limescale, and letting solid materials flush through the plumbing.

Cheap plumbing

Everyone wants to save a little money whenever it’s possible and may be tempted to cut costs by engaging the services of unlicensed, unprofessional, and inexperienced plumbers. It can be a problem if you are moving into a new home in Boulder and find you have to overhaul the entire plumbing system. Before you buy a home and move in, it’s good practice to determine the system’s quality and check for repairs.

How Does the Water in Boulder Affect Your Plumbing?

Water will affect your plumbing depending on its hardness or softness. Homeowners in Boulder enjoy soft water of about 42mg/L (hard water clocks 61mg/L or more). All credit goes to the City of Boulder that goes well beyond the regulatory requirements by monitoring for over 450 water quality substances including bacteria, disinfection byproducts, basic chemistry, personal care products, radionuclides, nutrients, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, among others.

Soft water is generally desirable compared to hard water, so that’s a plus for residents of Boulder. It interacts better with soaps and detergents, making them perform as intended, resulting in less soap and detergent required to get things done. Soft water is also friendlier to your hair and skin and is able to rinse away shampoo and soap more effectively. It also does not have any minerals that can stick to your skin and scalp and absorb moisture. Soft water is highly recommended for people with sensitive skin issues. 

Overall, it is safer for your plumbing, but due to its lack of minerals, soft water picks up more unwanted elements from your pipes, such as lead, potentially causing pinholes in your plumbing system. It is also less ideal to drink as it contains more sodium, which is generally not ideal for your health and alters the taste of your water.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Boulder?

One of the first things that will be on your mind when reaching out to us will probably be how much we will charge for our services. While there’s no magic formula to help you determine the amount of money we will charge, knowing that plumbers in Boulder charge an average of $29.24 per hour might make you feel better. The average price paid for plumbing work in Boulder, CO is $380, with an average low price of $92 and an average high of $668.

But that isn’t all; those figures aren’t cast in stone. Several factors come into play when determining the total cost at the end of the project. Minor repairs will be cheaper because they will take our plumber a matter of minutes to fix, but complex projects may cost more.

Other factors include:

Cost of replacement parts

Plumbing jobs aren’t likely to attract flat rate charges because you may have to factor in the cost of replacement parts if they are needed. For example, our plumber may need to replace whole sections of broken pipes that are beyond repair or a few sinks and faucets. You would have to pay more than if we didn’t need to replace anything.

Labor

The cost of labor depends on the nature of the plumbing task. Time-consuming and complicated jobs will cost you more. If we have to dig into the ground to fish for the broken pipe or spend hours in the ceiling rectifying overhead pipes, you certainly will have to pay more.

Urgency of the plumbing project

You would do well to avoid emergencies because they will cost you more than fixes applied at regular hours. Incidents requiring urgent attention (such as your bathroom flooding in the middle of the night) will force you to get our plumbers out of their warm blankets and rush to the scene. Instead, arrange for proactive inspections to help you identify potential problems and schedule repairs.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Boulder?

The best plumbing job needs much more than contacting the first plumbing company that shows up at the top of the search engine results or one with a fancy name.

The biggest mistake a Boulder homeowner can make is to go for the cheapest plumber. While we all want to save money for a rainy day, inordinately cheap plumbing services will cause more harm than good. For example, an inexperienced plumber may go around your house twisting taps and knocking on pipes in the name of identifying trouble spots, and cause more damage to your property.

Also, cheaper services mean the plumber will use inferior tools and materials to complete the job. They may also rush the project and miss critical aspects of your plumbing. You may save a few dollars today, but spend much more a few days later when you have to call in an expert to rectify the blunders committed by the amateur.

For these reasons, get in touch with a knowledgeable, professional, and experienced plumbing service provider in Boulder like us. Our plumbers have all the necessary tools and expertise needed to diagnose your plumbing issues correctly and apply the relevant measures accordingly. We may not be the cheapest, but we will do the job right the first time, and that will save you thousands of dollars down the line.

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

Not all plumbing issues require you to speed out of your home in search of a plumber. Some plumbing tasks are beyond the scope of professional plumbers and need the intervention of your water utility company in Boulder.

So, how do you know whether you should hire us or call your water company in Boulder?

Leakages and water pressure issues may require the attention of one of our plumbers or the City of Boulder to fix, depending on where they occur and who they affect. In simple terms, if you realize that the water pressure in your house is lower or higher than normal, it’s time to pay a few neighbors a visit. If they are experiencing the same problem, call Boulder Water.

If you happen to be the only one experiencing water pressure problems, you have an internal problem that our professional plumbers can fix. The culprits could be the meter or main inlet valves that are not fully open. It could also be a case of clogged pipes, which you can expect Boulder Water to fix for you. If you have a leakage, call us if they occur in your house; call the water department if the underground pipe across the street seems to be broken.

It’s also quite convenient if you know who to call between us and the water company because it would save you time and embarrassment of calling the wrong person to your home. You can be sure the City of Boulder won’t take it lightly if they have to rush to your house, truck and everything, only to find you have a dripping tap.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Boulder?

Permits are a convenient way for the government to ensure that everyone stays within city codes when carrying out plumbing work in their homes. These codes aren’t meant to make your life difficult in this popular city with award-winning breweries and a stunning blend of cityscapes and mountainscapes. They ensure you live in a safe environment and protect you from avoidable or unnecessary hazards.

So long as they require replacements, any plumbing work that involves plugging leaks in drains or working on any concealed drain pipe, trap, or vent pipe calls for a permit. Minor repairs such as replacing taps, faucets, or sinks do not require permits.

It may be a daunting task to determine what needs a permit and what doesn’t, but a professional plumber will let you know if the due repairs require licensing. We have the experience and professional training that equips us with everything we need to know about plumbing and its legal requirements.