AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Lakewood, CO

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lakewood?

Lakewood is a large Denver suburb located in Jefferson County. The city is full of entertainment options with parks, theaters, breweries, and the famous Casa Bonita. Lakewood’s development began as early as 1889, with 13 blocks west of Denver along Colfax Ave. New and old homes are a common sight in Lakewood, creating a variety of plumbing issues. Here are some of the most common reasons residents call for a plumber in Lakewood.

Clogged Drains

Slow-draining and clogged drains can be common reasons to call our plumbers in Lakewood. When your drain is clogged, you may be tempted to use one of the many liquid plumbing solutions available at your local hardware store, but these can be hazardous and may not solve your problem. It is best to trust the experts for a safe solution.

Drains can clog for many reasons. Debris from food and grease tend to be common causes of clogged drains around the house. Fat, oil, and grease or FOG should never be washed down the sink as the substances can coagulate as they cool, causing a tough drain blockage. Hard water in Lakewood can also leave mineral build-up in the pipes, which contributes to clogging.

Outdoor drains can also clog, resulting in floods when the snow melts. Our plumbers in Lakewood can unclog your drains quickly with our powerful hydro-jetting service.

Water Heater Repairs

Hot water is a modern convenience and highly valued in cool weather. If your water heater is giving you cold showers, it may be time to call our plumbers in Lakewood. Maintaining and repairing your water heater helps it deliver hot water on demand. Whether your water heater is tankless, electric, or gas, it must be regularly maintained.

Yearly flushing of your water heater prevents deposits from Lakewood’s hard water from building up in the tank and helps the water heater run more efficiently while preventing costly repairs. It also increases the performance and longevity of your water heater.

Frozen Pipes

Chilly Colorado winters can cause pipes that are not protected from low temperatures to freeze. Frozen pipes can leave you without water and cause permanent damage to the plumbing. Our licensed plumbers in Lakewood can prepare your plumbing system for winter with pipe insulation.

Allowing your pipes to freeze can cause cracks and leaks when the pipes thaw, and if the water pressure is high, the pipes can even burst.

Leaks

Leaky pipes are common in homes of all ages, especially in cold climates where pipes may freeze like Lakewood. Pipes can leak from pinhole damage, corrosion, and improper installation. Plumbing fixtures can also leak due to improper installation and age, and Lakewood’s regularly hard water can contribute to leaks as well.

In old homes, plumbing systems can be made of outdated materials such as cast iron, copper, and galvanized steel or iron. These materials have remarkable longevity, but over several decades, they can wear out causing leaks. These leaks can occur throughout the system and may require complete repiping of the plumbing system with a modern material like PVC.

How Does the Water in Lakewood Affect Your Plumbing?

Drinking water in Lakewood is a patchwork of companies serving different water districts. Most of the water in Lakewood comes from some of Colorado’s pristine surface water reservoirs, meaning the water can range in hardness from soft to moderately hard throughout the seasons. While many residents can live with the fluctuating water, those with sensitivity to hard water should consider a water softener.

Lead can also be a problem in some older homes in Lakewood. Homes built before 1978 with galvanized steel or iron plumbing may contain lead, as well as homes with soldered copper pipes installed before 1986. It is important to call our plumbers in Lakewood if you suspect lead in your plumbing system.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lakewood?

Hiring our plumbers in Lakewood can vary in price from around $150 to $750, depending on a few cost factors. Here are some factors to look for when determining how much you’ll pay for your next plumbing job:

Cost Factor 1: Time and Urgency

Certain plumbing jobs can wait, while others require attention right away. When repairs need urgent attention, they can be more expensive than typical repairs. Urgent repairs include major leaks, burst pipes, sewage backups, and frozen pipes. When you have these sorts of repairs, our expert plumbers in Lakewood will respond right away with 24/7 emergency service.

Emergency service comes at a higher cost, but we can respond outside of our normal business hours and rearrange our schedule to reach your home as soon as possible. When waiting can cause costly damage and risk your safety, it is well worth the cost to receive the plumbing repairs you need immediately.

Cost Factor 2: Type of Service

Plumbing services can range in cost due to the time, labor, and supplies needed to accomplish the job. Several simple plumbing fixes can be relatively inexpensive, such as small leaks, dripping faucets, or worn-out toilet flappers. Other repairs require more time and supplies to fix, such as repiping, water heater replacements, and sewage backups.

Installing and replacing plumbing equipment and systems is typically the most expensive, but tends to be a good investment long-term. You can save water and energy by upgrading to an efficient Energy Star water heater, saving thousands over the lifetime of the appliance.

In general, the best way to avoid costly repairs is to have your plumbing system and equipment regularly inspected and maintained. We can avoid equipment failure and major problems with inexpensive cleaning and adjustments of the system. Affordable plumbing maintenance can also improve the performance and longevity of the plumbing system.

Cost Factor 3: Materials

When we repair, replace, or install any plumbing systems, the materials are essential. We need to make sure that the material we are using is compatible with the existing plumbing system.

PVC is the common standard material for modern homes, with a low price point, easy installation, and relatively low maintenance. Homes built before the 1960s may use galvanized steel or iron pipes that may be due for repiping despite their durability. A full repiping can be costly, but it may be necessary if the pipes are corroded and leaky.

PEX is a newer material that has become more popular in recent years. It is ideal for drinking water and hot water lines. It also offers more control and concealment options for the homeowner. PEX is easy to install but is typically more costly than PVC. Copper is another popular choice, but the material is expensive and more difficult to install than PEX or PVC.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lakewood?

Better plumbing is an excellent way to save money. Calling our plumbers in Lakewood for maintenance, repair, and even an upgrade will typically save you money in the long run. For instance, if we stop a simple faucet leak, we can save you 10,000 gallons over the course of a year.

In Lakewood, a single-family household pays $5.50 per 1,000 gallons of water for their first 22,000 per month. The price rises to $8.24 for customers using over 60,000 gallons. This means that a leak could be costing you over the year. Fixing leaks and upgrading your fixtures to flow-regulated fixtures can offset the cost of plumbing service and eventually put money back in your pocket.

Upgrading to products with the EPA WaterSense label means that you’ll save 20% more water than traditional fixtures. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient water heater can also save you on energy expenses. In Colorado, water heating contributes to 19% of the average household’s energy usage.

When you combine the savings from a more energy-efficient water heater with the savings from using less water entirely (less water to heat), you can lower your expenses significantly. Our affordable plumbers in Lakewood can help you improve your plumbing and save money.

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

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide who to call to address a plumbing issue. This guide will go over several scenarios to help you determine if you need to call the water utility company or our plumbers in Lakewood.

The Utility Company

The utility company can help you when you need to start or stop your water service for any reason. They can also assist you with your bill and any problems with your water meter. The water utility company also controls sewage systems and stormwater systems in Lakewood. You can report sewage blockage problems to the utility company and also report issues that require repair or maintenance regarding stormwater management in the city.

Some common reasons you might call the water utility company include incorrect meter readings, improper flow or pressure throughout the entire home (from the meter), or no water at all. The water utility company is also responsible for repairing main leaks and other city plumbing infrastructure.

Plumber

If your plumbing issue is between the water meter and anywhere in your home, our affordable plumbers in Lakewood can likely resolve the issue. We can provide inspections, maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement of all of your home’s plumbing systems and equipment.

Our expertise includes, but is not limited to:

• Repairing leaky pipes and fixtures
• Repiping plumbing systems or sections of pipes
• Maintaining water heaters and softeners
• Replacing fixtures
• Fixing slow or clogged drains
• Insulating and winterizing pipes
• Replacing and installing water heaters
• Installing water-efficient controllers and fixtures
• Toilet repair and replacement
• Garbage disposal repair

Our licensed plumbers in Lakewood have the tools and expertise to solve all of your plumbing issues.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lakewood?

When it comes to plumbing permits, it is best to start on the right track by hiring our licensed plumbers. Our experts know which permits and inspections your plumbing work will need and can help you get the permits or apply for them on your behalf. There are separate plumbing permits in Lakewood for homeowners and contractors with few exemptions.

A plumbing permit is required for any plumbing work not included in the exemptions, including water heater installations. A separate permit is required for each system with plans and valuation including labor and materials.