AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Fort Pierce, FL

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Fort Pierce?

Throughout our many years of service, we have seen nearly everything there is to see when it comes to plumbing problems. In Fort Pierce, the three most common plumbing problems we see include clogged drains, leaking pipes, and running toilets. 

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains create an instant annoyance, whether they occur in the sink or bathtub, and they can go from mild to severe in a matter of days. Hair, soap, food, and other matters coming together to form a blockage that allows little or no water through usually cause clogged drains. Many people try to ignore clogged drains and hope that they go away on their own, or worse, they use chemical drain de-cloggers that can corrode the pipes and cause more widespread damage. 

Clogged drains can also quickly become a health hazard, as bacteria and fungus love nothing more than a warm and moist environment like your clogged drain. Standing water allows these microscopic entities to grow and spread rapidly, leading to all kinds of health problems if not taken care of promptly. If you’re experiencing one clogged drain, this can likely be resolved quickly by a plumber. If more than one drain is clogged at a time, this may indicate that tree roots have infiltrated your mainline. Your plumber can also fix this, but it may take more time to resolve. 

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes are another problem that often seems more like a simple annoyance rather than a bigger problem. Leaks can start small and relatively harmless, but even the tiniest of leaks can waste gallons of water per day and raise your water bill each month. Over time, most small leaks gradually become larger and larger until they cause widespread damage or flooding that becomes impossible to ignore. 

For this reason, it’s best to get small leaks looked at by a professional sooner rather than later. Having your plumber fix a small leak takes much less time and costs much less than having to bring them in for a burst pipe or flood that could have been prevented by acting sooner. Many leaks can be fixed by tightening bolts, but some may require pipe replacements if the corrosion or other types of damage caused the leaks. Either way, don’t delay in getting help for leaking pipes. 

Running Toilets

Have you ever noticed that your toilet seems to make noise well after it has last been flushed? If so, you may have a running toilet on your hands. Unfortunately, many toilets run constantly even without making a noticeable noise or displaying any other signs, and it’s estimated that about 20% of toilets leak. This is highly problematic because that can translate to hundreds or thousands of extra dollars spent on your water bill that isn’t even used for daily tasks. 

If you want to check to see if your toilet is running, you can add a drop of food dye to the tank and wait ten minutes. If the water in the toilet bowl has become colored, your toilet is probably leaking. After this experiment, be sure to flush the toilet to prevent staining, and call your plumber right away if needed. 

How Does the Water in Fort Pierce Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Fort Pierce is considered “very hard” by most estimates, meaning that it contains a high amount of hard water minerals. These hard water minerals, usually calcium and magnesium, are not harmful to health when ingested or used for daily tasks, but they can cause other problems throughout the house. Hard water can create hard water buildup in pipes, allowing less water to flow through and forcing your appliances to work harder. It also leads to dry skin and hair, poor tasting water, stains on laundry, cloudy dishes, and more. 

The best way to combat hard water is by having a water softener installed if you don’t have one already. These efficient devices exchange hard water ions with softer ones, usually sodium or potassium, and they can help alleviate these hard water problems relatively quickly. If you already have a water softener, but you’re still struggling with hard water issues, it may be time to get your device inspected. Your water softener may need repairs, or your plumber may recommend getting a newer and more efficient model.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Fort Pierce?

Most Fort Pierce residents pay around $400 for plumbing services on average, but your final cost may be much higher or lower depending upon several factors. When we calculate total bills, the largest factors we take into account include the size of the job, the types of materials needed, and whether emergency services were required. 

Size of Job

Plumbing jobs can vary greatly in size, from having a small leak fixed to re-doing your entire home’s piping or installing a new septic tank. Larger jobs tend to require much more time to complete, and we often have to bring in more staff members to assist with the process. The larger the job, the larger your bill. It’s not always clear how large a job will be until your plumber looks below the surface, as a small leak may indicate a more widespread problem. Calling your plumber for assistance earlier on can help keep underlying problems from getting worse. 

Materials Required

If you need to replace your pipes or fixtures, you will have to decide which materials to choose to suit your needs and fit within your budget. Your plumber can make tailored recommendations to help you decide. Higher quality materials will cost more initially, but they may save you in the long run by helping your home use water more efficiently and by preventing plumbing disasters. 

Emergency Services

We offer 24/7 emergency services because we know how unpredictable plumbing nightmares can be. If you experience a burst pipe in the middle of the night, it’s best to call in a professional to resolve the issue before your belongings get destroyed and your house floods. Emergency services do cost more than regular check-ups or maintenance requests, but it’s better to get the problem resolved early than trying to wait until normal business hours to save a few bucks on service, especially if the emergency results in widespread damage. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Fort Pierce?

Better money can save you money no matter where you live, but this is especially true in areas where water costs more than others. Better plumbing often means updating fixtures with newer and more efficient models and having more durable piping installed. These tasks may seem like hefty investments upfront, but they will eventually pay for themselves by lowering your water bill. 

Better plumbing can also raise the value of your home substantially. People want to purchase a home that they know is in excellent condition, and having new plumbing installed can ease potential buyers’ peace of mind and make them more likely to put in an offer. 

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

In most water-related situations, you’ll have to hire a plumber to investigate the matter. The only time you’ll contact the water utility company instead is if you need help with your utility bill, you want to start or stop your service, or if you see a public water emergency, like a leaking fire hydrant or sewage backing up into the street. 

Otherwise, you should call your plumber, and they can determine if the root of the problem is your home’s plumbing system or the city’s. If it’s a city water problem, they can contact the right person to resolve your issue quickly; otherwise, they should be able to get to work on the problem right away. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Fort Pierce?

For most minor repairs, such as getting a clogged drain or leaky faucet fixed, you won’t need a plumbing permit. However, for the vast majority of other plumbing projects, you will need to apply for a permit and pay a designated fee. Plumbing permit requirements are put into place to keep those living in the house safe, as well as those living in your neighborhood. These inspections also ensure that the upcoming plumbing work won’t pose a threat to the local environment. 

Nobody is happy about having to fill out permit paperwork or pay a fee, but it’s still best to do this in the right way. Failing to obtain a permit before work begins can result in hefty fines, and updating unpermitted work to get up to code can cost much more than just having it done up to code in the first place. Plus, most homeowners insurance policies won’t cover damage caused by unpermitted work, so if disaster strikes, you’ll be primarily left on your own. 

Getting a permit is an easy task, and your plumber can even help you fill out the paperwork if you aren’t sure how to check all the right boxes.