Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lakeland?
- 2 How Does the Water in Lakeland Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lakeland?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lakeland?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Lakeland vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lakeland?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lakeland?
Many different things can go wrong with your plumbing. This area of Central Florida comes with its own unique challenges. If you need a plumber in Lakeland, it is likely due to one of these common plumbing issues we see most often.
Leaks
Leaks are a big problem, not just in Lakeland, Florida, but throughout the world. The EPA estimates that household leaks are responsible for more than a trillion gallons of wasted drinking water each year. This is bad for the environment and our wallets. Most leaks are easy to spot, while others go unnoticed. Here are a few signs that you have a leak.
- Higher than the normal water bill
- Warm or hot spot on the floor
- Wet walls, ceiling, or floor
- Running toilet
- Dripping water from taps
- Sewer smell coming from drains
- Low water pressure
- Mold or mildew smells
If you have some of these signs, you should call a plumber in Lakeland. Waiting too long can end up costing you more money because there is more time for water damage to take over.
Clogs
If you have a blockage in any of your lines, you will need a plumber in Lakeland. This could be water that won’t drain after your shower, or worse, an overflowing toilet. Sometimes, you can temporarily clear the line with a plunger. Other times, the problem is further down the pipe and you’ll need drain cleaning to restore drainage. These are the most likely reasons for clogs.
- Foreign objects – Things fall down the drains often and they can cause your pipes to clog. Using a drain catcher can help with this problem.
- Oils and fats – You should never pour oils, fats, and grease down the drain. These will harden once cooled, causing the line to clog.
- Hard water – Hard water can damage the inside of your pipes, and Lakeland has very hard water, making clogs a common issue in the area.There are ways that you can prevent this, like water filtration and drain cleaning.
- Biofilm – Biofilm is the bacteria that comes from food, people, and pets. Over time, it causes slower draining and bad smells.
- Hair and soap – We lose strands of hair in the shower which mix with soap in the drain. After a while, they turn into clogs, blocking the water.
- Damaged sewer line – If all the drains in your home become stopped up and won’t drain efficiently, you may have a problem with your main sewer line. Since there are many storms in central Florida, this often occurs in Lakeland.
Preventing clogs is one of the best things you can do for your plumbing system and your wallet. The only thing that should get flushed, other than waste, is toilet paper. You can also use a drain catcher in showers, baths, and sinks to prevent hair and foreign objects from going down your drains.
Smells
There are many reasons why you have bad smells coming from your drains. If your drains smell like sewer gases, you will need a plumber in Lakeland to investigate the problem. This could be a sign of a break or clog in your main sewer line, which is common in Lakeland due to storms in Central Florida. It may also be a sign that the drain needs to be cleaned. Either way, sewer smells can be harmful to your health and should not be ignored.
How Does the Water in Lakeland Affect Your Plumbing?
The water hardness is considered very high, measuring at or above 180 ppm. Why is this a problem and how does it affect your plumbing? Hard water is made up of different dissolved solids, primarily minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. These excess minerals attach themselves to the inside of the pipes. Over time, the coating gets thicker, narrowing the line, affecting water pressure, and increasing the risk of leaks and blockages.
Hard water is not just bad for your pipes. It can reduce the life expectancy of your appliances as well. As the minerals coat your dishwasher, water heater, and washing machine, they will stop working effectively. The hard water residue also wears down your clothes. This is why your clothes feel rough and look faded.
If you think hard water is the cause of your plumbing problems, a plumber in Lakeland can help. We can discuss different filtration methods that can remove these contaminants. Although a whole-home filtration system will be an initial investment, it will pay off pretty quickly.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lakeland?
If you need a plumber in Lakeland, Florida, you probably want to know how much it will cost you. On average, you can expect to pay around $95 to $720. However, this is only an estimate based on past work. If you need a more accurate quote for your plumbing problem, we can help. Here are some cost factors that will influence the price.
Type of Plumbing Service Needed
When most people think about plumbing, they think about flooded toilets and leaks. While this is a big part of what we do, it is not the only type of service. We also have plumbers that do mostly remodeling and construction work. Another type of service is regular plumbing inspections for customers that want to avoid plumbing problems with regular maintenance.
Location
Where is the plumbing problem? Is it under the kitchen sink? If so, that will not be very difficult to reach and fix. Is it several feet beneath the ground? If so, that will cost you more. If you have leaks that are behind walls or buried, it will be harder to take care of the problem. It will likely take more than one person and more equipment. All this will add to your bill.
Materials
Another cost factor for a plumber in Lakeland is the materials. Different materials come at different prices. For example, if you need a new bathroom faucet, you will have a lot of options and brands to choose from. This may be an area where many homeowners can save a little money, but it is still a good idea to put quality over the price tag. The cost difference might be $100, but one model may last ten years, while the less expensive model may last half as long.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lakeland?
If you are on municipal water in the City of Lakeland, you qualify for a $100 WaterSense toilet rebate. How is this better plumbing? The first step to better plumbing and saving money is to reduce the amount of water being used. Not only is that better for the environment, but it will save money on your water bill with each flush.
Another way that better plumbing will save you money is by purifying your water. If you invest in a whole home water filtration system, you will be removing contaminants that are harmful to your plumbing system. This will reduce the need for a plumber in Lakeland and extend the life of your fixtures, pipes, drains, appliances, and clothing. This alone could save a small fortune. Another bonus is that filtration systems will increase your home’s value.
The best way that better plumbing can save you money is to prevent the need for a plumber in Lakeland altogether. The easy and least expensive way to do this is by having an annual inspection. Mr. Blue Plumbing will look for any concerning areas, and our plumbers might ask questions about your water and drains. This can help prevent major emergency problems later.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Lakeland vs Hire a Plumber?
The simple answer is to call a plumber in Lakeland when you have any plumbing problem on your property. Some issues, like a running toilet, are clearly on your property and you will be responsible for it. Other issues, like a flooded driveway, street, or front yard, may be more difficult to determine. Do you call the city or a plumber?
If you suspect any leak and you don’t know where it is coming from, you should turn off the main water in the house. This is usually in the front yard. Next, you will need to find your water meter, which is often on the side of your home. Is the meter spinning? If it is, you will need a plumber as the water is still flowing through your property.
If your water meter is not spinning after shutting off the main water supply, the problem is likely on the city’s side of the line. You will need to report the problem to them at 863-834-8714 (Weekdays) or 863-834-4248 (Weekend, evenings).
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lakeland?
If you have a plumbing job in Lakeland, you may need a permit. According to the city permit office, “most” plumbing work requires one. Although there are some exceptions, like stopping a leak, clearing minor drain blockages, and changing out a faucet. Here are some common jobs that will require a permit.
- Replace or install a water heater
- Partial or complete repiping
- Replace or install backflow
- Sink/tub/shower/drain installed
- Toilet/urinal installed or replace
- Plumbing that requires rerouting lines
- Plumbing that requires drywall removal
- Appliance hookups remove/replace/reroute
These permits help ensure that the work is being done up to code and by someone that has been trained to do the job. You will also need to be prepared to pay for the permit fees, as well as for an inspection, depending on the type of work required. If you have questions about permits and inspections, we can help.
