AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Atlanta, GA

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Atlanta?

No home in Atlanta is immune to common plumbing issues like clogged drains and running toilets. These issues plague every homeowner at one time or another. That’s why it’s important to have our trusted plumbers you can call when your plumbing started to act up. Atlanta residents will want to watch for these common plumbing issues such as:

• Water leaks. Water leaks can originate in many areas of your home. It might be an underground pipe leaking or a toilet that doesn’t stop running. The cost of water in Atlanta continues to rise, though, so finding leaks and putting a stop to them is important. It’s good for the environment as well as your monthly water utility bill. 
• Burst pipes. It doesn’t freeze a lot in Atlanta, but it happens. When it does, we know we’ll be getting calls about burst pipes. Exposed pipes that aren’t insulated against the cold are in danger of bursting, resulting in a lot of wasted water that can damage your property. You can prevent burst pipes by covering exposed piping when the temperature drops. Our trusted plumbers can help you insulate those pipes, too. 
• Damaged underground pipes. Atlanta has a lot of gorgeous greenery, but all those trees and shrubs can start to cause problems with your plumbing. This is even more true in the springtime, when newly-awakened plants are sending down roots. Those roots can invade your pipes, resulting in slow drains and clogs. It’s tough to know if plants are causing your plumbing troubles without a professional inspection, though. You’ll want to contact our plumbers who can send a camera down to check. 

Along with these issues, residents in historic neighborhoods like Grant Park and Castleberry Hill have additional plumbing concerns. If you live in one of Atlanta’s older neighborhoods, make sure you are aware of the age of your plumbing fixtures and infrastructure. That’s because no plumbing system will last forever, no matter how well it’s maintained. Eventually, you will have to replace it. Older plumbing parts may start to leak more or experience clogs more often. You’ll want to replace them before they completely fail, as that can result in major repairs to your historic property. If you suspect it’s time to replace old plumbing in your home, contact our experienced plumbers for an estimate.

How Does The Water In Atlanta Affect Your Plumbing?

Atlanta’s water rates as “very soft” on the USGS hardness of water scale, which means there are very low amounts of minerals such as calcium carbonate and magnesium in our water supply, around 21 parts per million. Atlanta’s water primarily comes from Lake Lanier and Allatoona Lake, so we benefit from watershed instead of relying on groundwater (which is much harder).

What does that mean for your home’s plumbing? Only good things. Soft water is much gentler on your home’s plumbing system than hard water. Hard water, which most of the United States deals with, creates mineral deposits in the plumbing system. Over time, these deposits can create unsightly scale on plumbing fixtures, corrode pipes, and cause blockages. 

You won’t experience these issues with soft water. In fact, soft water will make your dishes look cleaner coming out of the dishwasher. It will also be gentler on your clothing, skin, and hair. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Atlanta?

Atlanta is fairly average when it comes to the cost of hiring a plumber. Our plumbers will typically either charge an hourly rate (plus materials) or do common projects for a flat-rate fee. When paying hourly, you can expect to pay an average of $80 an hour for our services. You may pay slightly more in downtown Atlanta than in suburbs such as Milton or Buford. 

Fees will go up or down based on a few factors: 

The Type of Project

Simple projects will cost you less. They take us less time, require fewer parts, and probably won’t need any special equipment. A smaller plumbing issue like a leaking tap might just take a bit of time and a wrench, so you will pay a lower fee for the work. More complicated projects, such as repiping your home, will cost much more. That’s due to the work involved, the manpower required, and the equipment needed. 

The Materials Used

It’s not just the complexity of the project that will affect the price. The materials you opt for in your home will affect the cost, too. For example, if you are repiping your Brookview Heights split-level home, you’ll need to decide what piping material to use. They all have their benefits and drawbacks, and our qualified plumbers can help you with the decision. If you opt for PVC, you’ll only pay a couple of thousand dollars for the job. If you opt for copper, though, the job can easily reach $10,000 or more. 

When You Need It Done

Plumbing issues rarely happen at convenient times. It’s often first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night that a plumbing emergency occurs. When that happens, you’ll need the help of our emergency services. We are available 24/7, but if you need us in the evenings or over the weekend, you’ll pay a premium rate for the service. That doesn’t mean you should avoid making the call, though. The longer you wait, the more you’ll end up paying for water damage repair. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Atlanta?

When it comes to plumbing, paying a little extra upfront can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. Quality matters in both plumbing labor and materials, so get the best that you can afford. That means buying fixtures from trusted brand names, which often come with a parts and materials guarantee. That will cover you for any faults in the equipment, at least for a while.

You’ll also want to pay for an experienced, licensed, qualified plumber like Mr. Blue Plumbing to do the work for you. That way, you know that the plumbing work they do is a quality job, and not something that will need fixing again in a few months. 

You’ll end up saving money in a couple of different ways: 

• Fewer replacement costs. Quality plumbing equipment won’t need replacing as often. For example, PVC pipes will last between 20-40 years. CPVC pipes, which may cost a little more, last 50 years or more. 
• Fewer repeat repair visits. Each visit from our plumbers will cost you money. When the job is done right the first time, you won’t have to pay for it to be done a second time. That saves you money as well as the headache of repeated plumbing issues. 
• Less wasted water. Water is expensive in Atlanta. When your bargain plumbing work starts to leak, you can end up wasting gallons every day and not even be aware of it. That’s tough on the environment and your bank account.

When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Atlanta Vs Hire a Plumber?

The Atlanta water utility provides water to the nearly 500,000 residents of Atlanta. However, they are probably the last people you’ll want to call if you are having an issue with your plumbing. In most cases, your first call should be to our plumbers–that’s even if you believe the issue is the result of a problem with the City of Atlanta’s water or sewer mains. We will be able to diagnose your plumbing problem. If it is an issue with city-owned pipes, then we’ll be able to help you get in contact with the right people. 

You should contact the Atlanta water utility company if: 

• You see a water or sewage leak on city-owned property, including in a public street or from a fire hydrant
• You have brown water in your home that doesn’t go away after running an outside pipe for 15 minutes
• There is a drop in water pressure in several homes in your neighborhood (not just yours) 

In all other cases, you’ll want to contact us. If the plumbing issue is on your private property, it will be your responsibility to fix it. It’s only the utility company’s responsibility if it’s on city property. 

When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Atlanta?

If you or your plumber are starting a plumbing project in your Atlanta home, then you may need to get a plumbing permit from the city. These permits ensure the work is up to code and passes the minimum threshold for safety. You do not need a permit if you are doing repairs to existing plumbing infrastructure. You do need a plumbing permit if you: 

• Replace a water heater
• Replace underground pipes
• Install new plumbing fixtures that require new piping
• Change the piping in your walls or under the floor
• Change damaged piping over five feet in length
• Relocate existing plumbing fixtures

If you aren’t sure whether your project requires a plumbing permit, it’s best to contact the Trade Permits office at the City of Atlanta. They’ll be able to answer your questions and help you get the correct permit. You can apply for most permits online, and our experienced plumbing professionals will be able to do this on your behalf.