AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Gainesville, GA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Gainesville?

Gainesville doesn’t have freezing cold winters that can crack through your pipes. However, just like any town, there are several plumbing considerations property owners should be aware of to keep their homes and buildings in good shape. Some of the most common plumbing issues in Gainesville include:

Old Pipes

Gainesville was first incorporated in 1869, and homes with the then-latest plumbing technologies were constructed over time. That means many older homes may have old lead fixtures, worn pipes, and other outdated plumbing systems. These present a greater risk of cracking or leaking inside the home, and some old materials may even impact the safety of your home’s drinking water. Our plumbers can inspect your home’s plumbing, look for outdated plumbing fixtures, and even repipe your home with modern, safe, and long-lasting materials. 

Dripping Faucets

Faucets can develop a slow drip of water, but while the problem is common, it’s usually not serious. A poorly seated faucet from an old DIY project may have caused a slow drip in the sink, or maybe excessive hard water buildup from the minerals Gainesville’s water supply is stopping the faucet from being completely closed. One of the most common causes of dripping faucets is an old, hardened, or torn washer, which can happen quickly given the corrosive hard water in the area. The good news about dripping faucets is that we can quickly take a look, take apart the faucet, and fix the issue. Dripping fixtures are usually a problem with the fixture itself, not the plumbing behind it.

Running Toilets

Just like with dripping faucets, a constantly running toilet may have become background noise in your home. But it also may not be a severe plumbing issue. Instead, it may be a poorly aligned flapper, which happens from time to time. One of our certified plumbers can inspect the issue and quickly determine the underlying cause. Fixing a constantly running toilet is one of the best ways to reduce your monthly water bill — it cuts down on water waste and usually just needs a quick, simple fix!

Leaks

However, leaky pipes can be a sign of a far more severe problem. Pipes can leak behind the walls and where fixtures or appliances are installed. A sharp, accidental movement might cause the leak; for example, if you have a hard copper supply line to your refrigerator’s water filter, you can accidentally crimp it just by jostling the fridge. Leaks can also develop as old pipes corrode or wear out. The hard water in Gainesville can corrode fixtures more rapidly than soft water will, especially around joints and connection points. Unfortunately, even a slow leak can cause costly water damage over time; they also develop into faster leaks or gushing sprays if they aren’t treated quickly enough.

Rattling Water Heaters

Gainesville has hard water. While the mineral concentration doesn’t affect the drinkability of the water, it does lead to mineral buildup in your water heater. If it sounds like pebbles are rattling or clanking inside your water heater, drain your water heater. If the minerals stay trapped in the heater for too long, they can cause substantial damage and shorten the lifespan of your heater. Our plumbers can provide this annual service, so you don’t have to worry about hot water or potential water damage.

How Does the Water in Gainesville Affect Your Plumbing?

Gainesville’s residential water supply comes from the Floridan aquifer and is treated at the local Murphree Water Treatment Plant. The water has met all safe drinking water standards in the area and complies with federal and state laws, making it safe to drink and use throughout daily living. The water has also been historically low on copper and lead levels, and it continues to be low.

Gainesville’s water is mildly basic at an average pH level of 8.6. It’s also considered hard water, with 140 mg of CaCO3 per liter, or 8.2 grains per gallon. Hard water is generally considered safe to drink. However, while the minerals dissolved in the water may not affect the drinkability of the water, they may affect your building’s plumbing fixtures.

Mineral deposits from hard water can build up over time. They start as a white, chalky residue around the edges of surfaces like faucets or filters. But the buildup can develop over time to narrow the interior of your home’s pipes, make valves seize, and put pressure on joints and washers. To ensure optimal performance of your plumbing fixtures and pipes, regularly clean and remove hard water buildup.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Gainesville?

Plumbing costs vary from project to project, depending on the complexity and scale of the situation. Most jobs fall between $125 and $875. Replacing worn washers can be a quick, simple, and low-cost job while repiping an entire bathroom is much more extensive. Whether you need immediate repairs or are planning a plumbing renovation, consider these factors that can affect the final cost:

How Big Is Your Project?

This single factor weighs the most on the total cost you can expect to pay for the plumbing. Plumbing prices aren’t just determined as individual tasks; they’re made up of the cost of parts, labor, and associated administrative tasks (such as applying for permits or getting required city inspections). When you call our plumbers, we may uncover larger underlying damage and hazards, even for a seemingly simple leak. 

Do You Need a Plumber Now?

Requiring emergency or ASAP (as soon as possible) plumbing services will be more expensive than having the flexibility to schedule an appointment at a later date. Emergencies can happen at any time, so we offer 24/7 availability. But overnight hours, weekend appointments, and service during holidays will come at an additional cost. If you’re requesting immediate services because of storm-related damage, demand may be extremely high in your neighborhood, so costs could rise as a result.

Age of Your Property

When an older home needs plumbing repairs, those repairs tend to be more expensive for many reasons. For example, a leak behind a wall may lead to the discovery of cracks throughout the old pipes. Your home might have materials and plumbing layouts that are no longer considered safe or up to code and require more extensive work. It can even be as simple as the manufacturer of your home’s original plumbing system is out of business, and replacement parts are no longer available. If you have an old property that needs plumbing, expect a bigger final price tag than in a home 5 to 20 years old.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Gainesville?

Better plumbing is always an excellent investment. Having regular plumbing services and inspections can significantly reduce the risk of plumbing disasters and emergencies. Regular maintenance such as having your water heater drained, addressing hard water buildup, and replacing worn washers in fixtures can make home ownership more convenient and less expensive.

Plumbing projects can also improve your home’s value. Installing filters or water softeners, upgrading your home’s kitchen and bathrooms, and installing updated fixtures are all great ways to optimize your home. New Energy Star appliances and smart water fixtures can also be more efficient than older installations. It saves you money on your water bill as you reduce the total amount of water your home uses or accidentally wastes.

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

When something goes wrong with your water, it can seem like an emergency (and it frequently can be!). So knowing who to call quickly is important. We recommend contacting GRU, Gainesville’s utility company, if you don’t have any water reaching your home or if you notice that the water is cloudy, oddly colored, or has an unusual smell. Sudden changes in the apparent quality of your water, especially if you’re experiencing the water from multiple taps, may be a wider issue. Another way to tell if you should contact GRU is to talk to your neighbors if they’re experiencing a similar problem. Issues with public drainage and water utilities should also be directed to GRU.

However, if you observe a water or plumbing issue restricted to just your property, contact our plumbers. The faster we know to come to your property, the faster we can assess the problem, find the underlying cause, and determine the best solution for your property and budget.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Gainesville?

Some plumbing projects require permits prior to completion. The city of Gainesville’s Building Department manages the permit application process. Common repairs and simple projects, such as plumbing repiping, replacing a broken or outdated water heater, and other routine tasks that don’t change the function of the plumbing, must have permits but don’t require plan reviews. This allows ourplumbersto apply for and receive permits within 24 hours. Even simpler plumbing tasks, such as replacing old and worn o-rings, don’t require permits at all. However, complex bathroom renovations, conversions, and installing additional water lines around a property require plan review through Gainesville’s ePlan review platform. Our team will handle the permit application process for projects and repairs on our customers’ behalf.