AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Savannah, GA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Savannah?

Savannah is situated on Georgia’s western coastline, just across the river from South Carolina. The city has earned the nickname of “Hostess City of the South.” People come from all over to take in the city’s architecture, food, and spooky “haunted” sites. Savannah is the county seat of Chatham County and is currently home to 144,464 residents.

Savannah was established in 1733, making it the oldest city in Georgia. Mature trees and historic homes are plentiful here, and both can cause unique plumbing problems. As for the mature trees, arboreal giants like the city’s iconic Southern Live Oaks have enormous root systems. As these strong roots grow, they can exert enough force on water or sewer pipes to cause them to crack or even burst open. As a result, we do see a fair amount of plumbing damage caused by tree roots. And as for the older homes, no pipe material will last forever. Decaying plumbing lines are not unheard of in Savannah. We also do upgrades from older plumbing materials like cast iron, clay, or galvanized steel, to modern materials like copper, PVC, or PEX. 

The entire state of Georgia has year-round limitations on outdoor water usage. To comply with these limitations, Savannah has a strict outdoor watering schedule that restricts the days and hours that residents can water their lawns. The alternating schedule is based on whether a home has an even or an odd address. Because of these restrictions, our plumbers in Savannah receive a lot of requests to install timed sprinklers and smart sprinkler systems. Many of our customers love these systems because they are truly “set it and forget it.” They don’t have to rush home to turn their irrigation system off or worry about missing one of their scheduled water days.

Clogs are another common issue for Plumbers in Savannah. We recommend that our customers use drain screens and avoid dumping grease down their kitchen sinks. Savannah’s hard water can contribute to these issues as well, as the build-up of minerals can limit the flow of material through the pipes. However, we know that clogged drains can and do happen despite precautions. Unfortunately, many homeowners think they can tackle stubborn clogs on their own. Many people reach for drain cleaners that you can buy at any grocery mart or dollar store. We typically tell our customers not to use these liquids and gels. For one thing, drain cleaners are very abrasive and dangerous for the average person to handle. And for another, they are dangerous to pipes, too. Over time, these chemicals can cause damage to your home’s plumbing system, which will cost you more money in the long run. We have the right tools to safely and effectively unclog drains and pipes, so give us a call.

How Does the Water in Savannah Affect Your Plumbing?

Savannah’s tap water comes from two sources, the Floridan Aquifer and Abercorn Creek, which is a tributary of the Savannah River. The Floridan Aquifer is an important water source for the southeastern portion of the United States. Over 10 million people throughout Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama rely on the Floridan Aquifer for their water. 

Water from both the Floridan Aquifer and Abercorn Creek is routinely analyzed for certain substances, including chlorine, fluoride, lead, and copper. Every year, the results of this analysis are released in the city’s water quality reports. 

Some homes in Savannah may have “hard” water, which occurs when there is an elevated presence of certain minerals in the water. One telltale sign of hard water is if your glassware comes out of the dishwasher with a white film or spots on it. Some people report that they need to use more soap or shampoo to create a lather with hard water. Hard water also has the potential to create scale buildup inside of pipes and your hot water heater. This may shorten the lifespan of these plumbing fixtures. If hard water is a problem in your home, we can install a water softener. 

While Savannah’s tap water is regarded as safe to drink, some people simply prefer the taste of filtered water. And others may have medical conditions that make them sensitive to water that is safe for others to drink. Our plumbers in Savannah do receive requests for home water filtration systems. We also maintain and repair filtration systems as needed.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Savannah?

Our plumbing experts in Savannah provide a variety of services, from replacing a gasket on a leaky faucet to a new sewer connection to pipe replacements. What you can expect to pay depends on the nature of the work being done. For a ballpark estimate, the average plumbing bill in Savannah is $390.00. Many repairs and services will fall within the $95.00 to $686.00 range. These prices do not include taxes or permit fees.

The final price tag for plumbing repairs depends on several cost factors.

Cost Factor: The Nature and Scope of the Project or Repair

If it’s time for a complete bathroom remodel, homeowners in Savannah can expect to pay between $9,666 and $15,750. With remodels, the price is largely driven by the sink, bathtub, toilet, and fixtures that the homeowner chooses. 

For a clogged drain in Savannah, the price runs from $94.00 to $425.00, with an average cost of $259.00. Most repairs are easier and less expensive if performed while the problem is still minor. Give us a call when you have a “slow” drain before the pipe is completely clogged.

Cost Factor: If Your Household Qualifies for Financial Assistance

There are programs in place that help Savannah residents with the cost of certain plumbing repairs. Each program sets its own eligibility criteria. One such program issues vouchers for a free water-saving toilet. These vouchers are available to certain homeowners in Savannah whose houses were built before 1993. Building codes changed in 2010, and these new toilets are compliant with the new codes. In addition, homeowners who take advantage of this voucher program should see a reduction in their water bills. Older toilets use anywhere from 3 to 7 gallons per flush, while these new toilets only use 1.28 gallons per flush

Another plumbing program that the city runs is a leak adjustment on water bills. A leaky or burst pipe costs the homeowner in two ways: plumbing repairs and then a sky-high bill. If you have a high water bill due to a leak, you may be eligible to have a portion of your water bill adjusted.

Cost Factor: If You Have a Plumbing Emergency on Your Hands

Some plumbing issues are an annoyance but can wait to be taken care of during regular business hours. Repairs like fixing a leaky faucet or inspecting a water heater that is putting out less than normal hot water amounts will fall into this category. However, burst pipes, sewer backups, and a complete loss of water are issues that cannot wait. As plumbers, we know that our services are needed around the clock. If you do have an emergency issue and we have to come out after hours or on a holiday, you can expect to pay more. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Savannah?

Yes, because better plumbing will result in a lower water bill. There are cost-efficient plumbing solutions for every home and budget. If your washing machine is at the end of its lifespan, it might be time to upgrade to an HE front-loading machine. And the average home could save up to 700 gallons of water each year by switching to low-flow faucets in the bathroom and kitchen.

Water conservation measures are good not only for your pocketbook but for the entire Savannah community. Saltwater intrusion is a growing threat to the Floridan Aquifer, which is the city’s primary source of water. Saltwater intrusion occurs when freshwater is withdrawn from an aquifer faster than it is naturally replenished. This deficit of freshwater allows saltwater to seep into the aquifer. It is crucial that Savannah and other cities that rely on the Florida Aquifer continue to conserve water, as saltwater intrusion threatens the freshwater supply.

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

Generally speaking, homeowners are responsible for the plumbing systems on their property and inside of their homes. That includes any sewer pipes that run from the house, up to where those pipes connect to the city’s sewer main line. Homeowners are also responsible for the maintenance of any irrigation systems in their yards. For any of these issues, you should give us a call.

The city is responsible for the municipal main lines and fire hydrants. If you see water bubbling to the surface near a roadway, that could be a burst main line and should be reported to the City of Savannah Utility Services Division.

A loss of water pressure or no water could indicate a problem with either the city’s main line or your home’s plumbing system. Before you call anyone, we encourage you to do a little detective work first. Check with your neighbors to see if they also have problems with their water. If there was a severe storm, one of the municipal main lines may have been damaged. Or, there may be routine maintenance being performed on the city’s end. If your neighbor’s water is working fine, then the problem is likely in your home’s plumbing system. Give us a call to set up an inspection. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Savannah?

The city’s permit guidelines include comprehensive listings of what plumbing services do and do not require permits. If you are installing a new sink, shower, toilet, tub, sump pump, dishwasher, garbage disposal, water pipes, or water heater you will usually need a plumbing permit. Repairs on existing appliances and pipes, as well as unplugging a blocked sewer line typically do not require a permit. 

Homes that are in Savannah’s designated historic districts may require additional paperwork and requirements. Homeowners living in a historic district are encouraged to check with the Historic Preservation Committee before they undertake any extensive repairs or remodels.