AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Smyrna, GA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Smyrna?

Smyrna has a lot of new plumbing, but that doesn’t make it exempt from problems. Leaky pipes, drippy faucets, overflowing toilets, and backed-up sewers are common in all types of plumbing systems. Many of the common plumbing issues in Smyrna are due to foundation and weather-related issues. 

Smyrna has numerous benefits, but also a few problems, like plumbing system malfunctions. The most common include:

Drain Clogs

Drains should be one of the first things you check when you suspect a plumbing issue. Clogged drains are very common in Smyrna, and everywhere, but they can cause serious damage if they’re not properly cleared. Clogs can cause pipes to burst and other fixtures to rupture. Grease, dirt, hair, food particles, and insoluble items such as wipes, cause most clogs. To ensure pipes stay clear, it’s important for homeowners to regularly check them and make sure they stay clear. Otherwise, a clogged drain can become a pricey predicament. 

Backed-Up Sewers

No one wants to deal with a backed-up sewer. It’s not just costly but it can leave a disgusting, smelly mess in its wake. Backups in the sewer system typically occur after other plumbing issues, like a clogged drain, but they can also appear after heavy rainfall. Smyrna averages more than 44 inches of rain annually which is almost 8 inches more than the United States average. 

Reduced Water Pressure

When a pipe is clogged or blocked by air, it can cause low water pressure and accompanying difficulties. Water pressure is determined by the speed of the water coming from the tap. If your shower only has water trickling out, and it once was a waterfall, you’re facing a low water pressure issue. They happen for a variety of reasons, but the more common include:

• Mineral deposits build-up in the aerator
• Leaks in the pipes
• Breakage in the main-line from the water company

Sump Pump Problems

Sump pumps are fickle and can fail for all sorts of reasons, including broken hardware, clogged discharge, improper installation, excess water, and age. There’s no quick, one-fix solution. If your sump pump fails to pump water away from your home, serious damage sets in next.

Problems With Catch Basin

The only thing a catch basin does is catch run-off from rain and snowmelt to avoid flooding. There’s a high clogging risk if there is trash and dirt in the water. When clogged, the catch basin can’t do its job, and you’re left to clean up the mess and pay for all the repairs. The simple answer is clearing the drain. Catch basins also weaken through the years, which causes more issues.

How Does the Water in Smyrna Affect Your Plumbing?

Smyrna, and most of Georgia, has soft water. We are lucky that soft water is a lot kinder to plumbing work than hard water, but it still has its problem areas. Soft water is water filtered to remove dissolved minerals, like calcium, and other debris. Because minerals have been removed, soft water pulls minerals from the plumbing works as it travels through, leaving tiny pinholes in the pipes that become large cracks, fissures, and eventually complete breaks. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Smyrna?

In the Smyrna area and any of the outskirts of Atlanta, plumbing work can average between a hundred dollars to several thousand, with most jobs costing under $500. The exact costs are dependent on a lot of extraneous factors, such as the parameters of the job and the cost of raw materials. Before you start any plumbing project, consider these common factors that affect the final cost of your plumbing project. 

Job Constraints

The bigger the job, the more complex, and the more it costs should come as no surprise to homeowners. Simple jobs like a clogged toilet don’t cost nearly as much as replacing the whole system. Big jobs require more labor, a higher talent, more tools and equipment, and more expensive replacement parts.

Emergencies

One thing that will always increase the cost of plumbing service is to call for help outside of routine business hours. When we are on-call, the cost is added to the standard costs. Emergency rates are usually in the $100 range, added to the cost of labor and materials.

Parts and Labor

Parts and labor costs are the biggest cost factors in most jobs. They are the two main things we charge you for. Replacement parts come out of the homeowner’s pocket. Replacing a small fixture, like a faucet, is cheaper than replacing a toilet. We can’t judge the full scope of the problem until we see it. In addition to parts, you also pay for our time and skill.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Smyrna?

Quality plumbing parts will always save you money, no matter where you live. Many homeowners, especially first-timers, believe plumbing parts are a good place to save money, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. There is a lot to plumbing that the average person isn’t aware of. Using the wrong pipe for the wrong situation can be disastrous.

Better plumbing means less chance of contaminants gaining a foothold in the system. Better plumbing also means no more unexpected leaks, clogs, or sewer issues.

It might be a good idea to upgrade the plumbing, however, if you have:

Frequent Faucet Leaks

Repairing a leaky faucet just to have the problem return means there is probably something else going on.

Weak Toilet Flushes

Toilets should not flush more than once. It wastes water and is a sign of a bigger problem in the sewer, septic tank, or drain pipes.

Reduced Water Pressure

Water pressure issues can start as minerals compress inside the water lines. If you notice decelerated pressure, have it checked to prevent leaks and other problems down the road.

Slow Drains

Just like a lagging toilet, the sink should wash out water as soon as you turn off the water.

Water Sounds in Pipes When You Aren’t Running Water

If you’re hearing noise from the pipes, there could be a pinhole somewhere letting in air and causing the water to flow bumpier. Another cause could be the pipe hammer, which means an interrupted water flow.

All of these situations require an upgrade to keep things in tip-top shape.

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

It isn’t always as simple as you’d think to know when to call us and when to call the water department when your bathroom is flooded, or the kitchen is spouting water. No one wants to sound the alarm if there isn’t a valid reason. So how do you know? There are a few specific reasons to call both. Here’s what you need to know:

Here are some reasons to call us:

• Leaks inside your home
• Substantial increase in the water bill
• Drain issues
• Noises in the pipes
• Foul odor in the water
• Standing water near septic tanks

Here are some reasons to call Smyrna Water Services if:

• No water
• Water in the street or gushing from the ground
• Vacant neighbor’s home has standing water in the yard
• Your water service needs to be turned on or off

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Smyrna?

Smyrna requires residents to obtain a permit for most plumbing needs. Whether you need a permit is ultimately determined by the type and extent of the job.

Common reasons for a permit include:

• New installations
• Re-Piping
• Replacing water heater
• Adding an in-ground swimming pool or spa

There are other jobs that don’t require a permit, including:

• Repairing leaks
• Removing clogs
• Replacement of fixtures, water softeners, and water purifiers
• Replacing a wall or ceiling 
• Adding an above ground pool or spa