AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Belleville, IL

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Belleville?

Belleville is located in St. Clair County, less than 20 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. The city hosts various parks and museums for residents to spend their time. Belleville was founded in 1814 and expanded rapidly from the 1860s to the 1960s.

There are still many homes in Belleville built before 1960, as well as many more modern homes. New and old plumbing systems can experience a variety of issues. Here are some of the most common reasons to call a plumber in Belleville.

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can be a common issue in Belleville. Homes with newer plumbing systems can leak due to damage and incorrect installation, but leaks can be more common in homes with older plumbing systems.

Most homes were built with cast iron, galvanized steel, and copper plumbing systems until recent decades, which means most homes in Belleville still have these pipes installed. These pipes have remarkable durability, longevity, and corrosion resistance, but after many decades they can be leaky and corroded. Improper maintenance and old age can cause pipes to leak or burst, resulting in flooding, water damage, and other issues.

Leaky pipes are typically simple and affordable repairs for our licensed plumbers in Belleville when they are detected early, but they can be more complicated if the damage is extensive. It is also important to have older pipes tested for lead. Galvanized pipes and the solder used in copper pipes installed before 1986 may contain lead.

Drain Clogs

Drain clogs are another common reason residents call our plumbers in Belleville. We find that many residents clog their drains with debris, hair, and hygiene products, but some of the most difficult clogs come from a source you may not expect. The city’s hard water can leave mineral deposits inside your pipes, which restrict the flow of water through them and catch debris like hair and food grease more easily. As such, clogs are a prevalent issue in Belleville.

If you have ever drained the oil from a pan into the sink, you may have contributed to FOGs, or fats, oils, and grease in your drain and sewage system. FOGs can solidify in the drain when you dispose of food in the sink or garbage disposal. To avoid FOG-related drain issues, always properly dispose of foods and cooking products before washing or rinsing your dishes in the sink.

A slow drain or clogged drain can be a major inconvenience. While it can seem simple to pour a DIY liquid plumbing solution down the drain, it may not be the safest and most effective method for unclogging drains. We recommend hiring our licensed plumbers in Belleville to safely unclog your drain.

Frozen Pipes

In the chilly winters of Illinois, frozen pipes are a common plumbing issue in Belleville. Frozen pipes can leave you without water and may cause leaks or burst pipes as they thaw. When your pipes freeze, avoid trying to thaw them with a torch or flame, and instead turn off the water and call our plumbers.

You can also avoid frozen pipes by calling our plumbers in Belleville before the cooler seasons. We can inspect the pipes for leaks, seal them with heat tape, and insulate the pipes to prevent freezing.

If your pipes are not ready for cold weather, you can prevent freezing with a simple fix. You can let the water run from the faucet slightly to keep the pipes thawed, but this is only a temporary solution. It can increase your water bill and is less effective than having the pipes insulated for winter weather.

How Does the Water in Belleville Affect Your Plumbing?

The water throughout Illinois can be hard. Hard water is water with significant dissolved calcium and magnesium content that can cause problems for your plumbing system. The water in Belleville can contain greater than 180 parts per million, making the water very hard.

Very hard water can leave a mineral buildup in your pipes that carry hot water, making your water heater run inefficiently. It can also leave a scaly residue on any surface where the hard water is heated, including your coffee maker, faucet, kettles, and shower. Hard water has a cloudy appearance and may make rinsing soap from your hands or hair more difficult.

Hard water can lower the flow of your plumbing system, reduce the efficiency of equipment, and increase maintenance and cleaning needs. Installing a water softener is the most effective method of combating hard water. Routine flushing and maintenance of your plumbing system and water heater can also reduce the harmful effects of hard water.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Belleville?

When you hire our plumbers in Belleville, you can expect to pay between $100 and $900 including the cost of materials and labor, or around $430 on average. The cost of our plumbing services generally depends on three primary factors.

Cost Factor: Emergency Service

While certain repairs and services like a water heater upgrade or minor leak are not typically services that require urgent assistance, certain issues need immediate attention. This includes major leaks, broken water heaters, and sewage backups. When you have a plumbing issue that needs immediate assistance, we offer emergency service at a slightly higher cost than our regular service.

We respond to calls 24/7 and when you need emergency service. We arrive promptly within our normal business hours by altering our schedule and can arrive outside our normal business hours to ensure the safety of your home.

Cost Factor: Type of Plumbing Service

The type of plumbing service we are providing can also impact the cost. Different plumbing services require different hours and resources to complete. In general, the most affordable plumbing services are maintenance and inspection. These services are quick and can save you money by increasing the efficiency and longevity of your plumbing system. Minor repairs can also be inexpensive compared to major repairs.

Replacements, installations, and major repairs are the most expensive services. They require the most hours and resources to complete, along with permits and inspections.

Cost Factor: Material Costs

The cost of materials also has an impact on the cost of our plumbing services in Belleville. Some materials are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install, like PVC. Other materials are expensive, heavy, and more complicated to install, like copper.

When installing, repairing, and replacing parts of the plumbing system, we need to use a compatible material. This means repairing a copper plumbing line can be more expensive than a similar PVC plumbing line.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Belleville?

Improving your plumbing system’s efficiency is an excellent way to save money. The average resident in Belleville pays a flat rate of $0.58 per 100 gallons of water. The cost can add up when you have a leak or inefficient appliances and fixtures. A simple faucet leak that drips once every second can use 3,000 gallons of water in a year. Fixing any leaks can reduce your water bill and will eventually pay for itself.

While upgrading your water heater may seem like a large investment, it can significantly impact your energy bill. A water heater over 10 years old is generally due for a replacement, but the hard water in Belleville can reduce that lifespan significantly. Switching to an energy-efficient, Energy Star water heater can reduce your water heating costs by half.

If you already have a recent water heater, you can still save a considerable amount on your water bill by upgrading your plumbing fixtures to WaterSense products. WaterSense is approved by the EPA to reduce your water consumption by 20% compared to conventional plumbing fixtures. By regulating the flow, it will also reduce the water that needs to be heated for showers, dishes, and other uses to lower your water and energy bills.

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

It can sometimes be difficult to determine if you should call the water utility company or our plumbers in Belleville to quickly resolve your plumbing issues. We will discuss the services your water utility company provides vs our plumbing services to help you decide who to call.

Water Utility Company

In Belleville, the water utility company that provides water and sewage service is American Water. The company is responsible for starting and stopping service and installing the water meter for customers. American Water also provides services for your water meter and can help you detect and fix leaky meters, inconsistent readings, and fluctuating pressures. If you have an issue with your bill or need information about your water service, American Water can also assist.

American Water provides repairs to the municipal water lines and wastewater lines throughout the city. They also provide maintenance and ensure the quality of the water. In most cases, American Water cannot help you with plumbing issues around the home, but our affordable plumbers can.

Plumber

If your plumbing issue is not listed above, this is where our licensed plumbers in Belleville can assist you. We provide repairs, removal, installation, replacement, maintenance, and inspections to homeowners throughout the city. We service plumbing-related equipment like water heaters and garbage disposals of various makes and models.

The following is a small selection of the most popular plumbing services we provide:

• Toilet Repair
• Drain Repair
• Leak Detection and Repair
• Water Heater Maintenance
• Water Softener Installation
• Fixture Replacement
• Repiping
• Shower and Bath Installation
• Sump Pump Replacement
• Pipe Insulation

We offer a wide selection of services to improve your plumbing system for convenience and water efficiency. We also provide 24/7 emergency service to assist you with your urgent plumbing needs.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Belleville?

Most plumbing services in Belleville will require a permit. St. Clair County requires a permit for any modification, relocation, or replacement of sewage, drainage, water lines, ventilation, and gas lines. Repairs that do not require a permit are considered ordinary repairs and include clogged drains and minor leak repairs. These ordinary repairs must not include cutting away a wall or modification of the existing plumbing lines.

Our licensed plumbers in Belleville can pull the permit for you and ensure the work is completed safely and in compliance with local codes.