AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Palatine, IL

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Palatine?

Palatine is a village in Cook County, Illinois, and a northwestern residential suburb of Chicago. The village was founded in 1866 and built around a station on the new Chicago and North Western Railway. However, since 1999, Palatine has been in the process of revitalizing its downtown and providing the area with a new passenger train station, nearby parking garages, several new homes and condos, and quite a few commercial buildings. 

Although the area is filled with numerous attractions, natural beauty, and endless activities, it is not without its faults. The village of Palatine has a variety of issues it deals with when it comes to its plumbing. As a result, it is important that homeowners stay aware of these concerns in order to ensure that these problems do not escalate into major home damage. 

Frozen and Burst Pipes

In Palatine, during the winter months, the temperature can drop below 0° F. This can mean bad news for the water pipes in the area, as these temperatures can result in frozen pipes. These frozen pipes do not only create an inconvenience, but they can also seriously damage the property. For these reasons, if you notice that there appears to be frost on the pipes, strange smells coming from the drain, or the water is not coming out of the faucet, then you need to call us in to check on this issue and take care of the problem before it escalates into the pipes bursting.

Leaky Pipes and Water Damage

Water leaks are often a big deal for homeowners. No matter if they are caused by a burst pipe or aging pipes when water leaks, it can result in a significant amount of wasted water, thousands of dollars in water damage, and astronomical water bills. 

Unfortunately, not all leaks start in an easy-to-access place. Many times these leaks develop behind walls, underneath floors, or in the ceiling, making it incredibly difficult to find and access the leak. That is why if you suspect a leak, you need to call us immediately, to take care of this issue before it becomes a significant home improvement undertaking. 

Mineral Buildup and Low Water Pressure Issues

Our area has hard water, which means that it contains a surplus of minerals. As water flows through your pipes, over time, minerals that get deposited within the pipes create layer after layer of buildup. As it thickens, there is less space for your water to flow, so this actually restricts water flow. If you think you have less water flowing out or notice that it now begins to trickle, it is likely that you have a water pressure problem. These pressure issues often develop when there are deposits in the aerators and pipes or there are pipe leaks that prevent that water from making its way out to the faucet. 

Although these water pressure issues may not seem like a plumbing emergency, the longer you wait to get the problem fixed, the higher the chance is of water becoming blocked and the situation becoming incredibly difficult to control.

Malfunctioning Appliances

When mineral buildup has formed inside your appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines, they may begin to malfunction. Sediment within the appliances hinder them from performing efficiently. Aside from that, they may use up more energy. Water heaters, for example, will take longer to heat up. The sediment also makes it more difficult for heat to escape, causing your heater to overheat.

How Does the Water in Palatine Affect Your Plumbing?

Palatine gets its water from Lake Michigan by way of the Evanston Treatment Facility and the Northwest Water Commission. Yet, even though the water is safe to drink, it tends to be hard. In fact, Illinois in general, is a hard water state, which means the water can leave white deposits on plumbing fixtures and cause damage to the water heaters. 

When pipes are continuously exposed to this hard water, they can experience damaged seals, washers, valve blockages, and ruined finishes. In worst-case scenarios, this water can also cause limescale buildup inside the pipes, which will result in extensive plumbing repairs, substantial inefficiencies, and costly plumbing bills. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Palatine?

In Palatine, the average cost of plumbing is around $425. Yet, this price can be lower or higher depending on the plumbing work that is required. As a result, it is vital that homeowners understand more about these different factors that can impact the cost of their plumbing so that they can be prepared to handle the bills. 

Labor Costs and Emergency Services 

If the plumbing in the house requires emergency plumbing services, the costs involved will be much higher than a regular plumbing repair visit. However, do not let these costs stop you from getting your plumbing fixed. These emergency plumbing services can often stop devastating consequences and help prevent extensive water damage resulting in the home.

Outside of these emergency services, the cost of the job will depend on the specific plumbing work that needs to be completed. For instance, a leaky pipe will be less costly than the installation of a new water heater. 

Job Complexity

Another factor you need to consider is the complexity of the plumbing work. Although, most plumbing issues involve common problems such as a running toilet, leaky pipe, or a clogged drain, which are often a relatively quick fix for us. There are some plumbing projects, such as major plumbing overhauls, that can take many hours to complete and require intricate plumbing parts that can raise the overall costs. 

Costly Plumbing Parts

If the plumbing involves a common issue, it is likely that we will have the required tools needed to take care of the job quickly, without ordering any extra materials, fixtures, or tools. However, if the job is more complex and requires unique plumbing parts, then you can expect the overall cost of the job to increase, as you will now be accountable for not only paying for the labor but also for the costly materials. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Palatine?

Better plumbing can save you money in Palatine by helping you save on your utility bills. The EPA recommends replacing all old fixtures with newer, more efficient ones. WaterSense-labeled products guarantee that you use 20% less water than older fixtures, without compromising performance. Aside from that, it is also energy-efficient. For more information on money-saving products, services, and rebate programs and partnerships, click here. 

As you switch out and upgrade your fixtures and or replace your pipes, make sure that you have our team of professionals help you.

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Palatine Vs Hire a Plumber?

For many homeowners that experience a water issue, it can be challenging to figure out under the circumstances if they need to contact us or the water utility company. Thankfully, you do not have to stress about this situation any longer. We have outlined a few guidelines below that can help you figure out who you need to contact if you experience a plumbing emergency. 

When to Contact Us

If your sinks are not draining correctly, the water sewage is backing up into your home, the water bills begin to spike, or you notice a water leak in your house, give us a call. We’re available 24/7 and can quickly come out, figure out what the plumbing issue is, and take care of it before it becomes an expensive home repair project. 

When to Contact the Water Utility Company

On the other hand, if you’re experiencing water trouble and it’s also affecting your neighbors or we’ve told you that it’s not on your side of the water main, you should contact the utility company. If you see a leak in your neighbor’s house, but nobody is home, you see water pooling on your street because the water main broke, or the water in your home goes out, you’d also need to call your water utility company. These companies will often send contractors to investigate the issue, figure out where the problem lies, and get the situation resolved fast. Plus, they can also keep you updated about the water outages in the area and notify you when you will get your water restored. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Palatine?

The village of Palatine requires permits for outdoor and indoor structural work, significant changes to the home’s living area, and freestanding structures. These permits are often in place to ensure that minimum safety standards are met and that construction meets the local zoning and building requirements. That is why it is important that residents in the area understand these building codes and local regulations before proceeding with major improvement projects, including their plumbing repair jobs or replacement work. 

In addition, it is also important to note that in most cases, a permit will not be required for the following residential projects:

• Painting walls (interior and exterior)
• Replacing a window or door with the same unit and within the same framed opening
• Installing new flooring in the house
• Replacing a faucet

Yet, because these permits are project-specific, it is essential that you check with an inspector in the village and verify whether you need a permit for your plumbing services and, if so, what are the required steps to obtain one.