AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Springfield, IL

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Springfield?

Springfield, IL is a gorgeous city that also serves as the state capital of Illinois. Home to over 115,000 residents, Springfield is known for having an abundance of museums and monuments, lovely outdoor spaces, and so much more. The city was founded in 1821 and has a rich history that can be seen in the numerous historical buildings scattered throughout its streets. Old buildings and homes give our city lots of character and charm, but old buildings also come with their own set of drawbacks, especially when it comes to outdated plumbing. 

Those who have lived in Springfield long enough have likely experienced at least one of the most common plumbing issues we see here, which include running toilets, clogged drains, and root problems. 

Running Toilet

Most running toilets can be easily identified, as they tend to constantly make noise even several minutes or hours after the last flush. Other running toilets are more discrete, not making a sound to allude to running water. In the Springfield area, the hard water can cause damage to the flapper or other equipment in your toilet, deteriorating the components more rapidly than soft water and contributing to leaks. Whether you can hear it or not, running toilets are one of the most common plumbing problems we see, and they can end up being incredibly expensive when left unattended. A running toilet can waste a gallon or more of water per hour, which translates to hundreds of wasted gallons per month and thousands per year.

This not only negatively impacts water conservation efforts but also drastically increases your water bill each month. If you aren’t sure whether you have a running toilet problem, you can add a drop of food coloring to your toilet’s tank and wait ten minutes. If there is colored water in the toilet bowl, your toilet is probably running. After doing this experiment, flush the toilet to prevent staining, and call our plumbers if your toilet is leaking. 

Clogged Drains

Is your home’s water slow to drain in your bathtub or sinks? If so, you are probably dealing with a clogged drain. Clogged drains are usually caused by food, hair, soap, and more coming together to form a blockage that may let less water through at a time or none at all. The city’s hard water also leaves mineral deposits inside the pipes that restrict flow and cause blockages, clogs, and slow drains, especially as they catch hair and other debris more easily. Many people ignore clogs in their drains, hoping they’ll go away on their own, or they use chemical drain-clearing agents that can corrode pipes when used too often. In both cases, disaster can strike, as clogs can lead to burst pipes or leaks if enough pressure builds up, leading to a much more expensive repair than if the problem had been resolved earlier. 

Clogged drains are especially problematic in homes and buildings with older plumbing, like many of the houses in Springfield. It’s not only an annoying problem to deal with, it can also become hazardous in no time at all, especially if the drains allow standing water for too long. Mold and bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, and they’re all too happy to take up residence in your bathtub when your drain is clogged for long periods of time. 

Root Problems

We are lucky enough to have tons of trees and natural greenery in Springfield, and this helps to keep our city looking great. Unfortunately, trees — especially the massive species we have in the city — can cause major plumbing issues when their roots begin to put pressure on underground piping. Roots can crack pipes and grow into them, leading to whole-house clogs and inefficient plumbing and sewage systems. If you notice that you have clogs in more than one drain in your home, it could be due to roots that have infiltrated main plumbing lines. 

Fortunately, we can usually repair or replace your underground plumbing without causing major harm to the surrounding trees, and we do everything we can to prevent this problem from occurring again. 

How Does the Water in Springfield Affect Your Plumbing?

Our city water comes from Lake Springfield, and we are lucky to have such clean water running to our homes during all hours of the day. The one problem with our water, however, is that it often contains high levels of hard water ions, like calcium and magnesium. Our water isn’t nearly as hard as other cities in America, but it still contains a high enough concentration to potentially cause household annoyances.

Fortunately, hard water isn’t hazardous to drink, cook with, or use in other household chores, but it does render soaps and detergents less effective, it can build up on fixtures and make them less efficient, and it can cause dry skin and hair. Hard water can also cause cloudiness or staining on dishes and laundry, and it often forces your home to use water less efficiently when it restricts water flow in your pipes. 

If you don’t get your water from the city, you still probably have hard water problems if you use groundwater wells. Calcium and magnesium actually flow into water supplies from soil and minerals, so those using groundwater wells might have even harder water than those who use city water. In either case, having a water softener installed in your home can remedy hard water issues in almost no time at all by exchanging hard water ions with softer ones, usually sodium or potassium. 

If you already have a water softening system but still struggle with hard water issues, you may be in need of water softening repairs, or it might be time for an entirely new system. Our plumbers can work with you to devise a comprehensive plan to get clean and great-tasting water into your home quickly and efficiently. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Springfield?

Most homeowners can expect to pay around $400 for plumbing services in Springfield, but the final bill depends upon numerous factors. Most jobs fall between $90 and $800. When we calculate the costs of plumbing services, the three most important factors we take into account are how large the job is, where the job will take place, and whether the job is an emergency service or routine maintenance. 

Size of Job

Our plumbers handle dozens of different types of jobs that span from fixing tiny leaks to installing completely new plumbing in a new home or home remodel. Larger jobs require more materials, staff, and time to complete, and they will end up costing much more than smaller undertakings. Some projects may appear small at first, like a chronic leak or clog, but can turn out to be a much larger problem that requires a more comprehensive approach. 

Before our plumber begins a project, we’ll provide a free estimate that will allow us to investigate the issue and devise a solution so that we are on the same page cost-wise ahead of time. 

Location of the Job

When you are located within city limits, it won’t take our plumber longer to drive to your house to begin working on your plumbing project. If, on the other hand, you live in an outlying district or on a farm well outside city limits, our plumber will have to take more time and gas to get out to your property. These transportation costs often factor into the final price of your plumbing bill, especially when our plumber has to make multiple trips out to your home. 

The location of the job can also include the local cost of living. In larger cities, like Los Angeles, plumbing services tend to cost much more to align with the high cost of living prices. Fortunately, the overall cost of living in Springfield is relatively modest, so you won’t pay as much for plumbing as someone in NYC might. 

Emergency Services

Plumbing issues aren’t kind enough to wait until the workweek or a more convenient time to occur, which is why we offer 24/7 emergency services. Burst pipes or sewage failure can happen any time, day or night, and it’s usually in your best interest to enlist the help of our emergency plumbers when disaster strikes rather than waiting until the morning. Waiting too long to get help for a burst pipe or severe leak can lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in property damage in no time, so it’s usually best to pay a bit more for emergency services rather than trying to save a few bucks by waiting for regular business hours. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Springfield?

Many homeowners feel that they don’t need to spend money on getting a new plumbing system installed in their home, though if the goal is to actually save money, very few investments pay off like better plumbing. Older pipes tend to be lined with zinc that can corrode and spring leaks or clog easily, forcing you to call our plumbers every couple of weeks or months, and those costs can add up quickly. 

Additionally, better plumbing allows your home to use water more efficiently, and you are likely to see a significant drop in your monthly water utility bills after getting new plumbing fixtures installed in your home. Some families save hundreds, and even thousands, on water expenses after investing in new plumbing. 

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

For most water-related or plumbing issues in your home, you are responsible for hiring our plumbers to investigate and fix the issue. This is true unless your plumbing issue actually stems from the water utility company, but it can be tricky to know whether it’s your home’s plumbing problem or the city’s. It’s usually best to call us first, as we can determine where the issue stems from and contact the right people if it turns out to be a city issue, or they can fix the problem right on the spot. 

The only times you should call the water utility company first is when you need more information about your water bill, or you see flooding or sewage backups on public property. If you see a public water issue, you should call 217-789-2323 ext. 2 right away to report it to the city. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Springfield?

Plumbing permits are typically needed for plumbing services that involve the installation or rearrangement of plumbing fixtures. Plumbing permits are usually not required for routine repairs unless they involve the replacement of some pipes or other equipment. There are many situations that can make it difficult to determine whether a plumbing permit is needed, but ours plumber will be familiar with local laws and ordinances and can help you figure out whether a permit is required for your particular plumbing project.