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What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Newton?
Plumbing issues are not always alike based on geography. Specific plumbing issues are more prevalent in cities prone to natural disasters or where older homes exist.
Clogged Drains and Frozen Pipes
One of the most common plumbing issues in Newton, based on heavy rains, is clogged drains and frozen pipes, plus Massachusetts’ frigid winters. Frozen water pipes can be just as concerning as a drain clog, with both needing professional plumbing assistance to prevent disasters.
General causes of drain clogs, though, come strictly from human activity. Hair, dirt, and foreign objects always create clogs in sink drains. Sometimes it’s from natural causes like tree roots.
Clogged Toilets
You have no doubt experienced a clogged toilet at one time or another in your Newton home. Plungers or snakes you buy at local home goods stores don’t always work. Poorly-made snakes also cause potential damage to your toilet’s pipes if you’ve never used one before.
Digital cameras for inspection are the new technological way to diagnose clogged toilets, including drains. Never try fixing these problems on your own using foreign objects from around the house.
Clogs in the Sewer Line
When all of your plumbing fixtures collectively act up, it’s probably due to a clogged sewer line. You might notice your toilet making gurgling noises when turning on sinks or when running your washing machine.
These incidents point to a main sewer line clog, which are sometimes seasonal when heavy rainstorms in Newton send debris into sewer drains. Scenarios like this take time to repair by a professional plumber like us.
Water Leaks
Leaks in your pipes are just as common as a plumbing issue. Once you notice a water pipe leak, trouble is potentially brewing. Many leaks are subtle and slow, hence not always bringing immediate evidence of moisture under or behind fixtures.
Water leaks only bring the potential of bringing dangerous mold and mildew into your home. And of course, if a major leak occurs, flooding could happen. Any sign of a leak needs attention from us without delay.
The city of Newton’s Utilities Division does state they’re responsible for water leaks, as long as the pipes are on their side of your property line. Otherwise, as in many places, you’re responsible for a water leak if it falls on your property up to the outside curb valve.
Aging Water Pipes
Living in an older home in Newton can mean deteriorating pipes due to age, potentially changing your water to a red or brown color. Pipe rust is the common cause, a natural process due to decades-long exposure to moisture.
Replacing aging pipes in aging homes is common in Newton due to major concerns about lead in the water. Their Utilities Division continues to replace these aging water pipes for the health of every citizen. Besides, lead is usually in water pipes because the pipe is corroding due to age.
Old brass pipes generally wear out faster in old homes if they are older than ten years. Copper pipes last about 50 years, while steel pipes last up to 75 years.
Low water pressure is one thing to check for to determine if your pipes are too old.
How Does the Water in Newton Affect Your Plumbing?
As previously noted, Newton has continual concerns about lead in their water and outdated systems ensuring safety. It’s also a sobering reminder that corroded or leaky pipes can lead to contaminants ending up in your water.
Your water in Newton needs to stay soft to prevent it from affecting your plumbing. Hard water occurs when water accumulates minerals like calcium or magnesium. When this type of water gets into your pipes, it often creates clogs. It does this because hard water turns into soap scum after reacting with residual soap.
The buildup of mineral scale in water pipes from hard water is a problem we see far too often in Newton. A water softener is usually used as a prevention method. Unfortunately, not every homeowner realizes mineral deposits are in their water pipes before an issue begins.
Despite this being a leading plumbing or water issue, general flooding continues to bring plumbing concerns. Flooding is always a possibility in Newton due to frequent heacy rain in this region of Massachusetts. If your drainage systems aren’t properly working, water can become a costly plumbing expense.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Newton?
What you pay in the way of plumbing repair depends on the severity of the issue. Most plumbing rates are going to stay at scale level. Much of this varies based on what we charge and what we discover.
The average cost for basic plumbing repair in Newton is $469, with the lowest price being $114. On the highest end, you could pay as much as $824 for a more extensive job.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest cost factors and what they could mean for you.
Pipe Replacements
Some plumbing jobs go beyond the basics. Your pipes may be so rusted, they simply have to be replaced. This could raise your plumbing bill significantly, depending on how many new pipes are needed.
Copper pipes cost the most per linear foot, with PVC/PEX pipes being slightly cheaper.
Keep in mind this doesn’t include the cost of permits, inspection fees, or materials.
Labor Time
During floods, a plumbing job could take longer to complete. Fixing clogged drains in these scenarios becomes a complicated and messy job. It might take more than one day to get all repairs done.
That work could take even longer if another major disaster occurs and disrupts water lines. Don’t forget this area of Massachusetts is also susceptible to the remnants of hurricanes once in a while. Hurricane Sandy back in 2012 is just one example. When one of these blows through Newton, plumbing issues really become problematic.
Most plumbing jobs under normal conditions get fixed in one day. Regardless, labor time is a major cost factor that’s becoming more connected to natural disasters.
Additional Fixtures
Perhaps you need more than new pipes. Other materials or fixtures sometimes cost even more. A water heater replacement alone is going to add more expense, not including possible septic system repair or replacement.
Recycling Old Plumbing Materials
With bigger plumbing jobs, disposing of old piping and other removed equipment becomes necessary. Replacing a hot water heater requires finding a place to get rid of it through scrap metal dealers or a recycling center.
Discarding old water pipes is also a major undertaking. We sometimes offer to take your old piping away for you to recycle at an extra cost.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Newton?
Any upgrades to your plumbing saves you money over time since it prevents future issues from ever developing. Investing in a good plumbing service is also well worth the expense considering more complex repairs going forward raises the costs.
If you catch most plumbing issues now, you may not have to worry about piping or fixture replacements for years. Most plumbing issues can get fixed affordably if you pay attention to what’s happening right now.
For true expert plumbing, hire a master plumber with more specialized skills. These types of plumbers have ten or more years of experience after previous experience working as a journeyman. Hiring either one for more advanced work guarantees real expertise. If you hire an apprentice plumber, they only fix basic plumbing issues while under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber.
Also, consider the age of your home and potential plumbing upgrades. Older homes still exist in Newton, sometimes without new fixtures in place. While these homes typically sell for cheaper, investing in better water pipes is essential if it’s never been done. Copper water pipes are a smart investment here since they’re more durable in natural disasters. PEX/PVC water pipes are also popular and easily expand during Massachusetts’ deep freezes.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Newton vs Hire a Plumber?
Plumbing problems sometimes come from nearby water pipes belonging to your water utility, which is your local Utilities Division. Should you call them first if you discover a leak somewhere in the pipeline?
It all depends on the leak location. If you call the Utilities Division now, remember they’ll only repair leaks discovered on their side of your water meter.
One way to tell if a leak exists is to turn off your water and do a check of your water meter. Are the white numbers on your meter panel still turning? If so, then you have a leak somewhere within your property lines. Doing this test yourself saves money because the Utilities Division may charge you to check for the leak.
Only then should you call a professional plumber like us since the Utilities Division (like most water utilities) won’t repair your own leaks.
After you get your plumbing bill, present it to the utility. They may give you a bill credit for taking time to discover the leak.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Newton?
Obtaining permits to do plumbing work sometimes causes confusion and brings unexpected expenses. It’s usually mandatory to obtain a permit if we repair work in your home or business.
Like all major cities, Newton’s laws say any kind of plumbing inspections or alterations to your home or business requires a permit. The only downside to Newton’s permit process is you have to obtain the permit in person or by mail. They no longer accept online permitting at the moment.
To get your permit, you can either visit the City Hall office in person or go through the snail mail process. In the latter case, you need to mail your request to the City of Newton Inspectional Services Department.
Worth noting: If you’re replacing a gas water heater, you don’t need to deal with a permit for removal or installation.
