AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Frederick, MD

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Frederick?

Plumbing problems can be intimidating. Here are some of the most common problems in Frederick:

Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets are probably the most common problem in Frederick. Sometimes the drip is caused by a worn-out O-ring, which can be replaced, but sometimes it can be caused by corrosion or your faucet being installed improperly.

Running Toilets

Running toilets aren’t a major problem, but a common one. Not only does it waste water, but it can also drive up your water bill.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains only get worse over time. No matter where they are, from your sink to your bathtub, they aren’t going to get better by themselves. What can start as a small clog can become a big block fairly quickly. Once the pipes are blocked, you can be looking at water damage or a burst pipe. The only way around it is to tackle a clogged drain right away.

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes can be caused by bad clogs, incorrect pipe placement, pipe corrosion, pipe joint damage, excessive water pressure, or cracked seals. This type of problem needs to be fixed fast. The longer it goes untreated, the worse the problem is going to get.

Leaking Hose Bibb

This is common in Frederick, especially in the spring and summer. After it’s been cold for a while and starts to get warm again, bibbs that aren’t protected can crack and leak. If this is happening frequently, it might be worth looking into a frost-proof hose bibb.

Sump Pump Failure

Problems with your sump pump can be anything from the very simple to the complex. Problems include stuck switches, an excess of water (especially after heavy rain), improper pump installation, older pumps (pumps that are ten years or older are prone to breaking), or clogged discharge pipes.

Water Heater Problems

Everyone needs hot water, so it can be a major hassle when a water heater malfunctions. Typical problems include the heating element failing, a home’s needs outgrowing the heater’s power, corrosion or sediment in the system, improper installation, or loose or broken electrical connections.

Weak Water Pressure

There are a lot of things that can cause weak water pressure, from a shutoff valve problem to a backup in the city water supply. It could also mean there’s a leak in your pipes. Whatever the issue, the faster you get it looked at, the fewer headaches for you.

Clogged Garbage Disposal

 A clogged garbage disposal can cause a lot of problems and is not something you want to take care of by yourself. Every year, hundreds of people go to the Emergency Room because they think they can remove a clog themselves, and they end up cutting themselves. Let the professional handle your clogs.

How Does the Water in Frederick Affect Your Plumbing?

The major problem in Frederick is what is called hard water. Hard water is just water with high mineral content. Calcium and magnesium are usually the minerals in question, but they could be other minerals as well. It’s not dangerous to drink, although it will affect the taste. However, if you’ve been living in the area for a while, it probably tastes normal, but it can wreak havoc on a plumbing system.

Hard water can cause calcite deposits to build up on the inside of pipes and along the rim of faucets and drains. A calcite deposit is usually a white or yellowish hard substance, and if spotted, it usually means there’s calcite in your water. This can affect how your water flows as the space inside your pipe narrows. It also increases the pressure on your pipe, which can lead to leaks and breaks. You’ll be calling a plumber more than normal if you have hard water, but it can be balanced with chemicals in a process, which is called softening it.

Water in Frederick also tends to have a low pH balance and high alkalinity, meaning it can be more corrosive. Blue-green stains in your showers and on your sink are a sign of corrosive water which will cause your pipes to need to be replaced before their time. High alkaline water can also pose a health risk, but can be aided with water treatment systems.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Frederick?

Most of us in the area charge between $60 and $65 an hour for an easier job and up to 95 dollars an hour for more complex work. The average cost of a plumbing job in Maryland is anywhere from $85 to $615. Many factors play a part in the price.

Labor

Labor costs are the number one factor that will affect what you pay for a plumber. Several things affect labor costs. If it is an emergency repair, it will end up costing more. The difficulty of getting to the problem also affects labor costs, so does the complexity of the job that you want to be done. For example, installing a water heater is going to involve more labor than fixing a clog.

Rebates

Rebates can save you money on your plumbing costs in the long run. For example, you can get a tax credit for installing an energy-efficient water heater or getting credit from your utility company to install energy-efficient showerheads. If we go to your house for a call, it is a good idea to ask us about what can be done to get a rebate, especially in a system that needs to be fixed anyway.

Job Type

The type of job that needs to be done is also a major factor in price. If you need to fix a sewer pipe, for example, you’ll probably need to dig down to the pipe. Not only will you be paying for the labor of getting to the pipe, but you’ll also be paying for the extra machinery needed to do the job. If the job is a routine, easy job it will be cheaper. If the job involves a great deal of expertise and heavy machinery, it will cost more.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Frederick?

There are quite a few ways better plumbing can save you money:

• Water treatment: If you have hard water or a pH problem, getting water treatment to solve the problem permanently will save you money over needing to call us to deal with the symptoms of your water system.
• Energy-efficient appliances: Energy-efficient appliances save you money in a few different ways. As mentioned above, certain energy-efficient appliances can get you a rebate or tax break. Naturally, you will save yourself money on gas and water bills, and the latest water heaters last twice as long as their predecessors, meaning less expensive replacements.
  
• Low flush toilets: Low flush toilets don’t require a great deal of labor and are easy to install. They can also save you nearly two thousand dollars on your water bill over the lifetime of the appliance.

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

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide if you should call the water utility or a plumber to fix your problem. If you need a new sink or a new water heater, you know you’re going to need us, but what if there is a leak? Who you call when you discover a leak is often determined by where the leak is.

If the leak is in your home and you are seeing your water bill slowly start to rise, you are better off calling us. Water utility companies only fix leaks on their side of your water meters. If you are seeing higher bills, it is usually because your meter is turning more frequently, which means the problem is probably between the meter and the house, meaning you’ll need us. However, things are different if it hasn’t rained and you see a puddle in the middle of your driveway. There may be a leak in the pipes underground. In that case, it could be the house pipes or the utilities’ pipes. One thing you can do is to turn off the water valves in your house and check your water meter. If it’s still turning, the leak is on your side, and you’ll need to call us. If it’s not turning, then the leak is in the utilities’ pipes. In that case, you are better off calling the water utility and having them deal with the problem.

If there is a leak in your lines and you end up with a high bill, even if you paid for a plumber, it might be worth giving your utility a call anyway. Some utilities will give their customers a rebate because they called us and got the leak fixed. You’ll want to include a copy of your plumbing bill along with your water bill.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Frederick?

According to the Frederick city website, plumbing permits are required to provide practical plumbing regulations for the safeguarding of people and property from hazards arising from unsanitary and unhealthy plumbing conditions. Any time that plumbing work is to be done, a plumbing permit is required. If the work is being performed in connection with a building permit, then the plumbing permit is not approved until after the building permit is approved. You don’t need a permit when you are clearing stoppage in waste lines or repairing faucets and toilets.