AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Gaithersburg, MD

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Gaithersburg?

Gaithersburg is located in Montgomery County, a little over 20 miles from the Nation’s Capital. Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 and became a perfect getaway for Washington, D.C. residents after the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad opened in the 1870s. Gaithersburg is now a popular suburb of Washington, D.C, and home to the International Latitude Observatory, built-in 1899.

Some of the oldest homes in Gaithersburg are located in the Observatory Heights area, built between 1946 and 1969. Many modern homes have been built from 1980 to the present as the suburb experienced rapid growth. This means homes are a mixture of new and old, with plumbing systems that can have various issues.

Drain Clogs

Slow drains and clogged drains are a common reason to call our plumbers in Gaithersburg. Clogs can form due to debris, hair, and paper products and can be difficult to remove. Fats, oils, and grease can also be a significant cause of clogs and are often overlooked. The liquid oil goes down the drain quickly when cleaning dishes but solidifies on the drain pipes’ edges. The solid oil can collect other debris and cause a problematic obstruction.

Unfortunately, the city has very hard water, which promotes clogging. The minerals in the water build up on the interior of your pipes, creating blockages and reducing the flow of debris through the pipes.

When your drain is slow or stops altogether, it is best to call our licensed plumbers in Gaithersburg. Over-the-counter liquid plumbing solutions can seem like a convenient fix, but they can also be hazardous and may not completely fix your drain problems.

Leaks

Leaks can occur in old and new pipes and are a common reason to call our plumbers in Gaithersburg. Corrosion is typically the cause of leaks in old pipes. Copper pipes are known for rusting in certain conditions, leading to pinhole leaks and pitting. These tiny leaks are challenging to detect in the early stages and can result in flooding and water damage before they are found.

Leaks are more common in Gaithersburg than many other cities because the hard water in the area corrodes o-rings, aerators, plumbing fixtures, and gaskets rapidly. These can all contribute to leaks over time.

New pipes can also leak, but typically any leakage is caused by improper installation. Our licensed plumber in Gaithersburg can ensure your plumbing is correctly installed and leak-free. We can also assist with leaks in new and old pipes.

Leaky pipes can also be exploited by tree roots from our massive native trees, causing further damage and obstructions in sewage and water lines. While roots are less likely to break well-sealed pipes, they can exploit corrosion and cracks as they search for water. It is best to plant trees far from home and maintain pipes to avoid tree roots breaching the line.

Frozen Pipes

Winters can be chilly in Gaithersburg, resulting in frozen pipes and a call to our plumbers. If your pipes are not insulated, our experts can help you affordably insulate the pipes to reduce the chance of freezing.

To avoid freezing pipes during cold weather, keep a faucet in the home running slightly, so the water barely trickles from the tap. Keeping your tap running may increase your water bill for the month but should prevent any freezing until you can have the pipes insulated. If your pipes freeze, it is essential to turn off your water supply and call our plumbers in Gaithersburg. Leaving the water supply on can result in burst pipes.

How Does the Water in Gaithersburg Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Gaithersburg can hurt your plumbing. Gaithersburg water is supplied by WSSC Water and comes from the Potomac River. The river water is clean and safe to drink, but it has a high hardness at 120 to 130 milligrams of calcium and magnesium per liter of water. The water is considered very hard.

Hard water can cause problems for your plumbing system, equipment, and appliances. When water with considerable hardness is heated, the minerals can line surfaces with a scaly build-up. It can line pipes that carry hot water, decreasing the flow of the pipes. It can also build up inside the water heater, lowering the water heater’s energy efficiency. Most residents notice hard water as a scaly build-up in coffee makers and tea kettles or have trouble washing soap from their skin and hair.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Gaithersburg?

The cost of your plumbing service will typically range between $100 and $950 depending on several factors. We will discuss the three main factors that impact the cost of hiring a plumber in Gaithersburg.

Emergency Service

If you have an urgent plumbing issue that requires immediate assistance outside our regular business hours, we can offer 24/7 emergency service for an additional cost. We respond quickly and provide prompt service.

While many plumbing issues can wait some time to be repaired, urgent problems like broken water heaters, burst pipes, significant leaks, and sewage backups require immediate assistance. Our plumbers in Gaithersburg will alter our schedule or offer services outside business hours to ensure your comfort and safety.

Materials

Materials can have a significant impact on the cost of plumbing services. When repairing, installing, and replacing plumbing lines, it is essential to use compatible materials. These materials can range in price and have different installation requirements that can also affect service cost.

Older homes typically use cast iron, galvanized steel, or copper pipes. These older materials can be long-lasting but generally are more expensive to replace than modern materials. They are heavy materials and require soldering to join the pipes, and if they are leaky, large sections of pipe may need to be replaced.

Certain older materials can also contain lead. Lead was used in copper solder until 1986 and was also found in galvanized steel pipes from before 1978. We can flush lead from the system, but the old pipes should be replaced, making the service more costly.

PVC and PEX are modern materials that are lightweight and easy to install. PEX is more expensive but is preferred for drinking water and hot water installations. PVC is the least expensive material to install and has been widely used in homes since the 1960s.

Type of Plumbing Service

The type of service is also a significant factor in the overall cost of hiring our plumbers in Gaithersburg. The kind of service can impact the number of hours, permits, and supplies required to handle a job.

Typically, the most costly plumbing services are installations, replacements, and major repairs. While maintenance, inspection, and minor repairs such as leaks and clogs are typically the least expensive. It is best to keep your plumbing well maintained to avoid significant investments, but upgrading your plumbing equipment and fixtures can sometimes be a money-saving investment.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Gaithersburg?

Better plumbing can be an excellent way to save money on your water and energy bills. The typical Gaithersburg resident pays between $5.35 and $8.15 per 1,000 gallons of water, depending on the daily consumption. This means that saving water can save a significant amount of money.

Fixing leaks is a straightforward way to save money. A leaky showerhead can consume about 500 gallons of water in a year. Our plumbers in Gaithersburg can quickly and affordably repair a leaky showerhead, toilet, or faucet, saving you hundreds or thousands of gallons of water.

If your fixtures are leaky, it may be an excellent opportunity to replace them with a water-efficient WaterSense product. The EPA-approved WaterSense products save 20% more water than conventional plumbing fixtures. You are reducing your water consumption and saving money.

Another way to save money is by reducing the energy costs of your water heater. A new Energy Star certified water heater uses half the energy of a standard water heater. Old water heaters are also more likely to leak, causing costly damage and repairs. If your water heater is ten years old, consider speaking to our plumbers in Gaithersburg about upgrading to an Energy Star model.

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

If you have a plumbing issue, it can sometimes be challenging to determine if you should call our plumbers in Gaithersburg or your Water Utility Company. The following scenarios will help you make the right choice.

Water Utility Company

In Gaithersburg, the Water Utility Company is WSSC Water. They provide clean drinking water and sewage disposal throughout the city. If you are looking to start a new water service or end an existing one, WSSC water can help you. They can also assist you with your bills and water meter.

Sometimes your water meter can provide inaccurate readings or provide fluctuating pressure throughout your home. WSSC Water can provide testing to ensure the meter is correctly reading the water flowing through it.

WSSC Water is responsible for your water meter. They will repair, replace, and maintain the meter. They are also responsible for the City’s plumbing infrastructure and can fix any leaks in the water mains or other public water lines. 

Plumber in Gaithersburg

If your plumbing issue does not involve your water meter and is located within your home or property, our affordable plumbers in Gaithersburg can likely offer a solution. Our plumbers can provide remedial help like maintenance, inspection, replacement, and repairs, along with new installations.

Some of the professional services we provide include:

• Fixture replacement and repair
• Leak repair
• Drain unclogging
• Bath and shower repair and replacement
• Toilet repair and replacement
• Sink and faucet repair and replacement
• Water heater maintenance and repair
• Water softener installation
• Garbage disposal maintenance and repair
• Sump pump installation and replacement
• Repiping

Our plumbers are licensed and provide service for a variety of plumbing systems and plumbing equipment brands. We offer 24/7 emergency service for your urgent repairs and handle everything from frozen pipes to flooded basements.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Gaithersburg?

Generally, minor repairs and maintenance do not require a permit in Gaithersburg, but you may need a permit if you have a more substantial repair, installation, or replacement. Gaithersburg requires a permit from WSSC Water for specific plumbing work.

Any water line and sewage line replacements, repiping, furnace and water heater installation, and work involving fuel or gas lines will require a permit. Only a licensed plumber like ours can pull a permit for these services, so it is essential to hire us in Gaithersburg to ensure the work is permitted and adequately completed.