AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Salisbury, MD

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Salisbury?

Most homes have a similar set of issues in relation to plumbing problems. These can include anything from a small leak to broken pipes and fixtures. Here is a simple list of common problems in Salisbury:

• Clogs in toilets or drains
• Leaking pipes
• Cold “hot” water – Since Salisbury has very cold winters, water heaters take a lot of stress. 
• Appliances not cleaning
• Exposed pipes and outdoor fixtures freezing- In the Northern city of Salisbury, one common issue is the freezing of exposed pipes and outdoor fixtures. There are a few ways to prevent a pipe from freezing, including wrapping the pipe with newspaper or heat tape, covering the pipe with insulation, or redirecting the pipe within the acceptable codes to be inside the home rather than being exposed.

How Does the Water in Salisbury Affect Your Plumbing?

The most beautiful part about the water around Salisbury is the fact that it tastes so good it has won awards, even in blind taste tests. The key to the greatest water is having a wonderful source. With 11 wells tapping into the Coastal Plain aquifer and pumping to the filtration and cleaning facilities, there is not much need to buy bottled water. The effects of ouor wonderful drinking water do not stop at your taste buds. Though excellent tasting water that is available anywhere can increase your body’s hydration, showering in this wonderful water also increases the health of your hair and skin. However, it does not stop at human health. This water does not leave very many hard water deposits inside of pipes, causing less corrosion and clogging to occur from the water quality.

However, there are a few problems with water contaminants. Local contaminants include barium and nitrates, which should not be drunk by small children. The contaminant most worried about is lead, but only if you have an older set of pipes. Houses built before 1986 can have lead pipes which leach the lead into the water. Consider having the home water tested if your house was built prior to then, and have the pipes inspected or replaced.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Salisbury?

Plumbing costs are dependent on each individual job. A flat-rate fee for small jobs in Salisbury may run around $100, but once you start adding in the three main factors, then you will see the price go up. These include materials and piping, project size, labor and equipment.

1: Labor and equipment

One of the first things quoted for most projects will be the hourly fee. Flat rate jobs will not usually see this unless the job takes a bad turn and there is more than a simple plumbing problem. Each of our crew members must be compensated for their time, and that leads to the hourly fees. It covers the simple equipment used and the plumber who uses them. However, should extra equipment be necessary, an extra fee can be charged to cover maintenance, cleaning, or rental of the equipment. Charges can range from $100 to well over $5,000 depending on the size and equipment necessary for the project.

2: Project Size

As another factor that affects the final bill, the size of the project can vary widely. The smaller flat rate projects will require simple tools and one or two crew members to complete. However, larger projects like a whole-home installation can run over $10,000, or repiping a home can require several crews of workers and one of our master plumbers to oversee them. Once you get to the larger projects, you will also have to factor in fees for permits, inspections, and repair costs for any wall or ceiling excavations. Charges push up if more time is necessary for our plumbing crew to complete a job and increase by adding on materials.

3: Materials and Piping

By far, the most expensive and time-consuming aspect of our plumber’s job is obtaining the proper tools, fixtures, sealants, pipes, and valves to complete jobs. All the material and piping are extra costs, as the quotes are usually for the time and labor to repair or replace fixtures. Ordering appliances or other fixtures can take some extra time, as well, delaying the completion of the work. The brand, type, and size of the materials or pipe play a large factor in the cost of materials.

Try to remember to buy “the perfect” fixture yourself. Mr. Blue Plumbing will always give their opinion and size recommendations prior to buying. Also, remember that having a plumber on-site also can cost your family time. For the safety of our company’s reputation, we will not work without a responsible adult inside the home. There is a good side to the excessive replacement costs of some home repairs. Maryland has a few programs to help with plumbing and housing payment issues for those who qualify. Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to bring homes up to codes and standards. Lead Hazard Reduction Grant and Loan Program is a program to help with the lead-based hazards associated with older homes. It only takes a few minutes to search to find rebates associated with water-efficient replacements.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Salisbury?

Water conservation is not just for parts of the country that do not have a steady supply of fresh water. Aquifers, though deep, can eventually run dry if there is not enough water seepage into them. Conserving and monitoring water saves more than the water; it can help save electricity and money. Here are some of the best plumbing moves to conserve:

• Install digital monitoring of showers and baths to decrease water pressure and ensure the best water temperature from the time the water first turns on.
• Install a tankless water heater to decrease water waste while waiting for the hot water to cycle through the pipes and reduce the amount of stagnant water accumulated inside homes.
• Replace older appliances, including sump pumps, in basements for water-efficient and electricity-efficient models.
• Install a dual flush toilet to reduce water use when not flushing solid waste.
• Installing a whole-home water pressure monitor or low-flow fixtures to reduce the number of gallons of water is ushered through the fixtures.

Small leaks in pipes can become huge problems if not properly taken care of. Set an annual inspection or bi-annual inspection to ascertain the health of your pipes and if they are up to code. This can help fix problems before they cause home damage.

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

There is a time to call the water company, and there is a time to let your plumber call the water company. You do not usually need to call the water company for more than service turn on and off or to pay monthly fees. However, there is another time you may need to besides leaks. Here is how to determine the correct person to call:

• Locate the leak location outside. If it is clearly on your property, turn off the main and call the plumber to investigate. If not, continue.
• Turn off the water at the main.
• Look at the meter. If it is still running, the leak is between your meter and the home. Call Mr. Blue Plumbing. Leave the main off if you are not comfortable turning it back on.
• If the meter stops, the leak is between the city and the meter. It should be safe to turn the main back on. You will need to collect the details and call the water company as soon as possible.

Finding leaks is a necessary step of the homeowner’s responsibility to both the property and water conservation system. There may even be hidden leaks that do not cause extra damage, but those can cause the water to continually be wasted. Inside the toilet is one of these leaks. Seals get old, crack and break, and sometimes, the leak is so small it’s not even noticeable that gallons of water are wasted daily. Place some food coloring inside the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing, if there is a dye in the bowel, replace the flapper. Do not forget to clean out the bowel. Finding these small leaks will not only reduce water waste, but also reduce your water bill.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Salisbury? 

Hiring a licensed, certified, bonded, insured, and registered plumber like Mr. Blue Plumbing is the best bet for your projects. Our plumbers will know exactly what jobs will and will not require a permit. However, it is safe to say that if the job requires replacing pipes, valves, or fixtures, it will require a permit and inspection before water can be turned back on. Smaller projects, like clogs and small leaks, will not require a permit. Annual inspections will also not require a permit.

Ask about warranties on work done- Mr. Blue Plumbing will always have the answers ready. Hire for quality and reputation, not for the lowest price.