AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Bay City, MI

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Bay City?

We have seen pretty much any plumbing disaster one can think of over the years, though the three most common issues we run into in Bay City are clogged drains, leaks, and running toilets. 

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are an annoying problem that can go from bad to worse in just a few days. Clogs are typically caused by hair, soap, food particles, and other matter forming a blockage that allows less water or no water through. If more than one drain in your house is clogged, this may indicate a more widespread issue, such as tree roots breaking into your pipes or other wastewater main problems. 

Clogged drains can also become even more problematic if they allow standing water in your sink or bathtub, as bacteria and fungi can grow and thrive in moist and warm environments. It’s best not to delay getting help with a clogged drain, as they can allow pressure to build up that can result in major property damage if the pipe leaks or bursts. Also, avoid using chemical drain cleaners to clear away blockages, as these can corrode your pipes and lead to even higher repair bills later on. Plus, these products are toxic and awful for the environment, so call a plumber instead. 

Leaks

Leaks can occur in your home’s pipes or fixtures and they can end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water in a relatively short amount of time. This can make your monthly water bill skyrocket and it also has major environmental consequences. You may notice a leak in your home if you find puddles on the floor or other surfaces, or if your water pressure suddenly drops. 

Like clogs, leaks can go from mild to severe quickly which can damage your home’s floors, ceilings, walls, and furniture. A leak won’t fix itself or go away on its own, so call in for help as soon as possible. 

Running Toilets

Most people don’t realize that toilets take up nearly 30 percent of your home’s water consumption. This is especially true for older and less efficient toilets that use up to six gallons of water per flush. Toilets use even more water when they constantly run, wasting hundreds of gallons per week and thousands per year. Running toilets often make running water noises throughout the day and night, which are annoying on their own, but some running toilets aren’t quite as obvious. 

To figure out if your toilet is running, you can add a drop of food coloring to the tank of your toilet and wait ten minutes. If the water in the bowl is colored, your toilet is running. Be sure to flush the coloring right after your experiment to prevent staining and call a plumber right away if you have a running toilet. 

How Does the Water in Bay City Affect Your Plumbing?

Although our water is considered high-quality and safe to drink, it still contains high levels of hard mineral ions, like calcium and magnesium. These ions leach into water supplies from rocks and soil, but they aren’t harmful to ingest or use in everyday household chores. Hard water isn’t exactly harmless, however, as it can create hard water buildup within your home’s pipes, making your home use water less efficiently. 

It can also cause dry skin and hair, stained laundry, cloudy dishes, and soap scum among other issues, so many people benefit from the installation of a water softener if they don’t have one already. Water softeners are efficient devices that exchange hard water ions with soft water ions, usually sodium and potassium, providing your family with great-tasting water that won’t dry out their skin or stain their laundry. 

If you already have a water softener, but you’re still experiencing hard water problems, it may be time for water softener repairs or a complete replacement. Water softeners can generally last at least a decade, so you may be ready for a new unit if yours is outdated. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Bay City?

Residents of Bay City usually pay around $400 for plumbing services, but your final bill may be much higher or lower depending upon which services you need. When we calculate plumbing costs, the three most important factors we take into account are the size of the job, which types of materials are needed, and whether you require emergency services. 

Size of the Job

Having your plumber fix a running toilet or clogged drain usually doesn’t take more than an hour or two and they can almost always finish the job on their own. Larger and more complicated jobs, like having a septic system installed or replacing all of your plumbing, often require us to bring more staff members and these projects can take days or weeks. The larger an undertaking is for your plumber, the more you can expect to pay for it. 

Types of Materials Needed

When the time comes to replace your pipes or fixtures, your plumber will help you select which type of materials you should choose to suit your needs and fit your budget. Higher quality materials will last longer and perform better, though they will cost you a bit more than cheaper materials. In the end, however, getting higher quality pipes or fixtures can save you money in the long run by allowing your home to use water more efficiently and they can reduce the odds that you’ll need frequent repairs. 

Emergency Services

Some plumbing issues can wait until morning to be resolved, but others, like burst pipes, should be taken care of right away. Having a plumber come in to take care of a plumbing emergency at two in the morning will cost you more than it would during normal business hours, but those extra costs are worth it because they can prevent property damage and the need for more expensive repairs later on. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Bay City?

No matter where you live, better plumbing can save you substantial amounts of money in the long run. Many people put off having new pipes or fixtures installed because of the intimidating up-front costs, but having newer equipment made with better materials can make your home use water more efficiently and reduce your monthly water bills significantly. 

You may also notice that you need to call a plumber in for repairs less frequently with new and improved plumbing, and your odds of having a pipe burst go way down with newly replaced pipes. Plus, those who are considering selling their home in the near future can increase the value of their home by having new plumbing installed on their property. Prospective buyers like knowing that they won’t have to worry about plumbing when they are looking to buy, and people are willing to pay more for a house that doesn’t need additional work. 

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

In most plumbing-related cases, you’ll have to hire a plumber to come to your house and take a look. The only times you should call the water utility company instead is if you have questions about your water bill or if you need to start or stop your service. You should also call them or the public works department if you see water-related problems on public property, like flooding in a public park. 

For most other circumstances, you should call a plumber to investigate what is going on with your plumbing. If they find out that your issues are due to a city water problem, they can call the right entity to get the issue resolved for you. If the problem does stem from your home’s plumbing system, they can get to work right away on remedying the problem. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Bay City?

In most cases, you won’t need a plumbing permit to have your plumber fix existing pipes or fixtures unless those repairs involve having new materials installed. Having minor leaks or clogs fixed doesn’t require a permit from the city. You will need a permit, however, if you are having new pipes or fixtures installed in your home or on your property, including garbage disposal, sewage system, or floor drain. The permit process usually involves filling out paperwork, paying a fee, and having the permit issued to you upon approval before your plumber can get to work. 

If you aren’t sure whether your particular project will require a permit, your plumber will understand the local laws and ordinances that determine permit needs. They can even help you fill out the paperwork if you aren’t sure how to fill it out. 

It’s incredibly important that you don’t skip the permitting process, even though you probably don’t want to pay a fee or fill out paperwork. Permits are put into place to make sure work is done safely to protect you, your family, and your neighbors. Having plumbing projects done without a permit can result in high fines and it can take thousands of extra dollars to later bring the work up to code. Plus, nobody will want to buy a house that has unpermitted work, as homeowner’s insurance won’t cover damage caused by faulty plumbing that wasn’t permitted.