AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Independence, MO

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Independence?

Anyone who lives in Independence, Missouri is quite aware of the weather conditions that we see here during the winter months. The cold winter nights can cause temperatures to plummet and the end result of that is often the leaks caused when a frozen pipe finally thaws out. That is where we will begin to look at plumbing issues here in Independence.

• Leaking Pipes. We just mentioned the fact of frozen pipes causing leaks. There are other factors that can cause leaking pipes, such as tree roots, foundation movement in your home as a result of the expansive clay soil in the area, and fatigue from aging plumbing infrastructure.
• Leaking Outdoor Spigot. Another issue that can be brought on by freezing temperatures and fatigue.
• Leaks From Faucets/Shower Heads/Outdoor Hydrants. From the first toilet ever designed and installed, there has always been a need for a repair to stop a leak. Even with the technology available today, it’s hard to imagine a faucet that can operate indefinitely without a drip at some point in its life.
• Sewer Line Problems. Just like your water pipes can leak from invasive tree roots, so can your sewer connection. 
• Clogged Drains. When your drain begins to slow a bit, the clog is soon to follow. This is often caused by mineral deposits from the city’s hard water.
• Water Hardness. The presence of minerals in your water is a good thing. We need certain minerals to maintain good health. Your faucet and showerheads do not agree. If you have problems with white scaly deposits on your faucet outlets and showerheads, you have a water hardness issue. Unfortunately, this is very common in Independence because of the hard water in the area. This means that as far as your plumbing is concerned, there are too many minerals, or the minerals that are present are at a higher percentage and that can lead to plumbing fixture failure.

How Does the Water in Independence Affect Your Plumbing?

It wasn’t until we became aware of lead in our drinking water that the importance of a water analysis became paramount in every community across the nation. Independence is no different. The latest water analysis report from 2020 revealed that Independence water is below the limits set forth by the EPA and is safe to drink. Heavy metals, like copper and lead, are also the two main causes of plumbing systems failing due to corrosion of the pipes. The same thing that we are all so concerned about is also a leading cause of plumbing problems.

There are also additives put into your water at the treatment plant level that can cause harm to your home’s plumbing. The additives that are added, while safe for a person to drink, are also eating away at the insides of your plumbing lines. These additives are water-soluble but do leave behind small particulate matter that can erode the inside of your plumbing lines.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Independence?

Let’s take a look at the average costs associated with an Independence plumbing repair. These figures will be posted as the average low, high, and average price paid for a plumbing repair in Independence, Missouri.

• The lowest average cost of plumbing repair in Independence, Missouri is $103.
• The highest average cost of a plumbing repair in Independence, Missouri is745.
• The average price paid for a plumbing repair in Independence, Missouri is $324

These are average figures that should give you a good idea of approximately what your Independence, Missouri plumbing repair could cost. These figures also include things, such as:

• The costs associated with hiring a plumber in Independence, Missouri.
• The average costs for material and supplies in Independence, Missouri.
• The project costs, such as surface preparations and cleanup fees.

Those figures above do not include:

• The costs associated with permits and inspections in Independence, Missouri.
• Missouri state sales taxes for material and supplies.
• The City of Independence local sales taxes on material and supplies.

A good thing to remember when you are facing the need for a plumbing repair is that no two plumbing problems are exactly alike, so no two plumbing repair costs are going to be the same. Let’s now turn our attention to the following three factors that can impact your final cost.

Cost Factor: How Complex is Your Plumbing Repair Project?

Depending on exactly what needs to be repaired and how much of it needs to be repaired or replaced will greatly affect your final costs. If you have a leak in your water line out in your front yard, and we get called to repair it, how much of this water line needs to be repaired, or how many feet are needing to be replaced?

Cost Factor: Will Your Plumbing Repair Project Require Any Additional Manpower?

The above-average costs included hiring our professional plumbers for a two-hour minimum labor charge for a plumbing repair. If your repair needs additional crew members to complete, your final bill could be substantially more.

Cost Factor: Demolition and Reconstruction

If your plumbing repair project is inside your home and inside one of the interior walls, we will need to tear that wall out to make the repair, and then reconstruct the wall. There may also be issues that either you or our professional plumbers are not aware of until the actual repair begins. When you and our plumber initially review your plumbing issue, there may be other problems found once the repair begins. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Independence?

Have you had the same plumbing problem repaired 2 or 3 times in the past year or so? Something like a water line leaking in your yard that is beginning to show its age by needing constant repair? There will come a point in time when it is much more cost-effective to have the whole line replaced, as opposed to having it repaired yet again. So, yes, better plumbing will save you money in the long run. 

Have you ever thought about how much a simple dripping faucet can cost you over the course of a year? Here are some figures posted by the United States Geological Society on that very subject. These figures are from their drip calculator, and they can really get your attention on how a single drip from a faucet can cause problems.

If you have a faucet that drips 10 drips per minute (which according to the USGS is about the average), then that will amount to 3 liters of water per day, 90 liters per month, and 347 gallons over a year. Then, factor in two leaking showerheads. The total water wasted jumps to 10 liters per day or 1,041 gallons per year. If you have a fast drip, those numbers can increase to 21 liters per day or 2,082 gallons per year. That set of leaks is costing you, on average, an extra 240 dollars per year on your water utility bill. Those numbers could possibly double if you factor in a constantly running toilet.

Now consider getting an upgrade. You can upgrade all of your plumbing fixtures in your home: your faucets for bathrooms and kitchens, your toilet, and your showerheads and tub diverters. Upgrade all those fixtures to the newer and more efficient Water Sense fixtures. These fixtures are designed with the latest technology to use 20% less water than your old fixtures. That means that by upgrading those plumbing fixtures you can save up to 20% on your monthly water bill. 

The Water Sense fixtures that are endorsed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) are available at any local home improvement store or plumbing supply house. They are easy to identify as the Water Sense logo will be prominently displayed on the outer packaging of the fixture. So, yes, better fixtures and better plumbing can save you money!

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

Your Independence plumbing repair project is going to be performed by oue professional plumber who will contact the water company on your behalf if the water company is needed. Our plumbers work well with the water authority, and it should appear to be seamless when the two entities are required to be on the same job at the same time.

Our plumber will know well in advance if the water company is needed and to what degree they are needed. Everything that is on the home side of your water meter is your responsibility. You may need to contact the water utility company if your issue is with billing information or to either start or stop your water service. They also handle repairs to leaking water mains and sewer lines on their side of the water meter and service line. Generally speaking, if your neighbor is experiencing the same issue as you, the water utility company is probably your best option.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Independence?

If you are facing a plumbing repair project, and you already know that it will require a permit, you can go ahead and apply for the permit to help speed things along on your project. You can download and print the application and save your professional plumber a couple of steps by doing this. If you are not sure that your repair is going to require a permit, you can always ask us! Within the city, altering or installing new plumbing typically requires a permit, while simpler jobs like clearing clogs or changing out fixtures will not.