Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Missoula?
- 2 How Does the Water in Missoula Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Missoula?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Missoula?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Missoula vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Missoula?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Missoula?
The plumbing issue that has the most significant impact on our area is an aging infrastructure of plumbing pipes and fixtures. Leaks are the most common complaint, and rightly so as the average Missoula home is fast approaching 80 years old. That is not to say that newer plumbing in newer homes haven’t had issues as well because they have. However, it would seem that improperly compacted soils in and around new construction can cause plumbing lines to bend and flex beyond the tolerable point resulting in leaks.
Clogged or slow drains are also a common issue in Missoula. This can be brought about by several things, but in Missoula, one of the main causes is the water itself. Missoula is known to have moderately hard water, so this means you may have accumulated mineral buildup or scale deposits throughout your system, causing clogs in your plumbing.
Another common plumbing issue in Missoula is leaking pipes. This is in connection with the clogging problem. Water pressure can build up behind blockages and cause leaks in the affected areas of your plumbing system.
Decreased water pressure is also a fairly common plumbing issue in Missoula. Because of the buildup formed in your plumbing, water supply flow becomes restricted, resulting in decreased water pressure in some parts or all around your home.
Lastly, you may experience issues with your water heater. Again, due to the moderately hard water in Missoula, scale deposits can form in the bottom of your tank and around your burners, creating a barrier or layer between them and the water, resulting in less efficiency.
As you can see, here in our fair City of Missoula, waterhas been and still is the number one problem facing our plumbing systems today.
How Does the Water in Missoula Affect Your Plumbing?
Are you concerned about the quality of the water here in Missoula? Most of the homes here in Missoula are connected to Missoula City Water and go through a rather rigorous testing procedure daily. The reports from the past three years indicate that Missoula City Water is among the finest in the nation regarding the heavy metals and contaminants that cause concern among our citizens.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that our water is lead and copper-free since those two heavy metals can be found in any water, in any town. However, suppose you are concerned enough to sit down and read this thorough analysis of our water quality. In that case, these web pages will take you to those reports for the last three years where you can see that there are things present in the Missoula water supply that can cause corrosion in plumbing lines.
But what if you have a well, and you are concerned enough about the quality of the water coming from that well that you want to have it tested. There are some valuable links here to get you started with your very own water quality report from the water in your well.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Missoula?
The following figures represent the average cost of a Missoula plumbing repair concerning low, high, and price paid per repair in the greater Missoula area. After we list those averages, we will detail for you the things that are and are not included in the final cost. Then we will take a look at a Missoula plumbing repair by showing you certain things that can cause your plumbing repair to be quite a bit more. Here are the averages first:
- The low average cost for plumbing repair in Missoula – $98
- The high average cost for plumbing repair in Missoula – $708
- The average price paid for plumbing repair in Missoula – $403
Those above averages are a good starting point for costs of your plumbing repair in Missoula. Now, let’s look at a few things those averages do include:
- Average labor cost for a plumbing repair in Missoula
- Materials and supplies for the plumbing repair
- Plumbing repair project fees for site prep and clean-up
Now let’s take a look at some things that are not included with the above averages for plumbing repair here in Missoula:
- Fees for permits and inspections if needed
- Materials and supplies Montana state sales taxes
- Materials and supplies Missoula local sales taxes
- Fees for hiring a general contractor if needed
Some things are included, and some things are not because no two plumbing repairs are alike; therefore, no two plumbing repair costs will be the same.
Here are some scenarios where the actual costs may increase or possibly, in some cases, decrease depending on just how involved your Missoula plumbing repair project is going to be.
Size and Scope of Your Missoula Plumbing Repair Project
The bigger your plumbing repair project is doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive. It all depends on just how complex your plumbing repair is going to be. Out professional plumber will review the overall size and scope of your plumbing repair project. However, you shouldn’t allow them to begin the repair until you fully understand the scope of your Missoula plumbing repair.
Will Your Plumbing Repair Project Require More Than One Day to Complete?
The above figures were based on a two-hour minimum charge for a 45-minute repair. This rate would cover simple repairs like a leaking toilet or faucet. If your plumbing repair project takes longer than the two-hour minimum, there will be a significantly higher final cost for your plumbing repair.
Tear It Out so You Can Build It Back
If your plumbing repair is a broken water pipe inside a sheetrock wall, be prepared for the subsequent charges for demolition and reconstruction. There may also be more than one permit required for this type of plumbing repair in Missoula.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Missoula?
Yes. Better plumbing will always come out a winner when you compare the costs of new plumbing versus the cost of all the plumbing repair service calls for fixing the same thing over and over. There will come a point when it is more feasible to go ahead with total replacement over repairing it one more time.
Then you can always give your plumbing fixtures an upgrade. Your plumbing fixture can begin to show its age and cause problems, just like water and sewer lines. If you would like to save at least 20% on your monthly water utility bill, consider upgrading to WaterSense fixtures. These faucets, toilets, and showerheads are designed using the latest cutting-edge technology and do essentially the same job using 20% less water. Your local home improvement center or your local plumbing supply house should stock these products. WaterSense fixtures are easy to identify by the WaterSense logo prominently displayed on the packaging. Better plumbing and better fixtures will save you money in Missoula.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Missoula vs Hire a Plumber?
Our professional plumbers in Missoula are aware of the need for the water company’s involvement and work seamlessly with them when the need arises. There may be times during your plumbing repair that the City of Missoula needs to be involved, and our professional plumber knows in advance the right people to contact if needed. The city will also take care of problems on their side of the system, before the water meter. In most cases, if the issue is past that and between the meter and your home plumbing system, you will need to get in touch with us to sort that out. If you want to know in advance whether your plumbing repair will require permitting or inspections, feel free to do so by following the links to that information here.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Missoula?
The above links should answer that question. However, if you already know that your plumbing repair project will require a permit, you can get the process started by applying for the permit. This printable document serves as your application for a plumbing permit. Certain sections need to be completed by you, and some by our plumber in Missoula.