AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Durham, NC

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Durham?

Plumbing issues are a universal problem, but Durham sometimes has unique plumbing problems differing from other states. The main issues, though, are fairly uniform with every resident.

One particular thing often standing out in Durham is low water pressure issues. This happens because some Durham residents get their water from a well pump. These can sometimes leak and cause lower water pressure in your home. Fixing this is potentially complex, usually requiring sending a sewer camera down to inspect any damage.

Other plumbing issues are seen in every household, no matter where one lives or how small or big the house is. These are:

Clogged Drains

A clogged drain is one of the most typical plumbing problems on earth. Causes of these are numerous and range from hair clogs to just faulty plumbing pipes. Whatever your problem might be, you need our professional plumbers to send a digital camera down into the pipe to assess what’s going on.

Inexperienced plumbers sometimes fix your clogged drain, but only temporarily. You need a plumbing service with the ability to get your pipe unclogged permanently rather than only a few weeks – that’s where Mr. Blue Plumbing comes in!

Clogged Toilets

No doubt you’ve experienced a clogged toilet now and again in your Durham home. Merely using a plunger or store-bought snake doesn’t always work since it could mean severe issues developing with your drain pipes.

Again, a thorough inspection with cameras is the new hi-tech way to address a clogged toilet. Never try to fix the problem on your own using makeshift objects you stick down the pipe.

Clogs in the Main Sewer Line

One sign of a clogged sewer line is when all of your plumbing starts acting up simultaneously. For instance, you might notice your toilet making funny noises whenever you turn on your bathroom sink.

These incidents sometimes point to a main sewer line clog only a professional plumber can fix. These scenarios take more time to repair but are sometimes a seasonal problem when fallen leaves clog up the main lines.

A Water Leak

Leaks are as common as clogs. When you start getting a leak from a water pipe, things can turn dangerous. It may start really slow without you initially noticing any moisture under your kitchen or bathroom sink.

Water leaks like this can start to create mildew and mold. And, of course, if a major leak occurs, flooding is always a possibility. Any sign of a leak needs serious attention by our plumbers immediately.

As a reminder to get your leaks fixed: A faucet drip can waste up to 30 gallons of water per day.

Deteriorating Water Pipes

Living in an older Durham home can mean aged pipes, hence turning your water red or brown. Rust in your pipes does this, something you don’t want if your tap water doesn’t look clear.

Replacing aging pipes is common in Durham, especially with so many older homes existing there.

How Does the Water In Durham Affect Your Plumbing?

All water in Durham is safe to drink thanks to recurring water reclamation there. Regardless, water can still directly cause plumbing issues, usually through something called hard water.

To prevent water from affecting your plumbing, that water always needs to be soft. Hard water is when water accumulates too many minerals, like calcium or magnesium. Once this type of water gets into your pipes, it starts to create clogs. It does this because hard water frequently turns into soap scum when reacting with soap.

The buildup of mineral scale in your water pipes from hard water is a big problem many of our plumbers see in the Durham area. To prevent this, it usually requires a water softener, even if not everyone initially knows mineral deposits are building up in their water pipes.

Despite this being one of the leading plumbing issues related to water, general flooding can also cause plumbing problems virtually overnight. Flooding does happen in Durham during the rainy seasons. If your drainage systems aren’t properly working, water becomes a true enemy of your plumbing.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Durham?

What you pay in the way of plumbing all depends on the severity of the issue. Plumbing repair is never cheap. Much of this varies based on what our experts discover in your home or business.

The average cost for plumbing repair is around $375 with the cheapest being $91. The most expensive can run as much as $660.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest cost factors and what they might mean for you.

Cost Factor: Pipe Replacement

Some plumbing jobs are more than just fixing a basic leak or clog. Your pipes may be so old and rusted, they need replacing. This could exceed the maximum amount for plumbing listed above, depending on how many new pipes you need.

Keep in mind this doesn’t include the cost of a permit, inspection fees, plus the cost of buying materials.

Cost Factor: Labor Time

During a flood, a plumbing job could take us a lot longer to complete. Fixing clogged drains in floods is sometimes a complicated and messy job. It might take more than one day to completely fix everything based on the severity.

Most plumbing jobs can get fixed in one day. Still, labor time is a major cost factor that goes beyond any new plumbing materials required.

Cost Factor: The Rate of the Plumber

All plumbers have varying rates, with some even giving affordable pricing to certain communities. Expect most plumbers to charge typical industry rates, though. Some may charge a little more based on their experience level and longevity in the industry.

Remember that paying more for quality is usually a good thing. The more experience the plumber has, the faster they can diagnose your problem and get everything fixed even faster. That’s why hiring our master plumbers is often the best option in Durham.

Cost Factor: Additional Plumbing Materials

Perhaps you need more than just new pipes. Those can sometimes cost more, albeit other materials costing just as much. A water heater replacement is going to add more to the cost, not including possible septic system repair or replacement.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Durham?

Any kind of plumbing upgrade saves you money over time since it prevents any future issues in the months or years to come. Investing in a good plumbing service is well worth the money considering more severe repairs going forward can potentially cost double or more.

If you catch most plumbing issues early, you won’t have to worry about replacing your pipes or other equipment. Most plumbing issues can get fixed affordably if you pay attention to what’s happening and take action now.

For real expert plumbing, it’s a good idea to hire a Mr. Blue Plumbing master plumber who has more specialized skills. Our plumbers have ten or more years of experience, proper certification, and knowledge of the systems common in and around Durham.

Hiring an apprentice plumber means they’ll only be able to fix basic plumbing issues while under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber. This may end up costing you more in the long run.

Another thing to consider is the age of your home in bringing better or upgraded plumbing. Homes built before 1930 in Durham might still be using copper piping, something you need to replace for your own safety. The same goes with lead piping that was eventually outlawed by 1985.

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

Plumbing problems can sometimes stem from nearby water pipes belonging to your utility company. Should you call them first if you discover a likely leak somewhere in the pipeline?

It all depends on where the leak is occurring. Should you call your water utility company first, they’ll only repair any leak they discover on their side of your water meter. Any leak within your property line is going to be your responsibility.

One way to tell for sure is to turn off your water and check your water meter. Is the meter still working? If so, then you have a leak somewhere on your property. Doing this test yourself saves you money because your Durham utility company is going to charge you for checking where the leak is.

Only then should you call our professional plumbers since your water utility company won’t repair leaks on your side.

After you get your plumbing bill, present it to your utility company. They may give you a credit on your bill for the leakage you discovered. Considering you reported it early to them, they might even pay you back for getting it repaired so quickly.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Durham?

Obtaining a permit to do plumbing work can be a complicated decision. It may have to happen if our plumber has to do repair work in your home or in your commercial business.

Based on North Carolina statutes, our plumbers have to get a permit in place if doing any plumbing work other than replacing a hot water heater in a one or two-family dwelling.

In the case of the hot water heater exception, it only applies if you have a fully licensed plumber doing the work. We have to perform a leak test and make sure the energy use rate or thermal input is not greater than that of the water heater. Plus, we have to install it based on your particular building codes.

All other plumbing work, including in your commercial business, requires a permit if it involves installation, extensions, or alterations of any kind.

To obtain those permits, you need to fill out the County Inspections Department form. It’s relatively easy to fill out, if requiring you indicate the work as an “addition” when installing any kind of new plumbing equipment into your dwelling.