AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Fayetteville, NC

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Fayetteville?

There are many reasons to love Fayetteville, North Carolina. Residents can enjoy seeing the beautiful architecture and experience the excitement of city living with an overall quaintness typically reserved for small towns. It is truly the best of all worlds. 

Along with its beauty, it is also a place that has played a massive part in America’s history for at least the last 12,000 years. It is home to Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield. It is where the “Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge” occurred, and the “Liberty Point Resolves” was signed in
June 1775, a year before the Declaration of Independence.

With all the history that this area has amassed, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that time has left its mark in the soil. There is a risk of plumbing issues, which can cause major problems for your home or business in Fayetteville. There is good news, though. The most common plumbing issues you may have to deal with are those that can happen no matter where you call home. These issues include:

Leaking Faucets, Pipes, and Water Heaters

A bathroom’s leaky faucet is not only annoying but also costs you hundreds of dollars a year in terms of water bills? I’m sure you wouldn’t want that. A continuously dripping faucet may be due to a loose thread that requires a simple repair, or it may be a sign of a more severe plumbing issue. Fayetteville is a drought-prone area, so leaks are a major issue that need to be addressed immediately. It is best to call experts like us to assess the situation to give you appropriate advice on how to handle the situation.

Slow or Clogged Drains

A common problem in Fayetteville is a slow draining bathroom or kitchen drain. Unstrained food particles, soap, grease, hair, and scum typically cause it. Never wait for slow and smelly drains, gurgling sounds, and backflow to occur before you call us. Contact us immediately at the onset of the sign to perform a full inspection to discover the problem and offer a solution that works for you and your budget.

Water Pressure Issues

Leaks and plumbing issues can cause your water pressure to plummet quickly. Fayetteville is considered to have soft water. Its soft water will not be a reason for mineral buildup; however, it can cause pinhole leaks. Since Fayetteville is a historic city, most of its pipes are aging, susceptible to pinholes, breaks, collapse, clog, and sewer backup, which often requires replacing an old plumbing system. For a cost-efficient plumbing option, contact us for consultation and inspection.

Frozen Or Busted Pipes

Weather in Fayetteville can go as low as 32°F. The coldest day could reach an average low of 20°F and a high of 35°F. Frozen or burst pipes during winters are quite common. If you notice that you got a loss in water pressure, contact us so we could check the insulation of your pipes. Pipe insulation will help prevent this from happening again.

Septic Issues

Smelly septic and standing water is something you won’t be able to DIY. To unblock the drains and get the water flowing again requires the right equipment and tools, and our expertise. Contact us to fix the blocked drains so you could get back to life quickly and economically.

How Does the Water in Fayetteville Affect Your Plumbing?

Overall, Fayetteville has good water for plumbing. The exception is that hard water and sulfates can happen thanks to certain minerals in the ground. The problems often come up for homeowners who have a private well.

• Hard water means that your water contains calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. You may not know it is there unless it begins to build up in showerheads or sink faucets. Your tub sinks and toilet may also become discolored.
• Hydrogen sulfide can cause your water to have an odor. If you happen to notice an odor from your well water, you should talk to a plumber. Hydrogen sulfide is corrosive to steel, brass, and copper plumbing. Before you call, take note of when you smell it the most. Often, your water heater may need cleaning. If the problem is with hot and cold water, your issue may require more effort to trace and fix.

You can avoid some problems by choosing city water over private wells. The city of Fayetteville has softer water than many other areas of North Carolina at an average of 48 PPM (mg/L) or
3 gpg on the hardness scale. When using your private well, you lose this advantage and may be at the biggest risk for plumbing issues. 

 For instance:

• Fine sand may allow rainwater to get into drinking water, which means it isn’t filtered when you drink it.
• Silty sand soil may mean that sand occasionally gets into your pipes.

Loamy soil is ideal for plumbing because it filters water most effectively. If you have sand or silty sand, you can still have good water if you choose to have a filtration system that removes impurities from it. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Fayetteville?

Repairing your home or office’s plumbing is something most people dread, not just in Fayetteville but everywhere. We expect it to be high-priced, so we put it off. This can make a small problem more expensive to repair. A slightly leaking toilet may seem insignificant, but it can:

• Cause Health Issues: Leaking water, whether from a toilet, sink, or pipe, can lead to mold formation. Your family members could have a range of health issues that stem from that mold. Some of the most common symptoms are allergies, chest tightness, asthma, rashes, compromised immune system, etc.
• Waste Precious Water: Up to 22 gallons of water may be wasted every day that your toilet leaks. In a drought-prone area like Fayetteville, this is not good.
• Damage Your Home: As water leaks around the toilet base, it will seep into your floors. Eventually, floors rot, and structural damages may occur. If your toilet is near a shower or your sink cabinets, it can also cause damage to those areas.

We hope that you choose to avoid the problems before they get worse. Therefore, we are going to break down the price of plumbing to the best of our ability. Keep in mind that the type of job, chosen plumber, and required permits determine the plumbing costs in Fayetteville.

Building Permit Prices

Cumberland County does require you to get permits for some plumbing situations. These situations are often limited to installation, additions, or having a part of your existing system repaired. There are exceptions for one- or two-family dwellings, so do not hesitate to ask questions. 

Beyond that, a new permit fee schedule was released in January 2021 that shows a breakdown of all applicable fees you may face. For remodeling additions, a homeowner typically pays a minimum of $100.00 and goes up to $200.00 plus $10.00 per fixture. New builds may start at $150.00 and increase based on the size of your home. Adding a pool or spa will cost according to their overall price. Commercial buildings will have other minimal price points.

Choosing a Licensed Plumber

When you choose to tackle plumbing in Fayetteville, you need to make sure they are licensed. Licensed plumbers, like us, have been thoroughly trained to handle what you need us to do. The state also approves North Carolina to do it, which will ease the process of attaining permits if needed.

In 2021, the average cost of a licensed plumber’s services is between $92.00 and $670.00, with an average price closer to $381.00. It simply depends on the job. Simple drain cleaning without any complications will cost around $200.00. A busted pipe or other more complex situations can cost approximately $700.00. If you are building a home and need plumbing, your price could be over $1,000.00.

Parts and Labor

This is the biggest questionable part of trying to figure out your cost. The parts and labor pricing for your project will depend on several factors depending on your unique situation. The parts will also have a price depending on the quality you choose to go with.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Fayetteville?

Most people want to know if they spend more now, will they save money later. Our answer to whether better plumbing can save you money or not is “absolutely.” Here are just a few things you may want to consider when upgrading your plumbing in Fayetteville.

Go Tankless

Tankless or “On-Demand” water heaters are a great way to save money in the future. This is because they do not have a water storage tank to keep it heated constantly. This lessens the risk of leaking, lousy heating elements, and other issues that come along with traditional water heaters. The downside is that it can be costly to have a tankless water heater installed. However, it can also save you approximately $100.00 or more each year that you have it. It practically pays for itself in a few years.

Choose Low Flow

There are low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads. Low-flow toilets will use only 1.5 gallons of water per flush. When compared to 3.4-GPF traditional toilets, how much money will that save you on your water bill? A low-flow sink faucet will have a maximum GPM of 1.5, and a showerhead will be slightly higher at 2.5-GPM. It saves you money and conserves water, both of which are important to most Fayetteville residents.

Upgrade the Pipes

Not long ago, all plumbing pipes were PVC. However, some say that a newer, perhaps better option is PEX pipes. These pipes are very flexible. The flexibility can make it easier to lay out the plumbing lines and ensure they do not freeze or burst as easily as copper pipes. It also means there are fewer connection points, which can eliminate some risk for leaks.

Taking these steps will save you money by preventing leaks, clogs, and plumbing emergencies from occurring. It reduces the possibility that you will call us for frequent repairs.

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

We can not handle all issues with your plumbing. Sometimes, you have to go to the source and contact your Fayetteville water utility company. How do you know which one you should contact for your specific problem? We have the answer!

Watch the Meter

If you have water in your driveway or a puddle in your yard, the problem could be something for your plumber or the water company to deal with. You have to first figure out which side of the meter the leak is coming from. Water companies will generally avoid touching a leak that occurs between your home and the meter.

The easiest way to test it is to shut off your water main and then watch the meter to see if it is still turning or not. If it is turning, the problem is going to be something for the plumber to repair. If it stops when you turn off your water lines, then a call to the water company will be your best option. This simple test can help you avoid a service fee from your water company for a false complaint.

Check Your Water Bill

Most people use approximately the same amount of water each month. However, if you look at your bill often, you can spot changes to that magic number. A slow, but steady, increase in the amount of water you use each month could indicate that you have a leak somewhere. Your plumber may need to help because it is likely an issue between the meter and your home.

Take a Shower

Have you noticed a drastic or sudden drop in the water pressure of your shower? Chances are good it isn’t something going on with your plumbing. If it only sometimes happens, you shouldn’t call anyone. It may just be that a lot of people are using the water at that moment, and it will clear up soon. If it happens frequently or constantly, contact FAYPWC or the water company in your area. 

In this case, you should contact your water company and talk to them about potential issues that they may be having. If you want to be sure that it is a problem on their end, you may also be able to ask your neighbor if they have noticed issues and encourage them to contact the utility company as well.

Deciding who to call is complex. Not every situation can be addressed here, but we hope we have provided you with a few possible scenarios that make it less complicated. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Fayetteville?

One benefit of hiring us is that you should not worry about which permits you may need. However, to help you understand what is necessary, we will delve into this confusing topic.

In North Carolina, you will most likely need permits if:

• Relocating Pipes
• Installing, Replacing, or Relocating Heat and Air Units/Materials
• Replacing Drain Lines
• Adding Appliances (Circulating Water Pumps, Pressure Boosting/Reducing Pumps, etc.)
• Sewer Issues or Installations
• Adding Fixtures or Plumbing Equipment
• Commercial Water Heater Replacement

There are many resources available about the rules and regulations for plumbing in Fayetteville, North Carolina. However, visiting sites like Fayettevillenc.gov can often lead to more confusion. We hope to save you from a few headaches by clearing any potential issues up and offering fair, accurate quotes.