AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Raleigh, NC

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Raleigh?

Raleigh is an amazing city that has an equally amazing history, dating back to its founding as the state capital in 1792. While that history is part of what makes Raleigh a special place to call home, it can also have an impact on your home’s plumbing. Houses in some of the older districts of Raleigh, such as the Historic Oakwood neighborhood, can have some very old plumbing working behind the scenes. Eventually, you’ll have to replace old plumbing fixtures and pipes, no matter how well you maintain them. When they reach the end of their useful life, these pipes may be more prone to bursting, leaking, and clogging.

Of course, it’s not just older homes that need to be aware of these issues. All homeowners in Raleigh should watch for common plumbing issues such as: 

• Burst pipes. Raleigh enjoys warm summers, but our winters can get bitterly cold. When the temperatures drop to below zero, exposed plumbing pipes can freeze and burst. This is a major issue for homeowners, and will require the help of our emergency plumbers. You’ll want to contact us right away to mitigate any water damage. Burst pipes can also happen after a freeze, when the temperatures then warm up quickly, not giving the pipes enough time to gradually thaw out. 
• Clogged drains. Clogged drains are an issue year-round for Raleigh residents. They tend to be more common in the winter, though, when everyone is inside and cooking for the holidays. You can prevent clogged drains by making sure you don’t put anything down the drains that shouldn’t be there, for example: leftover food, small bits of plastic, or contact lenses. You’ll also want to clean your drains regularly with a mixture of baking soda and boiling water. Avoid using harsh chemicals, as these can damage your pipes. If you notice your drains slowing down, you should contact our plumbing professionals to clean them out for you. They will make sure there are no other major issues with your plumbing causing the clogged drains. 

If you do run into a problem with your plumbing, make sure you call Mr. Blue Plumbing!

How Does The Water In Raleigh Affect Your Plumbing?

Raleigh residents are lucky enough to enjoy a supply of clean, soft water. Most of the water used in Raleigh comes from Lake Benson and Falls Lake. Because the city sources its water from a lake instead of underground, there is only a very small amount of calcium carbonate and magnesium in it. Both of these minerals are safe to drink, but they can cause issues with your plumbing. High concentrations of these minerals are what make water “hard.”

Areas that have hard water, which is most of the United States, will see the mineral buildup in their plumbing, that’s commonly found around the heads of their taps as well as water lines in their toilets. This mineral build-up is more than just a nuisance. It can cause your plumbing fixtures to break down and become clogged more often.

That’s good news for Raleigh residents then. The soft water here shouldn’t have a negative impact on your plumbing. You are more likely to run into issues with cold weather and the age of your pipes.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Raleigh?

Raleigh residents will pay very reasonable rates for our plumbers. Most of our experts will either charge an hourly rate of around $65 or they will charge a flat fee based on the type of work you need. Your costs will vary based on a few different factors: 

What Plumbing Work is Required

The more complicated your plumbing job is, the more you should expect to pay. A simple job like a leaky tap could run you around $85, while a more complicated job like replacing a tank water heater will cost you around $400 in labor. You can ask us for a free estimate before we start the work.

When You Need the Work Done

If you need our plumbers after hours or on the weekend, they will be available, but you’ll pay a premium for their service. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call, though. Most plumbing issues are less expensive to repair when immediately addressed. The longer you let them go on, the more damage they can do to your property. This is especially important in older historic Raleigh homes, where water damage can create very costly restoration work for homeowners.

What Parts and Equipment Are Needed 

Some plumbing work just needs a wrench and some know-how. Other jobs can require heavy equipment, like a backhoe. If your plumbing work requires a lot of parts, manpower, or special equipment, then you’ll end up paying more. Our plumber will need to charge you for the time and expense of getting specialized equipment for the job. It’s likely you’ll need to pay for permits, too. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Raleigh?

Investing in good plumbing will pay for itself over time. Whether you are replacing a toilet in your North Hills apartment or completely upgrading the plumbing in your University Park bungalow, it’s important that you think about the long-term value of good plumbing. Here’s how better plumbing will help you save money over the years: 

• You’ll pay less for repairs and replacements. Investing in quality fixtures and plumbing for your home means you’ll end up paying less for repairs and replacements during your lifetime. That can add up to big savings, even if your initial cost is slightly higher. 
• You won’t pay too much for water. Cheap plumbing can cause you to waste a lot of water. Maybe it’s a toilet that’s always running or a pipe that keeps leaking. That’s bad news for your monthly water bill. It’s also bad for the environment. 
• You’ll create a healthier environment in your home. Your plumbing plays an important role in the health of your household. Quality plumbing will help keep the water clean and safe while preventing the buildup of molds and mildew in your home. You’ll experience fewer issues with allergies and asthma, too. 

Better plumbing doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Buy your fixtures from trusted brand names that offer a warranty on the parts and materials. Then make sure you use an insured, reviewed, experienced, and qualified Raleigh plumber. Using a great plumber like Mr. Blue Plumbing will help you ensure that the plumbing work on your Raleigh home is safe, up-to-code, and ready to last for years to come. If you don’t, you may end up paying to have the same job done again and again. 

When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Raleigh Vs Hire a Plumber?

If you experience an issue with your plumbing, your first instinct is to call a plumber like Mr. Blue Plumbing. But what if your plumbing issue originates with city water or sewer mains? 

In most cases, you’ll still want to contact us first. The water utility service in Raleigh cannot help you with any plumbing issues you are experiencing on your property. This includes issues with hot water, sewer backup in your yard, or groundwater seeping into your basement. You should only contact the City regarding plumbing issues if: 

• A fire hydrant is leaking or spraying water 
• You see water coming up into a street from a drain or manhole cover
• You see sewage coming out into the streets
• There is a water leak on city-owned property

If you do need to report a problem with city water mains, you can contact them 24 hours a day at 919-996-3245. 

If you suspect faulty city-owned pipes are causing your plumbing issues, you’ll still want to start with a call to our plumbers. They’ll be able to inspect your plumbing system and identify the root of the problem. If that issue requires the City’s involvement, we can contact them for you or give you the information about who to contact and what they’ll need to know. 

When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Raleigh?

It may surprise some homeowners that for many home improvement projects, they’ll need to first get a building permit from the City of Raleigh’s permits department. When it comes to a plumbing-related project, our plumbers can help you obtain these permits. They can also provide you with the relevant documents you’ll need to submit to a city engineer for approval.

You won’t need a permit for projects such as: 

• Repairing existing plumbing fixtures such as a running toilet or a leaking tap. 
• Replacing existing plumbing fixtures, as long as it doesn’t change the size or capacity of the equipment.
• Replacing a water heater, as long as a licensed contractor does the work and inspects it for leaks afterward.

For any other plumbing work, you’ll need to get a permit. Some work will also require you to submit building plans, which our plumbers can provide. Most permit reviews take one to three weeks, depending on how complicated the work might be.

This is also where working with an experienced Raleigh plumber can help with your home improvement project. They’ll know what the city engineers need to see to approve your project, and that can move the process along a lot faster.