AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Nashua, NH

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Nashua?

If you have indoor plumbing, eventually, you’ll experience common plumbing issues like a leaking faucet or a clogged drain. That’s because no matter how well you care for your plumbing system, factors such as age and environment can lead to issues. These are the three most common plumbing issues we see in Nashua homes:

• Leaking pipes. There are some very old homes in Nashua. The Killicut-Way House was built in 1740. One Abbot Square was built just 22 years later, in 1802. Fortunately, the plumbing serving these homes isn’t quite as old, but it’s old enough. Many plumbing infrastructures in the City went in during the 1970s when Nashua experienced a population boom. Some of those 1970s pipes are still in place, and they are starting to cause problems. It was common to use galvanized steel pipes back then, which were great for about 30 years. After that, the zinc coating on the inside wears off, and the pipes start to rust and corrode. That can lead to discolored water and leaking pipes. These leaks are bad for the environment due to the water that they waste. They are also bad for your bank account, as you’ll end up paying for water that you aren’t using. Some leaks can be destructive, too, causing property damage that will need the help of a professional to repair. The best way to handle a leaking pipe is to replace it entirely, usually with something made from a more modern material like PVC. 
• Frozen pipes. The lowest ever recorded temperature in Nashua was -29°F. That happened back in 1957. While those kinds of temperatures are rare, they aren’t unheard of in Nashua, where we get around 50 inches of snow every year. When the temperature drops, plumbers in Nashua know they are about to get many frantic calls about frozen pipes. When pipes freeze, the water inside them freezes, too. When water freezes, it expands. That can place pressure on the pipes, cracking or bursting them open. Damaged pipes might lead to an immediate issue, or you might not notice the leaking until the weather starts to warm up and the pipe thaws. Either way, it can cause a lot of damage. A plumber can help you turn off your water and repair the broken pipe. They can also help insulate any exposed pipework to help prevent the issue from happening again in the future. 
• Clogged toilets. You can get a clog in your toilet due to a variety of reasons. Maybe you or a family member flushed something you shouldn’t have, such as paper towels, packaging, or a small toy ー we’ve seen it all. But sometimes, toilets clog for reasons that are beyond your control. Very often in Nashua, it’s due to invasive tree roots growing into the pipes. Like old pipes cause many leaks in Nashua homes, though, old sewer pipes have the same issue. Old sewer lines can rust and break, and early signs that this is an issue are slow flushing toilets and clogs. Major clogs are unpleasant, too, because they can cause sewage to back up into your home. Sewage in your home is an emergency, not only because it’s gross, but it could create a health hazard for your family. If you notice your toilet becoming clogged more often, you should call in a Nashua plumber for an inspection. They can verify what’s causing the clog and repair the issue, so you are flushing freely once again. 

How Does the Water in Nashua Affect Your Plumbing?

Good news for Nashua residents: the water here is very gentle on your plumbing. Nashua enjoys “soft” water, meaning there are a low amount of naturally occurring minerals in our water supply. On average, you’ll find minerals at about 22 parts per million in the water supply, which according to the USGS water hardness scale, is quite soft. 

When water is “hard,” it has a higher amount of minerals like calcium carbonate and magnesium. These minerals, while safe to drink, can be hard on your plumbing system. Hard water can leave behind mineral deposits that build up over time, creating limescale in toilet bowls, shower doors, and water heaters. In severe cases, this can lead to total failure of the plumbing system. 

Thankfully, though, hard water isn’t an issue for most Nashua residents. If you get your water from a well, though, it might be. Well water has higher mineral content. You may want to speak to your Nashua plumber about installing a water softener on your well pump. A water softener can help mitigate hard water damage to your plumbing system. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Nashua?

Plumbers can handle a lot of different projects. They can repair your leaking pipes, replace your old kitchen sink, or fit a new bathroom in your home. Because of their diversity, what you’ll pay for a plumber in Nashua will depend on these three factors: 

The Time

Most plumbers have an hourly rate they charge for their services, which may change depending on the work. For example, a Nashua plumber might charge $60 an hour for leak repair or $90 an hour for pipe replacement. Most plumbers are happy to offer you an estimate on your plumbing needs before they start the work. They’ll have a good idea of how long your plumbing project will take and provide you with an estimate of the final cost. 

The Materials

Almost all plumbing projects will require some materials. You’ll pay for the cost of the materials, but your plumber will probably roll those costs into your final bill. Like fixing a running toilet, some projects might require only a few dollars worth of materials to complete. Like repiping a home in the historic French Hill neighborhood, some projects might take thousands of dollars worth of materials. You can talk to your plumber about your budget before they get started. 

If It’s an Emergency

A burst pipe or a backed-up sewer line are examples of plumbing emergencies. Unfortunately, these issues don’t often wait for regular business hours. They are more likely to occur in the evenings or on the weekends when your whole family is home and placing additional strain on your plumbing system. That means you may end up paying for an emergency plumber, which will be more expensive. It’s still worth it, though, because allowing these issues to continue could result in damage that’s much more expensive to repair. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Nashua?

Absolutely! Improving the plumbing in your home could help you save money in several ways. 

• Fewer repairs. Upgraded plumbing fixtures are less likely to need repairs, so you’ll save on the cost of hiring a plumber to fix them in the future. 
• Fewer replacements. When you replace your plumbing fixtures with high-quality brands, it’s likely the last time you’ll have to replace those fixtures while living in your home. Quality fixtures will last for decades, depending on use, so you’ll end up paying less for your plumbing over your time in your home. 

You’ll also end up saving on your monthly water bill. Better plumbing fixtures and service will result in fewer leaks in your plumbing system. That means you won’t pay for the water you aren’t using. That’s good news for the environment, too. Water is an essential natural resource, so the less we waste, the better. Pennichuck has more tips on how to conserve water usage around the house. 

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

Pennichuck is responsible for: 

• Water pipelines from the street to the curb
• Water meters

If you have issues with your meter or a pipe in the street, you can contact Pennichuck to report the problem. 

You should contact the City of Nashua if: 

• You are experiencing sewer back-up in the street
• There is a missing maintenance hole cover

You can contact the City’s wastewater department to report the issue. 

You’ll need to hire a plumber to fix any plumbing issues on your property in all other cases.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Nashua?

If you are altering, adding, or removing plumbing from your home, you’ll need a plumbing permit in Nashua. A plumbing permit is also required with plumbing projects such as: 

• Installing electric water heaters
• Adding water pipes
• Installing new fixtures such as sinks, toilets, drains, and garbage disposals
• Adding new pumps or ejectors

The only exceptions for permitting are if you are: 

• Fixing an existing plumbing fixture, such as unclogging a toilet or repairing a sink
• Replacing an existing fixture with a like-kind item, such as replacing your kitchen sink for aesthetic reasons

For all other projects, you’ll need a permit. The minimum application fee for a residential plumbing permit in Nashua is $50. The permits are available online.

If you have questions about the permitting process, you can contact the City of Nashua Permit Office online.