AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN North Las Vegas, NV

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in North Las Vegas?

Just north of the bright lights of Las Vegas, you will find a more residential area known as North Las Vegas. The great thing is it is the city within a city. It has a population of more than 250,000 residents.

In this area of Nevada, you will find recreational areas where nature meets city living. It is where you will find the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, outstanding dining experiences, and so much more.

It is an area that was founded in 1917, though its history reaches back thousands of years when Native Americans called it home. The closest estimates are that around the year 700 AD that the Paiutes settled here. In 1829, it was named by Rafael Rivera. Las Vegas translates to “The Meadows.”

North Las Vegas played an important role during WWII when the Aerial Gunnery School opened. It later became “Home of the Fighter Pilot”, Nellis Air Force Base. With all this history, all the footprints that are in the sand, how much of a toll has it taken on the land? More importantly, how is the water supply, and are there major concerns for homeowners who live there?

The most common plumbing issue that homeowners in North Las Vegas face is clogged drains. Clog problems can be serious and require professional help. In most cases, homeowners tend to remove these clogs with something they can buy from the store, like a liquid remover. However, these products can cause more problems. Calling professionals, like us, can prevent it from happening in the first place and will save you a lot of money.

Regarding plumbing and water supply, some of the biggest repairs needed include:

• Pipe leaks
• Faucet leaks
• Faulty water heaters
• Corrosion
• Toilet running more than normal
• And other routine plumbing issues

How Does the Water in North Las Vegas Affect Your Plumbing?

Water in Las Vegas comes from Lake Mead. Lake Mead gets water from a variety of sources, most of it naturally occurring rainfall, snowmelt, and the Colorado River. Only 10% comes from a groundwater aquifer. Since there are a lot of “natural” elements and runoff in the water, there is a risk for certain contaminants to be in the water.

The City of North Las Vegas acknowledges that there is a risk of volatile organic (VOC), inorganic (IOC), and synthetic organic (SOC) contaminants. Measures are taken to remove all the contaminants. According to the Las Vegas Valley Water District, your water in North Las Vegas is very good.

This can lead to some issues. There are times when you may notice a chlorine odor, which ensures that your water is safe. You will also find that there is a lot of hard water in Las Vegas. There are approximately 290 parts per million of magnesium and calcium. Anything beyond 100 is considered hard.

Chlorine and hardness can both negatively affect your home’s plumbing. Over time, chlorine can corrode the pipes and create pinhole leaks, both of which may end up leaking into the foundation of your home causing extensive rot.

Hard water is also unkind to plumbing. It means that likely chunks are floating in your water supply. Over time, the chunks of calcium and magnesium may build up in your pipes, your water heater, etc. It can also:

• Stain faucets
• Discolor sinks and tubs
• Decrease water pressure
• Cause clogs
• Weaken pipes/connections

All of which can pose extreme trouble for your home’s plumbing system. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in North Las Vegas?

When you ask how much your plumbing job will cost in North Las Vegas, you are asking a loaded question. There are so many variables that may come into play with plumbing that there isn’t an uncomplicated answer unless the job can be seen first. 

On average, you should expect to spend between $100.00 and $800.00 on a plumbing repair for your home. Most homeowners in North Las Vegas end up spending around $430.00. However, this is not an estimate of what you may spend. Several factors may increase or decrease the cost of your plumbing job.

Emergency Plumbing Repairs

Your issue will be much more affordable if you can call for a plumbing inspection or repair before it becomes an emergency that has to be dealt with. When you hire a professional plumber like us, Monday to Friday and during business hours, you spend less on our services. However, a sad truth is that most plumbing issues come unexpectedly. Weekends, holidays, and during the nighttime hours. This can increase your cost out of pocket before we even show up unless you can turn off your water and wait until morning. 

Size of the Plumbing Repair or Job

New installations will cost more than a plumbing repair. This is also subjective. If the repair requires new pipes and a lot of digging, your cost will also increase well above what it would be for a simple clog. The same is true for septic issues compared to indoor plumbing issues and small leaks. The size of your job will define how much you can expect to spend. 

Required Parts

Parts also need to be considered before any plumbing job quote. If you need a new water heater installed, your total will include removal of the old unit and installation of the new one. If you need a new faucet, you will spend less than if you upgrade to a water softening system. This is completely something that we won’t know without help from you and/or seeing the job that you want to be done.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in North Las Vegas?

If you have a newer home in North Las Vegas, chances are good you do not need new plumbing. This is a better question for homeowners that have a home older than 8 to 10 years. By this time, appliances that were brand new and top-of-the-line for efficiency may not be as cost-saving as they once were. Why?

For instance, your hot water tank may have been great when you got it. However, hard water and sediment may now cover the bottom half of it. Not only does this provide a place for anaerobic bacteria which can cause your water to smell rotten. Some homeowners say it smells like rotten eggs. It also becomes less efficient. Your water heater is designed to fill up with water, heat it, and then hold it. If there is less water in the tank because of sediment, then it will cool faster than it should.

Though perhaps not as significant, new, low-flow water faucets are also a good choice if you are hoping to save money on plumbing costs and your water bill over time. You can also add a water softener. This may prevent some of the most common clogs from having water with as much sediment in it as North Las Vegas. 

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in North Las Vegas Vs Hire a Plumber?

When dealing with your plumbing, it isn’t always easy to know what to do. When your toilet overflows in the middle of the night, you may be tempted to call the water company requesting they turn it off, but this isn’t the best option in most cases. Your toilet should have a shutoff valve and that should be enough until you can get us to your home.

The water company or the City of North Las Vegas Utilities Department should be called if there is an emergency. There are numbers available for business hours and emergencies. What constitutes an emergency if not an overflowing toilet?

In most situations, anything that is happening to your home, or your property is going to be on you to repair. The emergency services will generally cover whatever is happening outside your “property.” For instance, you notice that the vacant lot next door has water gushing up out of the ground. This would be an emergency that would require you to call the water department.

Another less straightforward situation is your water bill. If you have noticed that each month it climbs a little, the problem could be diagnosed with our help. Not sure if you want to raise red flags over it? You can easily test whether you should or not.

To do this, turn off your main water supply. If you turn it off and the water meter still goes up, but you know there is no water flowing to your home, call the water company. If you turn off the main valve and the water meter stops increasing, you know that you should look for a leak on your property and around your home.

If your home loses water pressure, your first thought can often be the water company. If it happens repeatedly, this could be a good option, but most of the time it will be recommended that you call us. We can check over the system to see what may be going on. The exception comes if you lose all water pressure in your home. For this, you will definitely want to contact the utility department for help. 

In short, when in doubt, you should call us for advice when the water stops working the way you want it to on your property and in your home. If it happens on the street or anywhere beyond your water meter, you should call the water provider. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in North Las Vegas?

In North Las Vegas, you are required to have a permit before all building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work is done. Then, it should be done by a licensed contractor according to section 15.64.330-Permits and Licenses. There is a permit application form that you can fill out listing practically every aspect of a plumbing job from installing bathtubs to hooking up an ice maker.

You are not exempt from a permit if you are repairing your bathroom fixtures. The permitting fees are relatively affordable. However, the price of an inspection or reinspection can add up quickly.

Building codes and permit requirements are tough in North Las Vegas. You need to know that the job is done right if you want to save money and keep yourself from further issues. Before you dive into any project, you will need to make sure you know what you are getting into. Ask for advice from a professional plumber, like us. We can tell you whether you need permits and inspections, and how to get through it with as little cost as possible.