AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Bronx, NY

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Bronx?

Plumbing issues are common in Bronx due to its climate and location. The most common problems property owners face include:

Low Water Pressure

Reasons for low water pressure in Bronx homes can vary. Since not all water pressure problems are created equal, the severity of the issue depends on its symptoms.

• Is the pressure low in one part of the house (e.g. shower or kitchen sink)?
• Is it happening throughout your property?
• Is the water pressure low in the entire neighborhood?

The reasons can vary from a clogged showerhead to a major water main break. One of the most dangerous causes could be a damaged pipe in a wall. While you may not see a leak for a while, the constantly dripping water can cause severe damage to your property’s structure, cause dangerous mold formation, and turn into a huge water bill.

Whatever causes the issue, it needs to be addressed immediately. Our team knows all the ins and outs of low water pressure problems in Bronx. In some cases, a short phone consultation can help you fix the issue.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are the most common plumbing problem in all parts of New York, Bronx included. No matter how hard people try to keep drains clean, hair, grease, fats, dirt, and debris still get into their drains, creating an unpleasant blockage.

Clogged drains aren’t just a nuisance. They can:

• Cause diseases and allergies due to harmful bacteria building up in the pipes.
• Be the source of an extremely unpleasant smell, thus decreasing your quality of life.
• Cause structural damage to your property as the backflow of water leaks into the foundation.
• Create standing water where mosquitoes and other pests thrive.

When faced with a clogged drain, some property owners make the mistake of trying to unclog it on their own. While baking soda and vinegar may work for some blockages, others become worse.

By calling our plumbing team as soon as you face a serious drain, you can save yourself time, money, and effort while keeping your home and family safe.

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are an issue in both new and old Bronx neighborhoods. Over the past several years, the city of New York has been spending over $400 million annually on replacing water mains. Sometimes, even highly effective and expensive preventive maintenance doesn’t help to keep old pipelines in top shape.

While old pipes can leak due to age-related damage, new pipes can drip water due to poor installation.

Any leak needs to be addressed immediately. While some of them can be eliminated by changing a seal, others need pipe replacement. The faster you contact us about the problem, the easier it is to prevent serious consequences for your property and your wallet. 

Remember, some leaks aren’t visible immediately. Look for secondary signs like:

• Low water pressure
• Higher water bills
• Visible mold or mildew
• Unexplained musty odor
• Cracking and peeling paint on walls or ceiling

By ignoring these signs, you risk facing significant property damage.

Tree Roots

Tree roots are a major problem for Bronx homeowners who have old clay pipes (in homes built in the 1970s and earlier). In their search for water, tree roots enter pipes through small cracks or loose fittings and start damaging them from inside. The main signs of tree root issues include:

• Slow drains
• Foul odors
• Sinkholes in your yard

The faster you do something about the tree problem, the more likely you are to avoid full pipe replacement. However, if your pipes are more than 50 years old, you may want to consider replacing the line anyway.

Newer pipes can suffer from a tree root issue as well. The main reasons are improper installation and low-quality materials.

How Does the Water in Bronx Affect Your Plumbing?

The most common issue American homeowners have with tap water is its hardness. According to the U.S. geological survey, the water hardness in Bronx is 65 PPM (Parts Per Million). This is considered to be moderately hard.

Moderately hard water shouldn’t affect your plumbing. However, homeowners should still look for signs of hard water damage, such as:

• Funny taste of water
• Brown stains on porcelain
• Soap scum
• Constantly clogged pipes
• Skin irritation problems

Any of the above issues can also occur due to other plumbing problems. In any case, they warrant a specialist’s attention.

New York Department of Health – Bureau of Public Water Supply Protection regularly tests water in Bronx for contaminants. Some of the contaminants they have found in recent years exceed safety levels. They are:

• Bromodichloromethane
• Bromoform
• Chloroform
• Chromium
• Dibromochloromethane
• Dichloroacetic acid
• Haloacetic acid
• Total trihalomethanes
• Trichloroacetic acid

While these contaminants can’t have a serious effect on your plumbing, they could lead to health issues. To prevent some of them from entering your tap water, it’s imperative to check the quality of your pipes. More often than not, it’s not the water that damages your pipes, it’s vice versa.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Bronx?

In Bronx, the average cost of plumbing is about $350. Many of us charge by the hour while some have a flat service fee. The average cost per hour is between $100 and $150. Meanwhile, a flat service fee starts at about $150.

The cost of plumbing services can depend on a variety of factors, including:

Emergency Services

If you have a routine plumbing need like toilet replacement or pipe maintenance, it can usually be done during business hours. However, plumbing emergencies can’t wait. Pipes can burst and faucets can start leaking anytime, including in the middle of the night or on holidays.

To get our assistance during the off hours, you have to be ready to pay extra. The emergency call-out fee can add around $100 to your bill.

If you have a plumbing emergency, don’t wait. The extra fee you have to pay for the off-hour assistance is much smaller than the damage an unattended emergency can cause.

Spare Parts

While labor prices can vary slightly from plumber to plumber, spare parts can cause the final plumbing bills to differ tremendously. Depending on what needs to be replaced, your plumbing bill can vary from $200 to $1,000 and beyond.

For example, a seal replacement can add $10 to your bill while a new fixture could cost several thousands of dollars.

To minimize your plumbing expenses, we work with spare part supplies that give us wholesale prices.

Complexity

Complex plumbing problems require more time to fix. Since we charge hourly rates for the majority of our work, the longer it takes, the higher the bill will be.

Since all our team members have extensive experience in a variety of plumbing tasks from leak elimination to septic tank replacement, the time it takes to finish the job is minimized. It’s always possible to negotiate a flat rate for sizable installation and replacement work.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Bronx?

Better plumbing is the key to saving money and gaining peace of mind about your property. Many Bronx homeowners have to deal with high utility bills, plumbing emergencies, low water quality, and other consequences of poor plumbing.

If you’ve purchased an old property, plumbing is one of the first things you need to check out. The most common problems old plumbing causes are:

• Clogs
• Tree intrusion
• Pipe damage
• Metal corrosion

All the above can lead to serious issues like burst pipes, blockage, poor water quality, and water loss.

New properties are prone to plumbing problems as well. More often than not, they occur due to DIY repair activities. That’s why it’s imperative to schedule plumbing maintenance with professionals.

Even if you don’t see any plumbing problems, they may exist. By inspecting and replacing your plumbing timely, you can save a significant amount of money. Timely maintenance is the key to avoiding emergencies.

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

If a plumbing problem is occurring on your property, you need to call us. If the problem is outside your property, the water utility company needs to be notified. Here are a few ways to identify the source of the problem:

• If there is a leak in your yard, turn off all the water valves. If the water meter stops, it’s the company’s problem. If it keeps running, call us.
• If there is a water pressure problem on your property, talk to your neighbors. If their water pressure is fine, call us. If they have the same issue, it’s the city’s problem.

To report the problem with water utilities on your Bronx property, contact the New York City Water Department in Bronx, New York at 718-652-5705.

If you aren’t sure about the source of the problem, consider calling us first. Our plumbing team can identify the cause and give your recommendations about further actions.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Bronx?

According to NYC Administrative Code, minor plumbing work can be performed without a permit. However, it should still be done by a licensed plumber like us. We do not need a permit for initial emergency work, minor changes, and ordinary plumbing work.

You can check out categories of plumbing work that don’t require a permit right here. However, whatever plumbing work you are planning, no matter how minor, it’s important to invite a licensed plumber like us.