AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Huntington, NY

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Huntington?

Although the area is a great place to live and visit, it is not without its problems, especially when it comes to the area’s plumbing. 

Huntington’s water quality report for 2020 shows total hardness at 2.7-88.1, which means that the water is soft to moderately hard, according to the USGS and Water Quality Association (WQA).

Thankfully, there are things that homeowners can do in Huntington to minimize these plumbing issues. However, they first have to learn more about some of the common plumbing concerns the area has to deal with.

Leaks and Corrosion

Old piping systems can cause numerous issues for homeowners in Huntington, especially those with older homes. With Huntington’s water quality being mostly soft, the issue stems from the water itself creating pinhole leaks in the pipes.

Consequently, corrosion is a common problem in the area, and the surrounding towns and residents need to keep an eye out for signs of this issue, which can include brownish, weird-tasting, or foul-smelling water. Soft water lacks minerals, so pinhole leaks and corrosion draw out heavy metals, like copper, from the pipes. This can lead to various safety and health issues.

Water Pressure Issues

If you start seeing that your water is coming out as a trickle, you likely have a water pressure problem. These pressure issues often develop when there is a pipe leak that prevents the water from making its way to the faucet. Although it may not seem like a plumbing emergency, the longer you wait to get this issue fixed, the higher the chance that your water will become blocked entirely, and the situation will become extremely challenging to control.

Pipe Bursts

During the winter months, the average minimum temperature in Huntington is either close to or below freezing. What does this mean for your pipes, you ask? Pipe bursts are brought about by expanding water molecules that create pressure in your pipes. It moves water along until the pressure is too great to be contained, eventually leading to burst pipes. We recommend pipe insulation, especially before the problem occurs.

How Does the Water in Huntington Affect Your Plumbing?

The water quality in Huntington is mostly soft to moderately hard, which means that there isn’t usually an excess of minerals, like calcium and magnesium, in the water. Although this doesn’t cause mineral buildup, which may clog your pipes, this usually causes pinhole leaks and corrosion, which allow copper and other heavy metals to leech into your water supply.

These leaks and corrosion might make you have to replace your pipes sooner. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Huntington?

In Huntington, the average cost of plumbing is around $450. However, this price can be lower or higher, depending on the plumbing work that needs to be done. Yet, even though these price variations can occur for several reasons, it is still vital that homeowners understand these factors so that they can be better prepared to handle their plumbing bills.

Emergency Services and Labor

If your plumbing issue requires emergency plumbing services, the costs involved will be significantly higher than a standard plumbing repair visit. However, do not let these costs stop you from getting the plumbing fixed. Many times, these emergency services can help stop disastrous consequences and prevent extensive water damage to your home. 

Yet, if your plumbing problem does not require emergency services, the cost of the job will depend on the specific plumbing work. For example, a clogged drain or a leaking pipe will cost less than replacing a water heater. 

The Difficulty of the Job

Another factor you need to be aware of is the complexity of the plumbing job. For instance, some of the more common plumbing issues, such as running toilets, clogged drains, and leaky pipes, can be taken care of relatively quickly by a skilled plumbing professional. Yet, if your plumbing work involves a significant plumbing overhaul, you can expect the job to get expensive, as it will often take us many hours to complete the work and require intricate plumbing parts that can raise the overall costs of the plumbing. 

Plumbing Fixtures and Parts

If the plumbing dilemma is a rather common issue, an experienced plumber will likely have the required parts to quickly fix the problem without ordering any additional materials, tools, or fixtures. But if the job is more complex and requires unique plumbing fixtures or parts, then expect the overall cost of the job to increase, as you will now have to be responsible for paying not only for the labor but also the costly materials. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Huntington?

Better plumbing can save you money in Huntington. PEX pipes, for example, are a cheaper alternative to copper pipes. Aside from being cheaper, there is little to no risk of leeching, which is commonly caused by soft water.

Insulated pipes also lessens or eliminates the chance for leaks and pipe bursts during the winter season. Our team can help you diagnose and repair these issues.

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Huntington Vs Hire a Plumber?

If you have a water issue in your home, it can be challenging to figure out whether you need to contact us or the utility company. What makes the situation even more complicated is that the answer will often depend on the situation. Luckily, you do not have to try to figure out these stressful circumstances on your own. Below, we have outlined a few tips to help you decide who you need to contact if you experience a plumbing emergency.

Contact Mr Blue Plumbing

If your toilets, showers, or sinks are not draining correctly, your water sewage is backing up into your home, your water bills begin to spike, or you notice a water leak in your home, you need to call us. We can not only quickly figure out what the plumbing issue in your home is, but also take care of the problem before it escalates into a significant and expensive home repair project. 

Contact Your Water Utility Company

In comparison, if you see a water leak on your street because the water main broke, you see a leak in your neighbor’s house but nobody is home, or the water in your house goes out, it is time to call the water utility company. Once you contact the facility, they can send out contractors to investigate the issue, figure out what the problem is, and get the situation resolved fast. Plus, they can also keep you updated about outages in the area and notify you when your water will be turned back on.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Huntington?

In Huntington, plumbing permits are required to repair, install, or modify plumbing systems, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas piping, medical gas systems, or irrigation systems. The Director of Engineering Services or their designee will issue plumbing permits upon compliance by the applicant with all the local and state requirements and standards. 

In addition, applicants also need to be aware that: 

• It is unlawful for any person to repair, install, or modify any plumbing or fixture without the benefit of a valid master or limited plumbing license issued by the Director of Engineering Services. The only exception to this is gas piping, or the work is done by the owner of a one or two-family dwelling. In these situations, the owner may conduct plumbing repair, maintenance, and installation activities within the premises, without a license, as long as the work being performed is by the owner and not by the owner’s contractor or another individual. 
• A plumbing permit copy must be kept on-site when the work is being performed.
• No work is authorized to start until the permit has been issued.

However, because these permits are often project-specific, it is important that before you tackle any plumbing repair work or plumbing replacement work, you contact the City and verify (with an inspector or a representative) if a permit is required and what is needed from you to obtain one. We can also help you with that.