Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Yonkers?
- 2 How Does the Water in Yonkers Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Yonkers?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Yonkers?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Yonkers vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Yonkers?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Yonkers?
We regularly get plumbing service calls to Yonkers for overflowing toilets, clogged sink drains, and dripping faucets. These types of plumbing problems are especially prevalent in older homes that haven’t had a plumbing upgrade. We also see some unique plumbing problems in Yonkers that people in other parts of the country don’t always experience, including:
Lead in Drinking Water
According to tests that have been done on the City of Yonkers drinking water, there is no detectable lead level. That’s great news. However, it’s very common for older homes in the city and those plumbed before 1986 to still have the original lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solder. When water comes in contact with the lead, this heavy metal leaches out and makes its way into your drinking water.
Lead is hazardous for unborn babies through their pregnant mothers. Lead exposure can cause low birth weight, and young children exposed to lead are more likely to have growth and developmental delays, hearing or sight problems, behavioral issues, and difficulty learning. If lead pipes are detected, it’s urgent to have them replaced, especially if a pregnant woman or child lives in the home.
Polybutylene Pipes
Until 1996, homes in Yonkers were often fitted with inexpensive polybutylene plastic plumbing pipes. It was extremely flexible, easy to work with, and resistant to freezing. Unfortunately, there is a fatal flaw with this type of plumbing pipe. Over time, the inside surfaces begin to break down, scale off, and weaken. The problem is, the pipe looks perfectly normal from the outside.
Without warning, polybutylene pipes have been known to burst, sending gallons of water spilling out onto the floor, walls, ceilings, and everything in the area. The water damage alone is hard to manage, but the burst pipes also mean that the home’s entire plumbing system may need to be upgraded. We highly recommend having polybutylene pipes replaced before you experience a catastrophic plumbing issue.
Water Heater Issues
The water in Yonkers is relatively hard, which means there is an abundance of minerals dissolved in it. These minerals can build up in your pipes and settle in your water heater, leaving them less efficient and limiting their useful lifespans. We routinely get calls for underperforming water heaters in Yonkers as a result.
How Does the Water in Yonkers Affect Your Plumbing?
The City of Yonkers gets its drinking water from the New York City Water Supply System. This system is fed by two watersheds, the Catskill and Delaware. These watersheds are protected areas located in Upstate New York, west of the Hudson River. Because the water comes from these natural sources, it tends to be hard because it contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.
The water in Yonkers measures about 100 parts per million of dissolved minerals, which is considered hard by the USGS Water Hardness Scale. Hard water impacts your home’s plumbing system and water appliances in many ways. Over time, mineral scale builds up inside pipes, fixtures, and appliances. When pipes are restricted, you have water pressure issues, which can cause damage to the plumbing and ruin your appliances.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Yonkers?
Generally, you can expect to pay somewhere between $120 and $900 for our professional plumbing services in Yonkers. It depends on how complex the plumbing job is. A more complex job takes longer, so the bill for the services is higher. We can’t say how difficult your plumbing problem is to fix or how long it will take without an inspection. We’ll also have to consider the following:
Cost Factor: Extent of the Plumbing Job
As you might expect, minor plumbing problems in Yonkers aren’t that expensive to fix. Many small issues can be repaired in an hour or less, and the bill reflects how easy the repair is. Removing a house full of lead or polybutylene plastic plumbing pipes and replacing them, on the other hand, is an extensive plumbing project. It can take weeks to finish a project of this magnitude, a large crew of workers, and a hefty budget.
Cost Factor: Historic Preservation Concerns
If you live in one of the beautiful old Victorian homes or another vintage or unique home in Yonkers, you’d be right to worry about preserving it. A plumbing problem that requires holes and other damage is scary. We understand that you have concerns about ruining your walls, flooring, and woodwork, and we go out of our way to come up with fixes and plumbing solutions that don’t cause damage to your home. In fact, you probably will never know we’ve been in your home, except for the better plumbing. However, this process takes more time and leads to higher charges.
Cost Factor: Hidden Plumbing Problems
Many times, finding the source of a plumbing leak is a huge challenge, especially when no signs other than increased water usage are present. We’ve gotten pretty good at locating even the most difficult-to-find leaks in homes across the City of Yonkers. Whether it’s a leak behind a wall, under the floor, or in the basement, we’re going to find it. We’re also experts and making repairs in a way that minimizes damages. Again, this takes time and increases labor charges.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Yonkers?
You can certainly save money by having your home’s plumbing system inspected at least once a year. These annual inspections will reveal signs of wear and tear and damage to your plumbing system. The necessary repairs can be done right then, saving you from making an emergency call later on, which is always more expensive.
Taking action to soften your home’s water will also save you money in the long run. Your plumbing fixtures, pipes, and water appliances will all function better and last longer. In addition, you’ll notice that you aren’t using so much soap, shampoo, and detergent. In fact, soft water is highly effective at cleaning your body, clothes, and home with very little added soap.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Yonkers vs Hire a Plumber?
As with most cities in the U.S., Yonkers’ local water utility company is only responsible for the underground pipes on their side of the meter. That includes the water inlet pipe and the sewer line. Other than that, they aren’t going to help you with any plumbing issues on your property. If you see a water main that’s broken and leaking water on the sidewalk or street, contact the City of Yonkers to report it.
That said, anything on your side of the meter, including any outdoor fixtures and underground plumbing, as well as the indoor plumbing is your responsibility. Clearing clogged drains and toilets, stopping leaks, replacing worn fixtures, installing pipes, all these things are the homeowner’s responsibilities in Yonkers. This will include any problems with the water inlet pipes or clogs in your sewer line caused by foreign objects, tree roots, or other damage. In some cases, you may still need to contact the city to request they shut off the water so you can make repairs.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Yonkers?
Ensuring that plumbing work done in the city meets the New York State Plumbing Code requirements is The City of Yonkers Plumbing Division’s task. These standards must be followed to make sure that all plumbing work within the state is safe to use. Following the building code also ensures that the plumbing will function the way it’s supposed to without premature wear, tear, or failure to any of the components. As licensed plumbers in Yonkers, we understand how important it is to maintain a high level of quality. Every plumbing job we undertake is fully compliant with all state and local building code requirements. Some plumbing projects that require a permit in Yonkers include:
- Installation of new plumbing systems
- Replacement and relocation of plumbing pipes and fixtures
- Installation of water heaters (both electric and gas)
- Installation of new fixtures such as toilets, showers, bathtubs, and sinks
- Installations of new floor drains
- Removal and replacement of lead and polybutylene pipes
- Replacement of water mains and sewer lines
In addition to the initial plumbing permits, you also need to have any plumbing work inspected by a city inspector. They’ll check all the connections, make sure the right size and type of plumbing pipe are used, and ensure that all the fixtures are properly installed. Once the inspector has signed off on the work, walls can be replaced where hidden plumbing was repaired, holes can be patched, and the plumbing is ready to use.
