AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Akron, OH

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Akron?

Akron is a city in Ohio and home to numerous attractions, including the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, a Tudor Revival manor house, landscaped grounds, and a conservatory. However, it is the things that people may not know about the city that creates its charm. For instance, the hamburger was supposedly invented here. Thomas Edison often visited because his wife was an Akronite, and let us not forget that Akron is also home to NBA superstar LeBron James.

Yet, although Akron is filled with historical sights and a nightlife that brings the city to life, it is not without its issues, especially when it comes to plumbing. Akron’s plumbing problems are diverse and can include everything from a total sewer blockage to a leaky faucet. Thankfully, routine plumbing maintenance can help you avoid most of the following common plumbing problems the area has to deal with.

Dripping Faucets

Not only are dripping faucets incredibly annoying, but they can also cause a lot of wasted water and an expensive utility bill. Typically, a dripping faucet indicates that the valve seat needs a replacement or repair or that you’ve worn out the washer. Your equipment and fixtures in Akron will wear out more quickly than in other areas because of the corrosive hard water in the city. Although you may consider doing this job yourself to save money, you should leave it to our plumbing professionals who have the knowledge and the tools needed to repair these broken parts correctly. 

Aging Pipes

Aging piping systems can result in several issues that include pipe backups, drain buildups, and pipe leaks. Plus, these older plumbing systems can cause various health and safety issues since these pipes can corrode and result in them releasing heavy metals into the water. For these reasons, homeowners in Akron, where the average age of the home is over 65 years old, must regularly inspect their pipes to ensure that they remain in good working order. 

Low Water Pressure

If you notice that your standard flowing shower all of a sudden starts to trickle out the water, you likely have a severe water pressure problem. Typically, these pressure issues happen because of mineral deposits in the aerators caused by Akron’s hard water or a pipe leak that prevents water from making its way to the faucet. Over time if you do not fix these problems, these clogs and leaks can stop the water from flowing entirely. 

That is why, if you notice a water pressure problem, you should contact our experienced Akron plumbers as quickly as possible to investigate the issue and fix it before it escalates into something more challenging to control. 

Sewer System Backups

If your home has incoming water lines and outgoing sewer lines, the sewer needs to move the used water from your toilet, sinks, and even the washing machine away from your home. When this waste line gets blocked or breached, the water will back up into your home, causing severe contamination, mold growth, and water damage. 

Like most contamination problems, sewage backups are not only damaging to the home, but they are also potentially bio-hazardous, causing conditions that can cause health problems because of viruses and bacteria. For these reasons, it is essential to realize that sewer backups are more common in Akron these days because of aging sewer systems that combine raw sewage, stormwater, and old tree roots seeking moisture. They require a skilled plumbing professional like Mr. Blue Plumbing to handle the problem correctly.  

How Does the Water in Akron Affect Your Plumbing?

The Upper Cuyahoga River is the primary source of raw water for Akron’s water supply, and it is generally considered of high quality. In addition, Akron’s Water Plant Division is responsible for treating approximately 35 million gallons a day of surface water from this river through three impounding reservoirs, including Lake Rockwell, Portage County, and East Branch Reservoir. 

Yet, although the water is safe to drink, it is considered to be moderately hard. Hard water has many benefits for those consuming it. Still, when it comes to your pipes, this repeated exposure to this type of water can result in limescale buildup, which will eventually cause the pipe to become clogged and ultimately decrease the overall quality of the water in the home. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Akron?

In Akron, the price of plumbing can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, with most of the plumbing jobs averaging around $450. Yet, because several issues can influence the overall costs of a plumbing repair project, homeowners must understand these factors to prepare for the resulting plumbing bills. 

Cost Factor: Emergency Services and Labor Costs

In many instances, if you have a plumbing emergency, you will not wait to get the problem resolved. This is because you must take care of significant water leaks right away, or the resulting consequences can be disastrous. That is why even though emergency plumbing services cost more than a regularly scheduled visit, you should not avoid them. These emergency plumbing services can help prevent extensive water damage to your home. 

On the other hand, if your plumbing work does not require emergency services, then the cost of the job will depend on the work our plumber needs to complete. For instance, a new water heater will cost much more than getting a drain unclogged. 

Cost Factor: The Difficulty of the Work That Needs to Be Done

Another critical factor you need to be aware of is the complexity of our plumbers’ work. Generally, common plumbing issues such as running toilets, leaky pipes, and clogged drains can often be taken care of quickly by our experienced plumbing professionals. However, if these jobs consist of a major plumbing overhaul, the cost of the plumbing work can get incredibly expensive as it will take even the most skilled plumbers like ours many hours to complete the job and may require a significant amount of intricate parts that can raise the overall costs. 

Cost Factor: Fixture Expenses

If your plumbing issue involves a common problem, our skilled plumbers will have the required plumbing parts on hand to quickly fix the mishap without the need of ordering any extra fixtures, tools, or material. However, suppose the job is more complex or requires specific and unique parts. In that case, the overall costs of the work will significantly increase because you will be on the hook for paying for these expensive materials and the labor. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Akron?

If you are looking for a plumber in Akron, all you have to take out your phone and Google plumbers in the area. In mere seconds, you will have a list of plumbers ready to take on your job. Yet, just because the process of finding a plumber is easy, it does not mean the plumber you find will be capable of handling the work you need them to complete. 

In truth, if you hire a plumber who lacks the skills and the experience to take on a complicated plumbing project, it can result in significant headaches. For one, you will have to deal with expensive plumbing bills for work that was not appropriately completed or left unfinished, plus you will now need to deal with the hassle of finding a new, skilled plumber to fix your plumbing fiasco. 

For these reasons, avoid these problems from the start and hire our skilled, knowledgeable, and trusted Akron plumbers at Mr. Blue Plumbing to take care of your plumbing issues from the get-go.

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

If you are experiencing a water problem in your home, it can be challenging figuring out whether you need to hire us or contact the utility company. Typically, the answer will depend on the situation. However, you do not have to try to figure out this stressful situation on your own. Below we have outlined a few tips to help you decide who you need to contact in a plumbing emergency. 

Contact an Experienced Plumber When You Notice the Following Plumbing Issues

Suppose you notice a water leak in your home, water sewage backing up into your house, your sinks, toilets, or showers not draining correctly, or your water bills suddenly beginning to spike. In that case, it is time to call our professionals. 

In these circumstances, you will need to hire our experienced Akron plumbers to take care of your plumbing issues quickly before they become a significant hazard to your home.

Contact Your Water Utility Company When You Experience the Following Plumbing Issues

If you see a water leak on your street because of a water main break, your home’s water goes out, or you notice a water leak at a neighbor’s house, but nobody is home, then you need to contact your local water utility company promptly. The company will send out contractors to get this issue resolved fast while also keeping you updated about the outages in your area.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Akron?

Specific plumbing projects may require a permit issued by the Summit County Department of Building Standards and the city of Akron. In general, the Summit County Department of Building Standards will review and issue permits for projects covered under the Ohio Building Code and projects covered under the Ohio Residential Code. In comparison, the city of Akron will review projects and issue permits for the following:

• Grading
• Paving
• Fire Prevention
• Public right-of-way work
• Sewer work
• Public utility conflicts
• Water
• Traffic codes
• Stormwater pollution prevention plan
• Zoning codes

However, because these permits are project-specific before you do any plumbing repair or replacement work, it is essential to contact the city and verify with an inspector if a permit is required and what you need to do to obtain one.