AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Cincinnati, OH

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Cincinnati?

Just like everywhere else in the country, Cincinnati residents experience clogged sinks, slow drains, loss of water pressure, and even leaks. These kinds of problems just go with the territory when it comes to plumbing. An annual inspection by our qualified plumbers will help keep things running smoothly. Still, there are some plumbing issues that are tougher to handle like:

Frozen Water Pipes

When the winter winds blow and the temperature drops below freezing, exposed water pipes are in danger of freezing. When ice forms inside your water pipes, it expands, which can cause the pipe to burst open, spewing water everywhere. If that happens inside your home, like in a basement, it can cause a lot of damage to your home’s structure and your belongings. 

Keeping your pipes from freezing is vital. Water pipes and connections need to be carefully prepared for the cold. Our licensed plumbers can help you take care of this essential task so you don’t have to worry about frozen pipes ruining your day.

Water Heater Issues

Sediments and deposits tend to build up inside Cincinnati water heaters simply because the water is relatively hard. These deposits will eventually cause the water heater to malfunction or quit working altogether. Regular maintenance will help keep your water heater in good condition, but you can expect to have it repaired on occasion, and you’ll need a new one every so often as well.

Water heater issues can be a serious pain and a major inconvenience for you and your family. Our professional plumbers will be able to repair, replace, or install a water heater for you safely, quickly, and reasonably. 

Outdated Plumbing and Fixtures

Older homes in the Cincinnati area were built according to the standards of the time, and many remain in their original condition. While this might seem like a wonderful way to preserve history, old, outdated plumbing, including pipes, drains, and fixtures can be a plumbing nightmare. Leaks, potential contamination from lead pipes, and a variety of other problems can come from old plumbing.

If you live in an older home, consider the benefits of upgrading your plumbing, including avoiding frequent, expensive repairs. When you have your home’s old, worn out plumbing replaced by our experts, you can rest assured it is up to code, safe, and able to handle your water needs for years to come. 

How Does The Water In Cincinnati Affect Your Plumbing?

There’s no doubt that the water in Cincinnati is hard, and that can cause a number of problems with your plumbing. Just a few things you need to be aware of include:

• Scale buildup inside pipes which can eventually restrict or block the flow of water.
• Clogged fixtures like shower heads and faucets due to mineral deposits.
• Corrosion of pipes and fixtures leading to drips and larger leaks.
• Deposits build up inside your water appliances like the washing machine and dishwasher.

While you can’t do much about the hardness of the water you receive from the water utility, you may be able to mitigate some of these issues. We’ll help you find the right water filters and other plumbing solutions that reduce the problems associated with hard water.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Cincinnati?

You can expect our plumbers in Cincinnati to charge anywhere between $70 to $120 per hour for their services. But the average hourly rate is hardly the only factor in determining how much a plumbing job will cost you. Some of the other things that will come into play include:

How Bad Your Plumbing Problem Is

The more difficult your plumbing problem is to solve, the more you’re going to have to pay. It’s simple math, really. The longer it takes for our plumber to make the necessary repairs, the higher the labor costs. Extensive repairs and replacements also call for new materials, fixtures, and appliances, further increasing the cost. 

The severity of your plumbing issue can also be made worse by the weather. For example, winters in Ohio can be downright frigid, leading to frozen pipes. A burst pipe and subsequent flooding is more than a plumbing disaster that’ll test your budget, it can also lead to huge repair bills for damage done to your home. 

Where the Plumbing Issue Is

Your home’s plumbing is both inside and outside. Inside your home, costs can be affected by whether the plumbing issue is easily accessible, or if it’s concealed in a wall, floor, or ceiling. If you live in one of Cincinnati’s historic neighborhoods, care has to be taken not to disrupt the historic significance of the home.

When there’s a problem with the sewer line, or other external plumbing, our plumber needs special equipment, tools, and materials. Any number of things can impact the cost of external plumbing. For example, if you have mature trees growing near your home and roots infiltrate the sewer lines, requiring substantial repairs or a complete replacement. 

Parts and Materials

Plumbing fixtures, parts, and materials make up a large part of any plumbing bill, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There is a huge array of reasonably priced fixtures that are suitable for any residential application. But if you want high-end fixtures, like faucets and shower heads, installed in your Cincinnati home, you’ll pay a premium to have them installed.

Supply for plumbing parts is also a factor in your ultimate costs. When there’s increased demand for plumbing services, the cost of parts and materials generally goes up as well. During the spring and summer months, when more Cincinnati residents are remodeling and updating, costs may be higher. Likewise, during the slower winter months, you may find plumbing parts and fixtures are more reasonably priced.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Cincinnati?

Your home’s plumbing system is integral to your family’s health, happiness, and wellbeing. Fresh drinking water, plenty of hot water when you need it, and proper sewer disposal are all indications of a good plumbing system. Replacing old, leaking pipes and fixtures will have an immediate impact on your water use, which will reduce your monthly water bill. Getting an annual plumbing inspection by our licensed plumbers keeps repair bills low and ensures your plumbing stays in good shape longer. 

When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Cincinnati Vs Hire a Plumber?

When you’re having problems with your home’s water or sewer, your first thought might be to call Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) to report the problem. That might be the right thing to do, depending on what the problem is. Although GCWW does provide your home with water, you’ll need to call in our plumbers for some problems. 

When to Call GCWW

If there is a water main break, or sewer problem on your street, you’re going to want to give GCWW a call. They’re the ones who maintain the city’s fresh water and sewer system. If the issue is on their side of the meter, so to speak, they’ll take care of the issue, and you won’t be responsible for the costs. However, if the problem is caused by your property, or is on your property, you’ll have to pay for the repairs. Call GCWW if:

• You suspect a water main break.
• There’s a large amount of pooling water.
• Sewage is backing up onto your property.
• Your water bill suddenly spikes (it may be a leak).
• You have a leak, and you can’t shut off the main water valve.

When to Call a Plumber in Cincinnati

Not sure if you should call in our plumbers? The rule of thumb is that you should call us to make repairs on anything that’s related to your home’s plumbing system on your side of the meter. That’s going to include every faucet, shower, toilet, sink, and drain, including your exterior water spigots. Call us for:

• Clogged drains and backed up toilets.
• Leaking pipes or fixtures.
• Water heater repairs and replacement.
• Plumbing updates and upgrades.
• Low water flow issues.
• Frozen or burst pipes. 

When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Cincinnati?

It’s essential that you hire a professional plumber like Mr. Blue Plumbing to make repairs and replacements to your home’s plumbing system. In fact, the State of Ohio and the City of Cincinnati require that all plumbing work must be performed by state licensed plumbing professionals like us.

Cincinnati Plumbing Permits

A permit, as well as health and safety inspections, are required in Cincinnati for new plumbing installations. Likewise, replacement of existing plumbing fixtures requires a permit and follow-up inspections. To obtain a plumbing permit, the following criteria must be met:

• An application must be completed that includes two (2) sets of plans that fully detail the intended plumbing work. Notably, a piping schematic of the waste and vent system is required for this part of the permit process.
• If the plumbing work entails anything more than the repair or replacement of fixtures, a building permit will have to be obtained before the plumbing permit can be issued.
• Inspections have to be performed after any plumbing work is completed to ensure that it meets the city’s plumbing code. If the work doesn’t meet expectations, the plumber has to fix the issue and schedule another inspection.

The reason that it’s so important to get the necessary permits and to have your plumbing inspected is your health and safety. Cincinnati’s plumbing codes have been developed to provide a safe source of drinking water and to effectively remove waste from our homes, and it’s been tweaked over the years to promote the health and safety of everyone in the city of Cincinnati.