AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Toledo, OH

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Toledo?

Some plumbing problems tend to occur daily. The more we see a particular problem, the better equipped we become at handling it. We’ve developed our own wayof fixing particular problems and are considered the experts to call when faced with those. Let’s take a look at those plumbing issues now:

Hard Water, Mineral Buildup, and Low Water Pressure

If you get those unsightly white stains on your glasses, kitchen sink, and practically every visible surface that the water touches, then you have hard water. Hard water leads to mineral deposits or scale in your fixtures, but in your pipes, these are more worrisome. Over time, hard water leads to mineral buildup in your pipes that restrict the flow of water, eventually leading to low water pressure.

This can also make your drains and toilets sluggish. You can have a water softener installed in your direct water supply line to combat the issue.

Malfunctioning Appliances

Hard water also affects appliances negatively because it causes sediment to build up inside of them, making them less efficient, while using more energy. For example, water heaters are more prone to overheating as the layer of sediment prevents heat from escaping at the correct rate. 

Aging Infrastructure

The other major plumbing issue that plagues the greater Toledo area is that of aging infrastructure. Some older homes in the area have cast iron plumbing which have outlived their prescribed lifespan. We can suggest more affordable alternatives for this, especially if you’ll need to replumb.

Get in touch with us if there are any other issues that you’d like to discuss.

How Does the Water in Toledo Affect Your Plumbing?

Here is the most recent water quality report for Toledo, with a detailed list of the regulated contaminants that you can find in our drinking water, and whether or not they are in violation of the EPA standards. According to this list, Toledo drinking water is in pretty good shape.

Ohio water is generally considered hard to very hard, which means that we need to look out for the way it affects our plumbing. Hard water contains a surplus of minerals that creates a layer of buildup as it goes through our pipes. This tends to affect steel and copper pipes more than plastic ones. 

That being said, there are sections in the report that point directly to the water supply having the ability to corrode plumbing systems. This can also be caused by the additives that the water treatment facility uses to combat certain fungi and bacteria. These additives have fine particulates that can sandblast their way through your plumbing lines. These fine particulates can also eat away at rubber O-rings and faucet seats.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Toledo?

Now, let’s look at some average costs here in the greater Toledo area. These numbers we are going to be sharing with you are the average low, high, and overall price paid for a plumbing repair here:

• Average low cost for a plumbing repair in Toledo – $113
• Average high cost of a plumbing repair in Toledo – $821
• Average price paid for a plumbing repair in Toledo – $467

These include:

• Average labor cost
• Average costs associated with miscellaneous machinery or equipment rentals
• Project costs for site prep and/or cleanup

These exclude:

• Permits or inspections for plumbing repairs
• Materials/supplies plus Ohio state sales taxes
• Materials/supplies plus Toledo local sales taxes
• General contractor fees can add another $56.04 to $70.05 to your final costs

Let’s take into consideration a few factors that might make your final bill increase or possibly even decrease, depending on just how much is involved in your Toledo plumbing repair project.

Project Complexity and Accessibility

The total cost of the project will depend on the size and complexity of the job. How big is your plumbing repair project going to be? Are you having a faucet repaired or your whole house replumbed? If it’s a simple one-day fix, it will cost less than a multi-day project that will definitely involve more labor. The additional costs will also pile on if your house or the area that needs our service is hard to access.

There will also be an added fee for emergency jobs, like pipe bursts due to frozen water inside pipes or major leaks which can’t wait to be scheduled.

Additional Equipment

Will your plumbing repair project need any extra equipment rental that you might not have thought about? We usually have all the equipment needed to complete the job. However, there may be times when additional equipment or a piece of equipment that is not normally used needs to be rented to complete your project. 

Extra Charges

If you have a burst water line in a wall in your master bedroom, you are going to need two additional items added to your final cost, which are the charge to tear into the wall to get to the problem and the charge to reconstruct what was previously demolished. More often than not, reconstruction will have to be done by a separate party.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Toledo?

Yes, better plumbing in your Toledo home is going to save you lots of money. Here’s why. Let’s say that we have been to your home 5 or 6 times in the past year to repair a burst water line outside. Add to that the number of repairs to the same line once it reaches your home and eventually, there will be a point where the total replacement of that line will far outweigh any further costs for repairs.

Now let’s talk about getting an upgrade. Upgrading your plumbing fixtures to the newer, efficient WaterSense fixtures endorsed by the EPA is going to save you money on your monthly water utility bill. These fixtures are available at your local plumbing supply house or the local home improvement store of your choice. They can be identified by the WaterSense logo on the packaging. All WaterSense fixtures use 20% less water than their counterparts, thereby saving you money on your water bill.

Yes, better plumbing and better fixtures can and do save you money.

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

Plumber

If you find a sudden increase in your bill without knowing the actual cause, you might have a leak. If you can’t find it yourself, but notice a puddle in your driveway or certain areas around your house, we recommend that you give us a call. 

Water Utility Company

If we, however, find that the leak is on the water utility company’s side of the water meter, the City of Toledo’s water distribution personnel can help you with that. You can get in touch with the City’s customer service 24/7 at 419-936-2020. This line is to be used for issues requiring immediate attention. For other matters, you can send an email to Engage Toledo at engagetoledo@toledo.oh.gov.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Toledo?

Certain plumbing projects in Toledo, like remodeling and fixture installations, will require permits and/or possibly inspections. New residential, old residential, and commercial units are separated into categories and have different additional fixed price costs per fixture. If you are wondering whether or not your plumbing repair project is going to require any type of permit, we can help you figure that out. Give us a call today!