AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Hillsboro, OR

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Hillsboro?

All those new homes mean a lot of new plumbing. Whether your home is brand new or part of one of the historic districts, you’ll need to know how to take care of your plumbing system. It’s a vital part of your home, whether you are cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, or making a cup of tea. This guide will give you insight into some of the most common issues Hillsboro’s residents experience with their plumbing. It will also offer advice on what to do if something goes wrong.

It doesn’t matter if your home is old or new; eventually, you are going to have a plumbing issue. You can help decrease your chances of a plumbing disaster, though, by practicing good preventative maintenance. However, even the best-kept plumbing systems can experience issues. Here are the three most common problems we help solve in Hillsboro homes:

Clogged Drains

Clogs can happen due to many reasons like not running your garbage disposal often enough or too much hair going down your shower drain. In Hillsboro, though, tree roots are often the cause of a clog. Our lush landscaping means trees send their roots deep into the earth, growing around your pipes. They can penetrate the pipe and grow inside, causing your drains to empty slowly and eventually clog altogether. Using special equipment, we can clear root penetration from your plumbing and restore good flow without damaging your landscaping. 

Broken Pipes

There are some gorgeous older homes in Hillsboro, especially in the Downtown Historic and Old Orenco districts. A lot of these older areas have older pipes, though. Pipes don’t last forever, and many of these older pipes are starting to deteriorate, causing clogs, low water pressure, leaks, and even issues with water contamination. It’s a good idea to have your pipes inspected to make sure they are still in good condition. If there is damage, we will be able to help repipe your property with brand new, longer-lasting materials. 

Backed-Up Sewer Lines

One thing we don’t lack in Hillsboro is rain. All that rain is great for your landscaping, but not always. Big rainstorms can overload the sewer lines in town, leading to sewer backups in your home. It’s an unpleasant experience, and could potentially be a health hazard. Your plumbing system should include backflow prevention, but if it’s not working, it’s time to call our plumbers. We’ll be able to install new backflow preventers and ensure there aren’t any clogs in your sewage lines causing additional issues.

How Does the Water in Hillsboro Affect Your Plumbing?

The quality of Hillsboro’s water is outstanding. It’s great for drinking, washing your clothes, and having a bath. Even better? It’s relativelyeasy on your plumbing.

Much of the water used by residents comes from the Upper Tualatin River. Because the city sources so much of its water from rivers, the water has low concentrations of minerals in it, meaning it’s considered to be soft water, according to the USGS’s water hardness scale. Hillsboro’s water rates, on average, around 22 ppm for mineral hardness, which is very low. That means the water is easier on your hair, clothes, and your plumbing fixtures.

Areas that have hard water will notice mineral buildup in their plumbing equipment and fixtures. Mineral deposits can leave white residue on your shower doors and drinking glasses as well as buildup at the end of your taps. Over time, those mineral deposits can start to clog up pipes and even create mechanical failure in water heaters. It’s a problem that, thankfully, Hillsboro’s residents won’t have to worry much about. 

However, soft water pulls minerals away from your pipes and causes pinhole leaks over time. As a result, small leaks that eventually grow into more significant ones are an issue in Hillsboro.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Hillsboro?

What you’ll pay when you call our plumbers will depend on the project itself. Some plumbing jobs, such as fixing a running toilet or stopping a leaky tap, will cost around $100; other jobs, such as burst water mains or refitting an old bathroom in Historic Orenco, will cost closer to $1,000. There are a few factors that will affect your cost: 

Amount of Labor Required

Our plumbers typically charge an hourly rate. Our Hillsboro plumbers are in line with the national average, which is around $65 an hour. Longer working time equates to a higher bill. Our experienced plumbers will have a good idea of how long a simple job will take and might be able to give you a flat rate instead.

Materials

You’ll be responsible for paying for all the materials our plumbers need for the job. This can happen in one of two ways. We may purchase the materials themselves and add the cost of the materials onto your final bill or you can purchase the materials yourself and we will fit them for you. If you decide to buy the materials yourself, make sure you get a detailed list of parts from us and ask our advice about what brands to buy from. We’ll know what brands will last and which ones are cheaply made and more likely to give out. 

When You Need the Job Done

Plumbing issues don’t always happen during normal business hours. They are more likely to occur after normal hours or over the weekend when your family is at home and putting more pressure on your plumbing system. If you have an after-hours plumbing emergency, prepare to pay a premium. You may pay a higher hourly rate or you may pay an additional call-out fee on your final bill. It’s worth it, though. Allowing a plumbing issue to go on for too long can result in expensive water damage in your home. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Hillsboro?

Good plumbing can help you save money in a few different ways:

Fewer Replacement Costs 

No plumbing fixture lasts forever. Even if your Amberglen apartment has a state-of-the-art toilet, eventually, someone will need to replace it in the future. However, when you buy quality fixtures, you’ll end up replacing them a lot less. It’s worth talking to our experienced plumbers about what brands we’d recommend within your budget, so you can get the best you can afford.

Lower Repair Bills

When you have quality fixtures maintained by our experienced plumbers, you’ll end up paying to repair those fixtures a lot less. Our experts will take preventative measures to ensure your plumbing system is ready to handle all the daily demands you place on it. That means fewer leaks, less wasted water, and cheaper repair costs over time. 

Cheaper Monthly Utilities

Even a little leak can end up wasting a lot of water. You’ll pay for every drop you waste, too, and that can quickly add up. When you maintain quality fixtures well, you’ll experience fewer leaks, and that means a lower monthly utility bill. That’s better for the environment, too. Hillsboro is passionate about water conservation, and a lot of the city’s water conservation tips start with taking care of your home’s plumbing system.

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

Whether you should call the Hillsboro water utility department or our local plumbers depends on what the issue is and where it’s happening. 

• For water leaks: If the leak is happening between the water meter and your home, it’s on your property. For most people, that means all pipes from the sidewalk to your home are yours to maintain and fix, so you’ll need our plumbers. 
• For sewage leaks: Everything from the sewer main to your house is your responsibility. The city will maintain only the sewer mains, which are primarily located in the street. 

If you aren’t sure whether a leak is your problem or the city’s, you can contact the water department to ask.

If you see a backed-up sewer or a leak from a fire hydrant or in the street, then you should report it to the Hillsboro water department right away. They will send out a technician to inspect and fix the issue. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Hillsboro?

In general, if you are simply fixing an existing plumbing fixture in your home, then you don’t need a permit. If you are altering or changing any of the plumbing in your home, you’ll need to get a plumbing permit from the City of Hillsboro. Permits are required for projects such as: 

• Adding bathrooms onto your existing property
• Adding new sewer lines
• Adding backflow preventers
• Installing new appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, or garbage disposals
• Replacing a broken water heater

The Hillsboro plumbing permit form is available online. Submitting it should only take a few minutes. The city tries to approve or reject applications within 14 days. They review most residential projects within about ten days, so they are pretty quick about it (although delays do happen).

If your plumbing project is more complicated, you may need to submit your plan electronically. We can help you with this process and may be able to do it on your behalf. This is where working with professionals like us can save you time and money, because we know how to avoid costly delays in the approval process.