Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lake Oswego?
- 2 How Does the Water in Lake Oswego Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lake Oswego?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lake Oswego?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Lake Oswego vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lake Oswego?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lake Oswego?
Just like everywhere else in the country, you can’t get away from some plumbing problems. Dripping faucets, clogged drains and toilets, and worn-out fixtures are the most common plumbing problems. But, homeowners in Lake Oswego also have to contend with some unique plumbing problems that people in other parts of the country don’t.
Earthquake Damage
One of the unique plumbing issues that we encounter in Lake Oswego is earthquake damage. While the epicenter of most quakes is far away, it’s often felt here, and aftershocks are common. When the earth begins to shift, and your home shakes due to an earthquake, it can damage your plumbing. When earthquakes shake pipes, the connections can weaken, allowing the plumbing to fail.
In some cases, plumbing can bend due to the force of the movement, which can cause the pipe to burst catastrophically. You may not notice the pipes have shifted other times, but a slow leak may begin inside a wall, under a floor, or in the crawl space. Even a slow drip inside your wall can become a big problem if it is left long enough. Moisture attracts mold and mildew, rots the drywall and wood, and other structural issues.
Undetected, Hidden Leaks
Out of sight, out of mind is not a phrase we like to use when it comes to plumbing. But that’s often the case for homeowners in Lake Oswego and elsewhere. You just don’t think about those pipes inside the wall until a damp spot starts to appear in the drywall. The pipes that feed second-floor bathroom faucets, showers, and toilets aren’t a problem until water starts dripping from the ceiling above.
Many times, leaks inside the walls under floors, in ceilings, and other hidden areas of your home go unnoticed for quite some time. The only indication that there’s a problem may be a small spike in your water bill. You might also notice water stains, as mentioned before, or mold growth in areas that appear to be damp.
DIY Plumbing Repairs
Many people like to take on home repair and improvement projects. It can be fun to paint a room or redecorate the kitchen, but it’s never a good idea to go it alone when it comes to plumbing. We see all kinds of amateur plumbing mistakes in Lake Oswego. From incorrectly fitted pipes to poor connections, many of the errors we see are building code violations. Worse yet, they put you and your home at risk.
If you want to try your hand at replacing a faucet or showerhead, that’s great, but otherwise, skip the DIY plumbing repairs altogether. You’re likely to cost yourself more in the long run with repairs and the additional cost of having things replumbed professionally.
How Does the Water in Lake Oswego Affect Your Plumbing?
A common complaint among Lake Oswego homeowners is that they experience water pressure issues from time to time. It’s an annoyance at the least, like when you can’t get enough water pressure to shower or wash your hair correctly. But, it can also be a problem when you’re using a water appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher. If the water pressure is too low, the device won’t function right. Too high, and the pressure can damage the machine.
We’re very aware of the types of water pressure problems you and your neighbors in Lake Oswego deal with. We also understand that the difference in elevation between your home and the reservoir’s elevation that serves water to your house causes most water pressure issues, and we can fix the problem.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lake Oswego?
Plumbers in Lake Oswego charge anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour for their expert services. Although it can be somewhat helpful to know what the average cost of a plumber will be, it’s not very accurate. We’re not going to say your plumbing issue will cost a certain amount. We can’t do that unless we see the problem. What we can do is tell you what goes into your plumbing bill.
The Extent of the Plumbing Issue
Your home has an extensive plumbing system, and problems can arise along any portion of it. Repairing a minor plumbing issue won’t be a considerable cost. However, replacing plumbing pipes and fixtures during a kitchen or bathroom upgrade will be significantly more expensive. And, of course, the cost will be even more if you ever need to repipe your Lake Oswego home.
The Type of Plumbing Problem
Not all plumbing issues are created equally. Some things can be considered minor, non-emergency types of problems, like a faucet that drips. Other plumbing problems are severe emergencies, and immediate action is necessary, such as when a pipe bursts and water infiltrates your home. As you might suspect, emergency plumbing bills are almost always higher than non-emergency, scheduled appointments.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Plumbing
Your home’s plumbing system doesn’t stop with the pipes and fixtures inside. It continues outside where your home’s water inlet pipes and sewer lines meet the city water main and sewer line. Because the pipes that carry your freshwater and sewer waste are large, heavy, and buried underground, it’s more challenging to repair them. So, as you guessed, outdoor plumbing costs more in Lake Oswego.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lake Oswego?
There’s no doubt that taking good care of your Lake Oswego home’s plumbing system is a good idea. At the very least, you should be having your home’s plumbing inspected once a year. During those annual inspections, your plumber can detect minor problems, and they can make repairs on the spot. These minor repairs will reduce the possibility that you’ll have a plumbing emergency.
By installing a regulator and managing your home’s water pressure better, you’ll save yourself a great deal of aggravation and a little bit of money too. Regulated pressure will ensure your shower does its job, and it’ll make it easier for you to get clean, so you’ll spend less time in the shower, and you’ll use less water. Proper water pressure also helps your water appliances operate more efficiently and ensures that they have the most extended useful life possible.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Lake Oswego vs Hire a Plumber?
When you have a plumbing emergency, it can be easy to worry and fret about what to do. After all, you don’t want your home damaged, and you need help right away. But it’s straightforward when it comes to who you’re supposed to call in case of a plumbing problem. Remember that the City of Lake Oswego is, in no way, responsible for any of the plumbing inside your home. So, for clogged drains, overflowing toilets, faucet replacements and repairs, water heater replacements, and other plumbing repairs inside your home, leave it to the pros.
You will want to contact the City if you’re going to be working on plumbing leak repairs in your home. They can arrange to shut the water off at a specific time, so you can make the necessary repairs without worrying about additional leaks or water damage. You’ll also want to call the Lake Oswego Public Works Department if you’re experiencing an outdoor leak and don’t know where it’s coming from. They’ll shut off the water so that you can make the necessary repairs.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lake Oswego?
In most cases, minor plumbing repairs like changing out a faucet don’t trigger a requirement for a building permit. However, you need to apply for a plumbing permit if you need extensive plumbing work done in your Lake Oswego home. Under the State of Oregon Building Code, which is the basis for the Lake Oswego codes, you need a permit to make alterations or additions to the plumbing of a home or other building.
Some of the types of plumbing services that require homeowners and plumbing contractors to obtain a permit in Lake Oswego include:
- Plumbing pipe installation and replacement
- Repiping a home’s plumbing
- Installation of a water heater
- Moving pipes and fixtures to remodel a bathroom or kitchen
- Major renovations of the plumbing system.
- Repairing and installing water input lines
- Repairing and replacing sewer lines
In addition to the plumbing permit, it’s essential to schedule an appointment to have the plumbing work inspected by the city. Booking an inspection isn’t a complex process, but it can be daunting if you’ve never dealt with building inspectors before. They can be tough, and you must be sure the work is up to their exacting standards.
Whenever we work on a plumbing job in a Lake Oswego home, we make sure that we’ve applied for and received all the appropriate permits. We also arrange for inspections of the plumbing work to ensure that everything meets the building code and that it’s safe for you and your family.
