AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Medford, OR

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Medford?

Medford, Oregon is home to over 80,000 residents, and it has been a fantastic place to live, work, and play for over a hundred years. Medford was established in 1884, and the city is full of incredible history. Many buildings within the city are registered as historic sites, and plenty of homes in the area were built decades ago.

This adds plenty of charm to the city, but older homes and buildings also come with their own set of problems, especially when it comes to plumbing. As a result, many of the plumbing issues we see in Medford are due largely to older piping and plumbing systems. Three of the most common plumbing problems in Medford are root problems, low water pressure, and clogged drains.

Root Problems 

Medford’s proximity to the ocean gives it a temperate and wet climate all year long, which is helpful for trees and other vegetation. Trees can be a beautiful and helpful addition to any yard, adding substantial property value, but their root system can cause all kinds of problems for your plumbing. Roots around your pipes or septic systems can apply steady pressure on them as they grow outward, eventually leading to cracks or full breaks.

In many cases, it’s possible to preserve your plumbing and ensure the health and safety of the tree whose roots are interfering with your pipes. We will do everything we can to tackle the problem at its source and prevent root problems from regularly causing you headaches. 

Low Water Pressure

Having low water pressure may not seem like that big of an inconvenience until you deal with it yourself. Low water pressure can make it difficult to remove shampoo and conditioner from your hair, wash the soap off your body, and thoroughly wash your dishes. It can also make other appliances, like washing machines, less efficient and use more water than they otherwise would. 

Low water pressure sometimes occurs because of hard water that builds up in pipes or on fixtures, reducing water flow. It can also happen because of old fixtures and pipes that run less efficiently or because of clogs somewhere in your plumbing system. There are several strategies we can use to fix low water pressure in your home or business depending upon the source of the problem, and we will work to ensure you don’t have to deal with these issues often. 

Clogged Drains

Sinks or bathtubs that collect water are likely caused by clogged drains. Clogged drains can occur when hair, grease, body care products, and other matter collect within a pipe, and restrict or completely prevent water draining. The day after Thanksgiving is actually the busiest day of the year for plumbers because of food being incorrectly disposed of down drains, leading to clogs in the kitchen that can affect the plumbing in the rest of the house. 

Mild clogs may allow some water to get through, so your fixtures may just be slow to empty. Other, more severe clogs can lead to complete blockages, so water doesn’t budge after it collects. Clogs that are severe enough may even lead to water or sewage coming out of a different pipe fixture. Trust us, you definitely don’t want sewage emerging from your shower drain or kitchen sink. 

How Does the Water in Medford Affect Your Plumbing?

Medford residents are lucky enough to receive much of their water from the Big Butte Springs in the winter months, and some from the Rogue River in the summer months. Water from these supplies is considered soft, so Medford residents that are connected to city water don’t have to worry as much about hard water negatively affecting their plumbing or appliances. 

If your water supply comes from groundwater wells or other comparable sources, your water may be considered hard. Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, which come from rocks and soil and leech into a groundwater supply. Hard water can lead to mineral buildup that clogs pipes, corrodes parts on appliances, and makes detergents and soaps not work as well. Plus, hard water can lead to dry skin and hair, and it can make your home use water less efficiently, leading to more wasted water and higher water bills.

Our plumbers can take a look at your home’s water system and determine the next steps if an intervention is needed. Fixing hard water is often as easy as installing a water softening system that uses water soften salts to exchange hard ions with softer ones. It may not feel like a worthy investment at first, but having a dependable water softening system can actually pay for itself in increased water efficiency, fewer plumbing and appliance problems that require repairs, and a reduced need for heavy-duty cleaning products to clear away soap scum and other hard-water residues. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Medford?

The average cost for plumbing services in Medford is about $423, though your final bill can be much higher or much lower depending upon numerous factors. Our plumbers typically charge an hourly rate, somewhere between $60-$150 per hour, but we sometimes charge a flat fee based on the type of job you are looking at. In the end, though, the three biggest factors that come into play when determining your final bill are the size of the job, what type of special equipment is needed if any, and how long it will take to complete the task. 

Cost Factor: Size of Job

Small leaks underneath your sink can likely be fixed relatively easily, so jobs like these will cost you much less. If, on the other hand, it is found that the leak under your sink is due to a much larger problem that will require a complete overhaul on your home’s piping system, you will definitely be looking at a bigger bill. The larger the job ends up being, the more you can expect to pay. Unfortunately, some jobs that seem small may end up being much bigger, and it’s rarely the opposite case. 

Cost Factor: Equipment Needed

Some jobs will require little more than a couple of wrenches and washers, but others may need more complex or heavy-duty equipment. If, for example, your underground pipes or sewage system are experiencing problems, our plumbers may have to call in other staff members and rent gear to dig up your yard. When extra equipment is needed to complete a job, those expenses will be passed onto you. 

Cost Factor: Time Needed

Clogs in your sink or tub might not take more than an hour to fix, but refitting all the pipes in your home or getting a new water heater installed will take much longer. Whether our plumbers charge an hourly rate or fixed rate, labor is always built into the total cost.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Medford?

Better plumbing can save you money no matter where you live, especially when you upgrade to a newer system made from better materials. Older pipes are often lined with zinc, and this can corrode over time, leading to leaks, less water efficiency, and more plumbing repairs needed. Opting for newer, better piping in your home can seem like an unnecessary investment to many at first. However, spending a bit of extra money on higher-quality plumbing upfront can truly save you money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent plumbing repairs and reducing your home’s water usage for a significantly lower utility bill every month. It can also increase the value of your home! 

Medford residents can also save money with better plumbing through the city’s rebate program. In order to encourage residents to conserve water, The Medford Water Commission provides rebates of up to $85 when you replace an older toilet with a new WaterSense certified model. Making the switch to a more efficient toilet can save gallons of water per flush, so it’s a fantastic investment all around!

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

For most plumbing and water concerns, it will be up to you to hire our plumbers to take a look and address the problem. This is especially true if pipes are leaking, or if you notice clogs within your house or on your property.

The exceptions to this rule are when there are leaks or clogs on public property. If you see a fire hydrant leaking or sewage backing up into the street, for example, Medford Water Commission will handle that particular issue. If you see a water emergency outside of normal business hours, you can call their after-hours emergency line at 541-779-7611. For non-emergency issues, you can also fill out their online contact form.

You will also need to contact the Medford Water Commission if you have questions about your water bill, or if you need to start or stop water service. Otherwise, chances are good that you will need to hire our plumbers to deal with your plumbing concerns. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Medford?

In Medford, the only time you need to apply for a plumbing permit is when you are having new plumbing installed or you are remodeling existing plumbing fixtures or piping. In these cases, you have to apply for a plumbing permit, and these projects must be done by a plumber that is licensed in the state of Oregon. Luckily, all of our plumbers are adequately licensed and ready to help!

You won’t need a plumbing permit when you will have “ordinary plumbing repairs” done on your home. These types of repairs typically include fixing clogged drains, repairing or replacing leaky fixtures, or replacing broken pipes. Our plumbers will know which jobs require a permit and which ones won’t, and they can even help you fill out permit paperwork if you have any questions or aren’t sure how to proceed.