AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Lebanon, PA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Lebanon?

If you are like most homeowners, you don’t think much about your plumbing system until something goes wrong. Plumbing systems work fine most of the time, but no plumbing system will last forever. As parts age, they start to break down and can begin to experience more issues. Weather, nearby construction, and how you care of your plumbing system will all impact how it works. Issues like leaky faucets, running toilets, and clogged shower drains can become problems in any Lebanon home. Here are the three plumbing issue we see the most in Lebanon, though: 

Frozen Pipes 

Lebanon winters can get very cold, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark for most of the winter. Exposed pipework can freeze in these temperatures, causing the water inside the pipe to expand. The expanded water can cause the pipe to burst. Burst pipes are also common in the spring. Burst pipes happen as pipes begin to thaw, especially if they thaw too quickly. The stress on the pipe’s material as it expands and contracts in the changing temperatures can cause it to break. Burst pipes are a big problem because they can release a lot of water in a very short amount of time. You’ll want to get the water shut off as quickly as possible to mitigate the potential damage to your home. Our plumbers can help with this, as well as fixing the broken length of the pipe. They can also help insulate the pipe to ensure this isn’t an issue that happens again in the next freeze. 

Invasive Roots 

There are nearly 200 species of trees growing in Pennsylvania today. While the tree canopy is essential for our city and the surrounding environment, those trees can also cause issues for your plumbing. That’s because of the roots growing around the pipes in the ground. Trees are always seeking out new sources of water underground, and your pipes are an excellent source. Roots can surround a pipe, taking advantage of cracks by sending their roots into the pipework itself. These roots can create blockages in your plumbing system, reducing your water pressure and clogging the drains. Our plumbers can verify that invasive roots are the issue, then clear them without damaging your landscaping.

Leaking Pipes

Lebanon has a long history, but unfortunately, so does a lot of the pipework in town. Many older homes have pipes made out of clay and lead, especially if they went into the ground more than 30 years ago. The lifespan of these pipes is quickly running out, which means you may start to experience more issues with your plumbing. As the older pipes crack and deteriorate, you might experience a drop in water pressure, more unexplained clogs, and an increase in your water bill. Some leaks are difficult to locate on your own, too, and could require the help of our professional plumbers to find. Replacing the pipes is often the only option, but it’s an excellent investment in your home’s plumbing system that will last for decades. 

Even in newer Lebanon homes, leaks can be prevalent. The hard water in the city leaves mineral deposits behind on the insides of your pipes and gradually corrodes plumbing fixtures, o-rings, and gaskets. All of these issues can result in leaks.

How Does the Water in Lebanon Affect Your Plumbing?

There is a significant amount of calcium carbonate in our water, at a rate of about 176 parts per million (ppm). These minerals are safe to drink. However, it does mean that, according to the USGS water hardness scale, Lebanon has hard water. That’s bad news for your plumbing. 

Hard water can leave behind mineral deposits as it moves through your plumbing system. If you’ve lived in Lebanon for a while, then you’ve probably seen evidence of this, even if you don’t know what it was. These mineral deposits can show up at white water stains on your shower door. They can also create a rigid, paper-like build-up around the end of your taps. That build-up can be even worse inside your pipes and your appliances, eventually causing blockages and breakdowns.

You can help prevent this mineral build-up from shortening your plumbing’s lifespan, though. Running a cup of white vinegar through your washing machine or dishwasher can help remove some mineral deposits. So can installing a water softener, which helps remove the remaining minerals from the water supply before it enters your home. Our plumbers can help with these suggestions and offer other tips and tricks to reduce the impact of hard water on your home’s plumbing system.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lebanon?

Whether you live in Pleasant Hill, closer to Avon, or up in Sand Hill, the cost of our plumbing services in the Lebanon area is in line with the national average. Our plumbers charge for jobs based on their labor, the cost of materials, and if it’s an emergency job. Here’s how that will affect the cost of your plumbing job: 

Labor

You can expect to pay between $100 and $900 for our plumbers’ services. They may charge you by the hour or give you a flat fee based on how long they think your job will take. The longer the job, the more you’ll have to pay for it, especially if it’s a job that requires the help of additional staff on site. Ask for a quote before starting their work, and make sure you know how much the labor cost is and includes it. 

Materials

Almost all plumbing jobs will require parts and materials. You might need a replacement float on your toilet or new piping in your historic Central Lebanon home. Our plumber will supply and fit the materials and add their cost to your final bill. Material cost can vary, though, so make sure you talk to our experts about this before they start the job. Let them know what your budget is so they can help you find the right products at the right price. 

Emergency Plumbing Work

Sometimes plumbing work can’t wait. It might be a burst pipe on a Saturday or a sewer backup at midnight. After-hours and weekend calls to our plumbers are going to cost you more. Our emergency plumbers are available 24 hours a day in Lebanon, but you’ll pay a premium for their service. The premium might be a higher hourly rate or a surcharge added to your final bill. The additional fee shouldn’t make you hesitant to call, though. Any price you pay will be less than the cost of repairing water damage in your home. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Lebanon?

An investment in your home’s plumbing system can save you money in the long run. Here is how: 

• Fewer repair bills. When you replace your home’s broken plumbing fixtures with quality parts and materials, they are going to last longer. So while you may spend a little more initially, you’ll end up paying for far fewer repairs. 
• More equity in your home.  The average price of a home in Lebanon is around $315,000, and a small investment in your plumbing could go a long way towards getting you the maximum amount for your property. If you can show potential buyers you’ve taken good care of the plumbing and used quality materials from an experienced plumber, it can help you sell your home for top dollar. 
• Less expensive monthly bills. By investing in your plumbing, not only will you reduce your monthly water bill, you’ll reduce waste, too. Pennsylvania’s residents pay a lot for their water, in part because of the population density. That means every drop counts. Old and outdated plumbing equipment can be less efficient and more prone to leaks than new equipment. Upgrading your toilets, for example, could save 13,000 gallons of water per year in your home. 

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

In general, if there is an issue with the plumbing within your property boundaries, then it’s your responsibility to fix it. You can either do this yourself or contact our plumbers to help you with it. There are some circumstances where you’d want to get the City of Lebanon Authority instead when you notice: 

• A break in the water main
• Leaks from a city-owned water or sewer line
• Leaks from a fire hydrant

If you see a plumbing issue on city-owned or public property, then you can contact the Water Quality Management department 24 hours a day to report a problem. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Lebanon?

For most plumbing work, you’ll need to get a building permit from the City of Lebanon. The plumbing work includes adding any plumbing fixtures to your home. The only time you don’t need a permit is when you are repairing or replacing an existing plumbing fixture in your home.

To get your permit, you will need: 

• A completed building permit application (available online through the City of Lebanon’s website)
• Two copies of detailed plans for review by city engineers 
• The required permit fees

Some projects may also require you to get a zoning permit. If you aren’t sure whether your plumbing project requires a permit or if you need a zoning permit, contact the City of Lebanon’s Permit Office at 717-228-4490.