AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Johnson City, TN

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Johnson City?

Johnson City is located in east Tennessee and is known for its outdoor activities, especially at Winged Deer Park, which offers boating and disc golf, or Buffalo Mountain Park, which is filled with beautiful trails and incredible views. Yet, although the sites and Southern charm bring tourists and residents to the area, Johnson City is not without its issues, especially when it comes to the plumbing. 

The more common plumbing problems the area often has to deal with is often brought about by the water quality, which is hard. These common plumbing troubles tend to include the following:

Mineral Buildup and Clogs

Mineral buildup inside of pipes happens because of excess minerals in our water. The excess minerals get deposited as water continues to flow through your pipes. This happens over time. Eventually, the buildup will lead to a restriction in water flow, and will lead to other issues. 

Hard water can also negatively affect drains and fixtures when mixed with household products like detergent, soap, and shampoo. As these go down drains, residue can form, causing your drains to become sluggish or even stop altogether.

Low Water Pressure

If you begin noticing that the water coming out of your taps or showers is less than before, then you have a water pressure issue. If it comes out as a trickle, it is likely that you have a severe water pressure problem. Typically, these pressure issues happen when there are deposits in the aerators or pipes or there is a pipe leak that prevents water from making its way to the faucet. However, over time, if these issues are not fixed, they can stop the water from flowing entirely and escalate the problem into something incredibly difficult to control.

Malfunctioning Appliances 

Hard water can negatively affect appliances that use water, like washing machines, dishwashers, and heaters, because sediment gets left inside the appliance itself. This causes appliances to work harder, which makes them use more energy while being less efficient. 

In the case of water heaters, sediment due to Johnson City’s hard water builds up inside and increases the time it takes for water to heat up. Afterwards, the sediment prevents heat from escaping quickly, which may cause it to overheat.

Old Piping Systems

Aging pipes, which are common since Johnson City has many older houses, can cause several issues that include drain buildups, pipe leaks, and pipe backups. However, worse yet, they can also lead to various safety and health issues that can result when the pipes corrode away and cause heavy metals to be released into the water. That is why homeowners in Johnson City need to get their pipes regularly inspected to ensure they remain in proper working order, especially since the average age of the homes in the area is close to 40 years old. 

How Does the Water in Johnson City Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Johnson City is provided from the Unicoi Springs and the Watauga River. The Watauga and Unicoi plants treat this water using filtration and disinfection to remove or reduce harmful contaminants in the source water. Yet, although the water is safe to drink, most homes in Northeast Tennessee have water that has an exceptionally high mineral count, often referred to as hard water. Unfortunately, hard water has been known to negatively impact a lot around the house, including the fixtures, appliances, clothing, and plumbing.

In fact, continuous exposure to this water can result in damaged washers and seals, valve blockages, and ruined finishes. In worse-case scenarios, this hard water can cause a buildup of limescale inside the pipes that can lead to costly plumbing repairs or significant inefficiencies. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Johnson City?

In Johnson City, the average plumbing costs are around $370. However, they can be lower or significantly higher depending on the plumbing that needs to be done. This is because there are a number of issues that can influence the overall costs of a plumbing repair project, and it is vital that homeowners understand these factors so that they can be better prepared to handle the resulting plumbing bills. 

Emergency Plumbing Services 

If you require emergency plumbing services, the costs involved will often be much higher than a standard repair visit. Yet, do not let these costs deter you from getting this plumbing work done, as many times, a plumbing emergency can result in disastrous consequences. Fortunately, getting the issue taken care of quickly can help prevent extensive water damage to your home. 

In comparison, if your plumbing work does not require emergency services, the costs will depend on the plumbing work that needs to be completed. For instance, a clogged drain or a leaky faucet will cost much less than replacing a new water heater. 

The Complexity of the Plumbing Job

Another factor you need to be aware of is the difficulty of the plumbing job. For example, common plumbing mishaps such as leaky pipes, clogged drains, and running toilets are often taken care of quickly. However, if the work involved includes a major plumbing overhaul, the cost of the plumbing can get incredibly expensive as it will often take us many hours to complete the job and require intricate plumbing parts that can raise the overall cost of the plumbing work.

Unique Plumbing Parts

If your plumbing issue involves one of the more common plumbing problems, it is likely that we will have the required parts to quickly fix the job without needing to order any additional fixtures, material, or tools. Yet, if the job is more complex and requires unique plumbing pieces, then the overall cost of the job is likely to increase, as you will be responsible for paying for these costly materials, as well as the labor.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Johnson City?

Better plumbing can definitely save you money in Johnson City. For older or aging pipes, we recommend pipe replacement. Because of our water hardness, we would recommend choosing plastic over steel or copper pipes, as mineral deposits are less likely to form. Aside from that, it is the more affordable option, especially if your whole house needs replumbing.

You may also want to consider upgrading your fixtures to newer, more efficient ones. The EPA recommends investing in WaterSense-labeled products, which are certified to use at least 20% less water than regular products. Some WaterSense partners even offer rebate programs. 

Lastly, we recommend investing in a water softener that can help lengthen the life of your water fixtures and water-using appliances, such as heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.

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

No matter if you are a homeowner or a renter, if you are experiencing a water problem, it can be stressful trying to figure out whether you need to call us or the water utility company to take care of the issue. What makes this situation even more complicated is the answer will often depend on the specific situation. Fortunately, you do not have to tackle this challenging ordeal on your own. Below we have provided you with a few guidelines that will walk you through who you need to contact when you have a plumbing emergency. 

Mr Blue Plumbing

If you have water sewage backing up into your home, your toilets, showers, or sinks are not draining correctly, your water bills begin to spike, or you notice a water leak in your home, it is time to contact our team. We can quickly come to your home, figure out what the issue is, and make sure to take care of the dilemma before it escalates into a significant and costly project. 

Water Utility Company

On the other hand, if you see a water leak on your street because there was a water main break, you notice a water leak at your neighbor’s house, but nobody is home, or the water goes out in your home, then you need to immediately call the water utility company. The company is responsible for taking care of such issues and will send out a contractor to figure out what the problem is and get it resolved fast. Plus, they can keep you updated about the outages in your area and when the water will be turned back on.

That is why if you see a main water line break or have a water quality concern, contact Johnson City Water and Sewer Services at 423-461-1645 to speak with a representative and get the help you need. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Johnson City?

In Johnson City, the Building Division is responsible for accepting and reviewing plans for all construction phases in the city, including building, gas, mechanical, site, fire, electrical, and plumbing. This also applies to all commercial developments and new residential developments, as well as repairs, additions, and renovations. 

A permit will often be issued to a bonded and licensed contractor for each phase of the construction after an inspector reviews the plan and approves it. Depending on the project, the Building Division may also conduct a required inspection throughout the construction project. However, once the process is complete, they will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

Yet, because these plumbing permits are specific to the work that needs to be done, it is important that before you get any plumbing repaired, replaced, or installed, you contact the city to verify whether a permit is necessary. If it is, make sure you confirm with the inspector what is required in order to obtain this plumbing permit.