AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Maryville, TN

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Maryville?

Frozen Pipes

Although Maryville is warm in the summer, temperatures can rapidly fall below freezing once winter comes. When homes do not have good insulation, these sudden temperature drops can result in frozen pipes. If not immediately dealt with, frozen pipes may burst, resulting in major damage and expensive repairs. Pipes attached to outdoor faucets are particularly prone to freezing and should always be drained and shut off before the winter months.

Sewer Drain Line Blockages

This type of problem is most commonly caused by tree roots, and Maryville boasts an abundance of trees, making sewer drain line blockages common. As they grow and seek out moisture, these roots will often come into contact with your sewer line. This may cause blockages or ruptures. Your plumber can help you rapidly respond to this problem by inspecting your lines, determining the underlying cause of the issue, and repairing or replacing the line.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are incredibly common and are typically caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, or grease. Since the water in Maryville is fairly hard, mineral buildup in pipes can also cause clogged drains. Fortunately, while this type of issue can be frustrating, it is fairly easy to resolve. You can also take preventative measures to reduce your risk of clogged drains. Installing drain screens and refraining from pouring oil down your kitchen sink are two of the best steps you can take to keep your drains clear.

How Does the Water in Maryville Affect Your Plumbing?

The city of Maryville sources its water from Tellico Lake. Because this is surface water rather than groundwater, it undergoes thorough treatment to remove potential contaminants such as pesticides, stormwater runoff, and domestic wastewater discharges. Your water is also regularly tested to ensure that it continues to meet EPA guidelines.

In Maryville, the water is considered slightly hard. Hard water is any water that contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium. The higher the levels of these minerals, the harder the water becomes. Hard water can cause significant plumbing issues, including mineral buildup on your pipes. 

Fortunately, although Maryville’s water is slightly hard, the levels of calcium and magnesium are not high enough to cause significant issues. If you begin to notice scaling on your showerhead or faucets, this may indicate an increase in water hardness, and you should be on the lookout for clogged pipes or reduced water pressure. Otherwise, the water in Maryville should not have a significant impact on your plumbing system.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Maryville?

Average plumbing costs in Maryville generally hover around $400. However, these prices can be significantly higher or lower, depending on the type of plumbing issue that you are experiencing. Here are a few of the factors that may influence your plumbing costs.

Standard Maintenance Vs Emergency Repairs

Whenever possible, it is best to contact a plumber at the first sign of a problem. Although it’s easy to overlook smaller issues, it often doesn’t take much for a seemingly small problem to escalate into a plumbing emergency. If contacted early enough, your plumber can help you identify the cause of the problem and resolve it before it gets worse. This will result in a quicker and more affordable visit.

However, emergency repairs can be significantly more expensive. This sort of plumbing problem requires a rapid response time, and your plumber may need to order special parts to properly resolve the issue. Emergencies like this can also result in mold and mildew, as well as structural damage to your home. Fixing these problems adds even more costs.

Cost of the Materials

Another factor that can influence the cost of plumbing is what type of material your plumber needs to use. Basic repairs will often require more affordable materials that your plumber already has on hand. However, if you have an older plumbing system or are experiencing a more unique problem, your plumber may need to use more expensive materials to resolve the issue. While this can be frustrating, the bright side is that expensive materials are of higher quality and last longer, meaning that you are less likely to experience further plumbing issues.

Size of the Project

Standard maintenance is generally quick, easy, and convenient for everyone. These smaller jobs are more affordable, as they do not require extensive amounts of time and materials. If you have a larger plumbing issue, it may take more time to resolve and will therefore be more expensive.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Maryville?

Yes, better plumbing can always save you money. Hiring an experienced plumber to perform preventative maintenance is one of the best steps you can take to save money and keep your plumbing system functioning well for years to come. Preventative maintenance inspections are incredibly thorough. Your plumber will check several things including your water pressure, water flow, drainage, and pipes.

This type of inspection doesn’t just help you prevent issues before they arise; it can also help you identify areas where you could be saving money every day. For example, we can examine your dishwasher, washing machine, and other similar appliances to determine whether they are running efficiently. If we discover an issue, we can offer guidance on how you can improve the efficiency of your equipment, which will reduce water wastage and lower your utility bill.

The surprising secret benefit of preventative maintenance is improved air quality. If you have leaks that you were unaware of or if equipment such as your sump pump is not functioning effectively, your home may begin to develop mold or mildew, reducing air quality. Regular maintenance removes this issue, making the air in your home cleaner and reducing the risk of health problems caused by breathing mold.

This type of inspection can also be customized to respond to issues that you are likely to face in your specific location. When performing preventative maintenance in Maryville, for example, we focus heavily on ensuring that your system is equipped to handle the sudden freezing temperatures that we expect in the winter months. Focusing on pipe insulation and shutting off pipes that connect to outdoor faucets are vital ways to reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes.

Prioritizing this type of maintenance may seem like a minor detail, but it will save you huge amounts of time and money down the road. Working with a skilled plumber, you will always be informed about potential issues and you can resolve or even fully prevent plumbing problems before they become frustrating and expensive.

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

For most regular plumbing issues, it is unlikely that you will need to contact the water utility company. Generally, your water utility company will be the one to handle larger systemic problems, while your plumber will take care of any issues you are experiencing in your home or on your property. However, there are certainly times when you may need to contact your local water department.

When and How to Contact the Maryville Water and Sewer Department

You will want to contact the water and sewer department for significant water flow issues like if water completely stops flowing to your home. This is particularly true if your neighbors are experiencing similar issues, as this indicates a larger problem within the water lines.

Additionally, you should contact the City if you notice a leak on your property that is not coming from your water lines. To check if the leak is coming from your pipes, simply turn off all the water in your home and take a look at your water meter. If the meter is still turning despite all the water being off, this means that the leak is coming from one of your pipes and you will need to contact a plumber to help resolve the issue. If, on the other hand, the water meter stops turning but the leak continues, you will know that it is not coming from your pipes. In this case, you should contact the water utility company.

For emergency services during business hours, you can call the Maryville Water and Sewer Department at (865) 273-3300. If you are experiencing a water emergency overnight or on the weekend, contact the 24/7 line at (865) 982-7990.

When to Contact a Plumber

If you are experiencing a standard plumbing issue on your property, a plumber will be the one who can help you resolve it. Problems that may warrant a plumber include:

• Leaks coming from your water lines
• Burst pipes
• Running toilets
• Broken water heaters
• Low water pressure
• Clogged drains

A good rule of thumb is to contact a plumber for problems that are only impacting your home and to contact the water utility company for large problems that are impacting multiple people or that do not appear to be the result of a failure within your plumbing system.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Maryville?

If you will be installing, enlarging, or replacing any part of your plumbing system, you will require a permit before doing so. Basic maintenance and repairs will not require a permit. If you are unsure whether you will need a permit for the type of work you plan to do, it is a good idea to contact the City before beginning. You can call (865) 273-3500 to get in touch with the Maryville Development Services Department which will be able to offer personalized guidance.