Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Orem?
- 2 How Does the Water In Orem Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Orem?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Orem?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Orem Vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Orem?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Orem?
We often see similar types of plumbing issues across the country, but each city has its unique quirks. Here are some of the more common plumbing problems you may encounter in Orem.
Clogged Pipes
Clogged pipes are incredibly common throughout Utah. Most frequently, they result from improper waste disposal such as grease or large food remnants going down the kitchen drain. Grease can congeal within pipes, resulting in clogs and slow drainage. Items such as drain screens can drastically reduce rates of clogged pipes, preventing larger food items from going down the drain. Additionally, the hard water in Orem leaves mineral build-up on the insides of your pipes, limiting how much waste can go down and contributing to clogs and slow drains. Regular maintenance is also important, and our plumbers can help you resolve minor problems before they escalate.
Low Water Pressure
Pipes can begin to erode and function less effectively over time. In Orem, this erosion is most commonly caused in older homes with pipes made from galvanized steel. Galvanized steel is coated in zinc, which is less durable than more modern pipe materials. Corroded zinc can begin clogging the plumbing system, resulting in low water pressure.
Additionally, the mineral deposits in your pipes from the hard water in Orem can cause blockages that cause low water pressure.
Outdated Pipes
While there are modern homes in Orem, many homes are older and may contain outdated pipes. In addition to the galvanized pipes we just discussed, older homes may also be equipped with clay, cast iron, or polybutylene pipes. Homes built in Orem before 1986 may even have lead pipes, which can cause health issues if left unchecked. If your pipes are a dull gray and can be easily scratched or if you have discolored water or frequent leaks, you may have lead pipes. While failing or outdated pipes can be frustrating, your home can be repiped to resolve the majority of these issues.
Leaks
Leaks may seem like a minor inconvenience, but if ignored they can result in significant problems. Continual moisture creates a prime environment for mold and mildew and may result in structural damage. Leaks are also expensive, raising your water bill over time.
Unfortunately, leaks are more common in Orem than in many other areas because the hard water corrodes pipes and fixtures more rapidly than softer water would.
How Does the Water In Orem Affect Your Plumbing?
The city of Orem sources its water from a variety of different locations including the Deer Creek Reservoir, the Provo River, and the Jordanelle Reservoir. All surface water is treated at the Don A. Christianson Regional Water Treatment Plant. The city also has several wells where it sources its groundwater. Although city officials acknowledge that Orem’s water doesn’t taste particularly good, it is completely safe to drink.
Despite being safe to drink, however, the water in Orem may still harm your plumbing system. This is because the water in this region is very hard. Hard water is the result of large amounts of calcium and magnesium, which are healthy to consume but aren’t so great for your pipes. This type of water can cause visible mineral buildup anywhere that it frequently touches such as showerheads, faucets, and even coffee pots. Mineral buildup often gets worse when water is heated. To reduce the prevalence of these issues, it is best not to set your water heater to higher than 120° F.
Visible scaling is unsightly, but you will often be able to remove it using vinegar. However, when mineral buildup occurs in your piping system, it can cause low water pressure, ultimately leading to equipment failures. Hard water can also cause soap scum, itchy skin, and dull hair, as it is not as effective at rinsing soap away.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Orem?
On average, plumbing prices in Orem are around $380. Simpler problems may cost under $100 to resolve, while more complex problems can cost $600 or more. How much you can expect to pay for our plumbing service depends on many different factors.
Material Costs
The price of materials will always have an impact on plumbing expenses. However, living in Orem, you may be particularly likely to encounter higher material costs. This is because older homes in this city are more likely to experience pipe corrosion and require repiping. Replacing outdated plumbing systems with more modern materials can have a higher upfront cost, but will ultimately save money over time, as you will experience fewer plumbing issues.
Urgency
Contacting our plumbers at the first sign of a problem is a good way to lower your plumbing costs. We can perform inspections and help you detect and resolve problems before they turn into major issues. Leaky pipes, corrosion, and low water pressure may not seem hugely significant at first, but these problems can rapidly build, resulting in burst pipes, mold, and other expensive problems. Plumbing emergencies require rapid response times and can result in significant structural damage that will ultimately be much pricier to repair.
Complexity of the Plumbing Issue
Simple problems such as clogged drains can be resolved quickly and easily. They do not require unusual materials or plumbing parts and will therefore be much more affordable to fix. The larger and more complex the problem is, the higher the overall cost will be. Our plumberß may need to spend significant amounts of time identifying the source of the issue and may even need to order specialty parts to resolve it.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Orem?
Better plumbing can always save you money and is an excellent thing to invest in. Living in Orem, one step you can take is to install a water softener system in your home. The hard water in your area can cause significant amounts of aggravation, both in your plumbing system and personal life. After all, no one wants soap residue on their skin and hair. A water softener is an investment that can protect your entire plumbing system as it will reduce the prevalence of mineral buildup within your piping. This results in increased water pressure and an overall improvement in the lifespan of your plumbing system.
If you live in an older home, you might also consider having our plumbers inspect your pipes to make sure they aren’t outdated. Upgrading your pipes may seem like a hassle, but this type of preventative maintenance can save you a significant amount of time and money in the future and will result in a notable improvement in the functioning of your plumbing system.
Overall, regardless of the type of issue you are experiencing, the most important step you can take is to hire our skilled plumbers to help you resolve it. Inexperienced plumbers may ultimately end up costing you more money as they may not have the skills to properly fix the problem. Instead, they might end up making it worse, until you can hire a more experienced plumber like us to properly resolve the damage.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Orem Vs Hire a Plumber?
Most frequently, if you are experiencing plumbing issues in your home, you will need to contact our plumbers. The water utility company can help deal with larger structural issues within the water system. You may need to contact your water utility company if you notice any of the following:
- Water is no longer flowing to your home.
- Multiple people in your neighborhood are experiencing problems with water flow.
- You notice a leak that is not coming from your own water lines.
In these cases, you can contact the City rather than a plumber. During regular work hours in Orem, call 801-229-7500 to report a problem. If you are experiencing a water emergency outside of work hours, call the emergency line at 801-229-7070.
For standard plumbing issues on your property, however, you will need to contact us. Problems that may require the help of our plumbers include:
- Clogged drains
- Burst pipes
- Running toilets
- Low water pressure
- Leaks that are coming from your own water lines
You’ll notice that leaks are on both of these lists. Who you should call depends on whether the leak is coming from your water line or not. Luckily, figuring out whether the leak is coming from your home is a fairly straightforward process. Simply turn off all the water within your home and take a look at your water meter. If the meter is continuing to turn, this means that the leak is within your water lines and you will need to contact us for assistance. However, if the meter stops turning once you turn off all your water, you’ll know that your pipes are not leaking. In this case, the problem is on the water company’s lines and you can feel confident in contacting them to report the leak.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Orem?
In Orem, you will need a permit for any type of major plumbing work, including new installations outdoors, as well as the replacement of lines. Indoors, you will need a permit to install or replace your water heater or boiler. You will also need a permit for any type of structural work requiring major alterations to your plumbing system. However, you will not need a permit for simple repairs or maintenance.
If you are unsure whether your plumbing service will require a permit, it is best to check with the City before proceeding. You can call 801-229-7060 to get in touch with a member of the Building Safety Division, who will be able to answer your questions and ensure that you are aware of any permits you may need.
