AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Arlington, VA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Arlington?

Plumbing problems are common among homeowners in Arlington. A majority of the households experience issues such as:

Water Leaks

We have handled an array of water leak incidences in Arlington households. Leaks in Arlington can be caused by cracks in your piping due to change in weather. Any build-up in your piping, due to Arlington’s moderately hard water, can also contribute to this. Leaks can occur in various places within your plumbing system, such as appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, water supply pipes, sewer lines, and drainage among other areas. 

The greatest problem with water leaks is water loss that could lead to skyrocketing utility bills. Still, the water can lead to damages to your property, which leads to more costs. For instance, you may overlook a dripping faucet, but your end month bills will be enough evidence of how wasteful and costly this issue can be. You can use a drip calculator to determine the extra cost these drips will add to your bill. Homeowners can waste about 90 gallons daily in the US due to water leaks as per the Environmental Protection Agency. To avoid these costly mistakes, get in touch with our professional plumbers in Arlington to diagnose the problem.

Pipe Breaks

Breaks in pipes are common in Arlington and can happen when you least expect them. We have experienced several cases where the water mains that carry water to businesses and homes break. The problem is mainly due to the aging pipes, which constitute about 50% to 60% of the water mains in Arlington. 

Apart from age, water main breaks can also emanate from corrosion, temperature changes, or variations in water pressure. Arlington’s chilly temperatures create stress in the water and the city’s sewer infrastructure, making pipes more vulnerable to water leaks. Arlington has about 465 miles of sanitary sewer pipes and 500 miles of water mains, making it harder for the authorities to respond in time. In case you notice a break, we recommend reporting to the water and utility team immediately.

Minor breaks are easily fixed and have minimal effects but are also hard to find. If there are several of them, they may contribute to low water pressure in your property. On the other hand, large breaks can lead to floods, water shortages, or even traffic snarl-ups within the city.

Clogged or Leaking Drain

Clogged drains are also a common problem for many homeowners in Arlington, and the water, being moderately hard, doesn’t help the case. Consequently, you need to avoid any items that would go down the drain and lead to a clog in your systems, such as food particles, hair, toothpicks, and more. When this happens, most homeowners opt to use quick-fix solutions such as chemical drain cleaners. It may be a short-term solution, but you may have to deal with the same issue repeatedly. 

The most effective way to deal with clogged drains is to deal with the issue from the source. However, you’ve probably never seen your sewer drain despite being the largest drain in your house. Our plumbers in Arlington can help you diagnose the issue at the source to prevent any escalation. We always advise homeowners to take action immediately if they notice any signs of a clogged drain. If the clog is in your main sewer, it may lead to a backup from your lower floors, and it gets worse as it moves up.

Clogged Toilet

We noticed that Arlington residents experience clogged toilet issues almost all the time. Sometimes the clog is due to an issue with the flushing unit, while other times, it may be due to a water problem. However, in most cases, it’s due to careless and negligent waste disposal habits. 

Note that you should only flush human waste and genuine toilet paper. Any attempt to flush anything else is a threat to your home’s plumbing system and may also cause more problems down the sewer line. Even facial tissue, paper towels, or hygiene wipes can cause massive clogs since they don’t break down quickly.

When your toilet gets clogged, you could try using a plunger or pouring a drain cleaner to clear the mess. You could also try using a plumber’s snake to unclog the toilet if you have one. If nothing works, our professional plumbers in Arlington are at hand to help you deal with the situation. 

How Does the Water in Arlington Affect Your Plumbing?

Water in Arlington is moderately hard with a water hardness level of about 120 PPM. The amount of calcium carbonate in the water may cause minimal damages to your plumbing system. However, the continuous build-up of these elements means that you may encounter problems such as corrosion in the long run. Therefore, you can have some assessments done after some time by our qualified plumbers in Arlington.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Arlington?

Most homeowners pay an average of $385 for repairs on their plumbing system in Arlington, VA. You can pay a minimum of $95 or a cost of up to $680. The prices differ due to factors such as: 

Materials and Equipment

Every plumbing repair or replacement task requires some materials. A simple procedure such as fixing a leaking pipe will not cost you much. However, you will incur more expenses where our plumber uses special equipment to detect the issue and more items to make the repairs. 

Labor

A leak within your plumbing system may be detected behind your walls, meaning that more effort is required to make the repairs. The extra labor required in wall repairs and clean-up for the entire project will also be an added cost.

Scope of the Project

If you need some simple maintenance done on your plumbing system, this might cost you a few hundred dollars, depending on your home’s size. However, you will pay more for repairs or replacements. For instance, unclogging a drain will cost you an average of $200, while water heater installation goes up to an average of $2,000.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Arlington?

Yes, it can. By hiring us to upgrade your home’s plumbing system, you will avoid costly repairs, saving you money. Here are other ways better plumbing saves you money:

Identifying Problems Early

There is no better way to evade costly plumbing repairs or an entire replacement than identifying problems in your system early enough. The lifespan of most plumbing materials used in the main lines typically ranges from 50 to 100 years, with PVC sewer pipes getting to about 300 years. Unavoidable circumstances such as tree roots, pressure build-up, corrosion, unnatural disturbances such as new landscaping, and other damages contribute to more damages. In fact, these elements can cause damages to your plumbing system, which reduces its durability significantly.

When you hire our plumbers, we will scope the lines using a camera to detect problems in your plumbing system. This way, you will avoid unexpected costly repairs. You may have to incur about $500 per line, but the plumber will spot any early signs of a problem in your system, and you will have peace of mind knowing your plumbing system is intact.

Scheduling Maintenance

Regular checks on your plumbing system by our professional plumbers limit the chances of seeking emergency repairs. We can spot issues early enough and make the necessary replacements. Correcting some issues such as leaks in your plumbing closet or under your sink may seem pretty straightforward, but you may save up to threefold in your utility bill. Additionally, cleaning or unclogging your drains prevents costly backups that may need hydro-jetting to resolve the problem.

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

Many Arlington homeowners are unsure of whom to call when faced with various plumbing issues that affect them directly or indirectly. We particularly noted this trend among new residents who just moved into this city or those who bought new homes. Here is what we found out:

Sewer Problems

When you have a problem within your sewer system, call our professional plumbers in Arlington. We are fully licensed and insured to work on all household plumbing problems in Arlington. 

We noted that most people asked about the sewer line beyond their property. If the sewer problem affects the part between your property and the public lines, our plumbers in Arlington can help make the necessary repairs. On the other hand, the water utility company is responsible for issues on the plumbing lines for sewage and water that runs beyond your meter. 

Issues with Color or Odor in Your Water

We have received several calls in the past from homeowners in Arlington who have noticed odor or color from their tap water. While discoloration is primarily due to harmless elements, it may also mean more trouble. Therefore, it’s imperative to find out what’s causing the discoloration. 

If you live in an older home in Arlington, VA, the issue could be caused by rusty pipes, making the water yellow, orange, or red. However, if the water is bluish-green, it could indicate brass or copper in the water, which is dangerous. In this case, you can call our Arlington plumbers to make the necessary repairs.

Sometimes, the discolored water could be brown or black. Either color could be due to minerals, mold growth, or dirt in the water. You should perform a test with the help of a plumber to determine the cause and avoid drinking the water until you identify the problem. If you can still see discoloration or smell awful odor or taste in the water after the test, call the Water & Utilities Company. The issue may be beyond your plumbing system, and you could get a solution from the authorities.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Arlington?

You will need a plumbing permit in Arlington when removing, relocating, or adding piping, appliances, fixtures for any plumbing task. Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to do a fixture count. Permits that include plumbing fixtures in Arlington will also need an extra review from the Department of Environmental Services. The authorities must validate the drainage fixture units. You will also need to identify the building type while making the application because some residential areas are considered commercial properties per Arlington’s Building codes.