Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Fairfax?
- 2 How Does the Water in Fairfax Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Fairfax?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Fairfax?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Fairfax Vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Fairfax?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Fairfax?
Fairfax, Virginia is another one of those towns across America with a rich history, diverse culture, and plumbing issues brought on from it. Seriously though, the most common plumbing problem that we see occurring the most frequently is the aging infrastructure of old cast iron pipes in the old plumbing systems of Fairfax. When our government decided to declare certain places as historical landmarks that did nothing to protect old plumbing systems that are failing at an exponential rate.
That would be the biggest problem in the greater Fairfax area. Then, there are the same types of plumbing issues that you see pretty much everywhere you go. Things like:
- Leaking faucets in kitchens and bathrooms
- Leaking toilets
- Toilets that constantly run
- Hard water and scaly buildup on faucet openings and showerheads
- Water heater problems, either leaking or not heating (could be an electrical issue and a plumbing issue, as well)
To say that these are common plumbing issues just doesn’t quite sound right. These are the issues that we at Mr. Blue Plumbing see the most frequently. If you have any of these problems, contact Mr. Blue Plumbing as soon as you can, because most issues with regard to leaks can cost you a small fortune on water wasted when your next water utility bill comes around. Fix those leaks, save a few bucks. It’s just that simple.
How Does the Water in Fairfax Affect Your Plumbing?
According to the latest water analysis for the City of Fairfax, Virginia, the water quality for the reporting period of 2020 was considered to be above average for the standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. That being said, there were listed in that analysis of certain additives put in the Fairfax water supply that are intended to boost its water quality but could have a long-term effect on aging cast iron plumbing, and to some degree, newer PVC and CPVC plumbing systems.
While these additives are perfectly safe as far as human consumption goes, their fine, particulate form could cause plumbing systems to begin leaking from prolonged exposure. Then, there is also the lead issue. It seems that no matter where you go in the United States, the number one concern for the drinking water supply is that of lead content. All water contains lead to some degree, and certain negligible amounts of lead will not harm the human body. There was lead found in the Fairfax water analysis report, but the amount is considered to be of no harm.
You can read the water analysis report for the City of Fairfax in its entirety at this link.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Fairfax?
The only thing worse than a plumbing problem is having to pay for a plumbing problem. The City of Fairfax has its fair share of plumbing problems, but as a whole, this city paid, on average, quite a bit less than the national averages for plumbing repairs. That is exactly what we are going to take a look at here:
- Average low cost for a plumbing repair in Fairfax, VA – $96
- Average high cost for a plumbing repair in Fairfax, VA – $695
- Average price paid for a plumbing repair in Fairfax, VA – $395
Those numbers above also included things like:
- Average labor costs in Fairfax, VA
- Average costs for material/equipment
- Misc. Fees for site prep, components, clean-up
Those numbers above do not include things like:
- Permits/Inspections for a Fairfax plumbing project
- Materials/supplies Virginia state sales taxes
- Material/supplies Fairfax City sales taxes
Now, let’s look at some contributing factors that can also affect how much your Fairfax plumbing project will cost.
Cost Factor: Size and Scope of Your Fairfax Plumbing Project
It all depends on exactly what your plumbing problem is. Obviously, if you have a simple leaking faucet or a burst water line that is under your concrete driveway, they are not going to cost the same. That being said, sometimes, the smaller problems carry a bigger price tag because of their accessibility.
Cost Factor: How Long is the Plumbing Team Going to Be at Your Home?
Again, this falls under the above heading of size and scope of your plumbing repair. If you are having your whole house replumbed it is probably going to take a few days as opposed to the leaking toilet that was repaired in under an hour. Our professional plumbers will tell you their reasonable rates up front to help avoid unexpected bills. Our plumbers’ rates are high because of the amount of education and ongoing certifications they must maintain in order to be a professional plumber. You get exactly what you pay for when you choose a highly qualified professional plumber like the ones here at Mr. Blue Plumbing.
Cost Factor: Demolition and/or Reconstruction
If you have a leak inside a wall in your home that has been slowly accumulating over the past year or so, there will be charges for the demolition and subsequent reconstruction. It’s like the old saying, “If you want to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs!” Well, if you want to repair a leaking pipe, you might have to break a few pieces of sheetrock in the process.
These are just a few of the issues that can cause your plumbing repair cost to increase or decrease according to just how severe it really is. And, do not forget that if your plumbing problem happens after hours, on the weekend, or on a holiday, our plumber will be charging his or her after-hours, weekends, or holiday rates. Plumbing problems never happen at an opportune time. It’s just one of those things you have to deal with.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Fairfax?
Yes, better plumbing is going to pay for itself if you have had a lot of plumbing repairs lately. For instance, if our plumber has been out to your home to repair leaks in your main water supply line, it is going to save you money in those repair bills to have the entire water supply line replaced. New line, no leaks, no repairs.
If you are looking for ways to save on your monthly water bill, try this: upgrade all of your plumbing fixtures (toilets and faucets both in the kitchen and bathroom) to the new Water Sense plumbing fixtures that you can find at your local plumbing supply store or your local home improvement center. These fixtures can be found by their identifying logo on the packaging. When you upgrade to this newer, more efficient fixture, you are going to save money on your water bill as these fixtures are designed to use 20% less water. Less water means a lower water bill. Upgrade today with Water Sense fixtures.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Fairfax Vs Hire a Plumber?
When the magnitude of your plumbing project gets to the point where the water utility company needs to be involved, our plumbers will work in unison with the water company, and you shouldn’t have to intervene in any way. However, there may be times when you need to seek the advice of the water utility company about your plumbing issue.
If you have any questions regarding your Fairfax plumbing project that might involve the water company serving the greater Fairfax area, check on the Fairfax, Virginia website for the list of things that either do or do not classify as needing a permit. If your Fairfax plumbing project is a simple leak fix, toilet replacement, or the likes of, then you will probably not need a permit, just a thorough professional plumber like Mr. Blue Plumbing to do the job right.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Fairfax?
If your Fairfax plumbing project is going to require you to get a plumbing permit, and you already know that you are going to need one, you can speed up the plumbing permit process by downloading and printing the plumbing permit application. By doing this in advance, you are going to save time, and time as we all know, is like a toddler in a tiara… short and precious!
If you are having a plumbing repair performed, and you just are not really sure if you need a permit or not, you can get a lot of valuable information regarding the need for permits by accessing the City of Fairfax website and looking at their permit applications page. There you will find the answers to those questions with regard to the need for permits for your plumbing project here in the greater Fairfax area.
Again, our experts will keep you up to speed on what plumbing repairs will need a permit and which ones will not. They may even tell you to leave all the permits as well as the fees for the permits up to them. We will pay for all of your permit and inspection fees up front, but those charges will be reflected in your final bill.
