Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Everett?
- 2 How Does the Water in Everett Affect Your Plumbing?
- 3 How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Everett?
- 4 Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Everett?
- 5 When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Everett Vs Hire a Plumber?
- 6 When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Everett?
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Everett?
The plumbing issues we most frequently encounter in Everett are largely related to the weather. On average, the contiguous United States gets approximately 30 inches of rainfall every year. Everett gets more than twice that, with an annual rainfall of approximately 68 inches. As such, it is not uncommon for people to run into plumbing problems when their systems become overwhelmed by heavy precipitation. This becomes a particular problem when storm drains become blocked over time, as it will eventually result in flooding.
Heavy rain may also lead to burst pipes in some cases. As the clay-rich soil around your home becomes saturated with water, it begins to shift and grow heavier. This puts additional pressure on your underground pipes, which can result in ruptures. Pipes may also burst as a result of colder temperatures in the winter months.
Finally, we often receive calls regarding sump pump failures after heavy rainfall. A sump pump sits in your basement or crawl space, and its role is to pump water out of your home. If this device gets overloaded from heavy rain or flooding, it can malfunction and stop properly pumping water. This may lead to flooding, extensive water damage, and mold growth.
How Does the Water in Everett Affect Your Plumbing?
Everett sources its water from the Spada Lake Reservoir, which is located 30 miles east of the city and is part of the Upper Sultan River Watershed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is one of the wettest watersheds in the nation, and county officials monitor it constantly to ensure that it maintains its high quality. While it does contain minor impurities, the drinking water here fully meets EPA safety requirements.
However, the city does note that upon testing, the water in some homes showed trace amounts of lead or copper. The level of these contaminants was even lower before the water entered the homes in question, indicating that the problem lies within older lead or copper pipes in some homes. As of 2019, the traces of lead and copper were still low enough to comply with EPA regulations. However, if you have concerns, a plumber can inspect your pipes for safety.
The main way that water may impact your plumbing is if it is very hard. Hard water contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium, which can create solid mineral deposits within your system and ultimately lead to blocked pipes. Fortunately, Everett has fairly soft water. This means that it should not have a negative impact on your plumbing system.
How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Everett?
On average, homeowners in Everett can expect to pay approximately $524 on plumbing. This number may be slightly lower or higher, depending on several factors. While we cannot predict exactly how much a repair will cost before we examine it, here are a few things that typically influence the cost of plumbing:
Cost Factor: The Urgency of the Repair
Plumbing emergencies happen, and they require incredibly rapid response times to limit the damage as much as possible. Because this type of problem may require our plumber to arrive during off-hours, labor costs will often increase to compensate them for their time. Emergency repairs can also require larger crews or more equipment. Depending on the severity of the damage, this type of scenario may also necessitate even more extensive repairs in order to fully resolve the problem.
Cost Factor: Cost of Materials
While the urgency of the job is a major contributing cost factor, the required materials will also play a significant role in the overall price. For routine jobs, our plumber will most likely have all the required materials on hand, and will not need to spend time ordering additional parts. However, certain jobs may need less common materials in which our plumber must then take extra time to source. Major upgrades will also often require higher quality, more expensive materials. These will all be factored into the final cost of the job.
Cost Factor: Simple Maintenance Vs. Extensive Repairs
The overall magnitude of the job will play a significant role in its cost. If you call in our plumbers for a small job such as a clogged drain or running toilet, it will typically be more affordable as it will not require large amounts of time or materials. Bigger jobs, such as replacing your sump pump or upgrading your piping system, will have higher overall costs.
Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Everett?
Better plumbing can absolutely save you money over time, particularly given the high costs of plumbing emergencies. Taking the time to hire our plumbers for a preventative maintenance inspection is an excellent step you can take to help reduce the risks of unforeseen problems. In Everett, one major area that our plumbers will focus on is preparing your system for heavy rainfall. During the inspection, they may check your drains for blockages such as leaves, twigs, or other debris. They are also likely to inspect your entire drainage system and can even perform a video inspection to ensure that your underground pipes are clear and in good condition.
Additionally, the significant amounts of rainfall in Everett mean that it is an excellent idea to get your sump pump regularly inspected and to upgrade it if necessary. Waiting until it fails can result in flooding and water damage, which will be much more costly to resolve. Signs that your sump pump may need to be replaced include:
- Rust
- Heavy vibration when running
- Loud noises when running
- It cycles irregularly
- It is more than seven years old
Better plumbing can also significantly reduce your water costs, particularly if you have leaks. While small leaks may seem easy enough to ignore, they can actually result in significant amounts of wasted water, which increases your water bill. If you have a faucet that drips 30 times in one minute, that adds up to nearly 130 gallons of wasted water per month and 1,576.8 gallons of wasted water per year! Improving your plumbing system to resolve these seemingly minor issues can save you large amounts of money in the long term.
When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in Everett Vs Hire a Plumber?
If you’re struggling with a plumbing problem, the last thing you want to worry about is who you should call for assistance. Fortunately, this question tends to have a fairly straightforward answer: If you are experiencing a typical plumbing issue on your own property, and your neighbors are not being similarly impacted, you will almost always need to contact us to resolve the problem.
That being said, there are a few scenarios when you should contact the water utility company for assistance. The Everett Public Works Department is responsible for larger systemic water problems, such as burst lines or sewage backups. If water has stopped flowing to your home, you will almost certainly need to reach out to the city to let them know. You should also contact the city if you experience a sudden drop in water pressure as this may indicate a burst water line. A good way to tell whether you should contact the utility company or our plumbers is to ask your neighbors if they are experiencing similar water problems. If they are, it indicates a bigger problem that the city should know about.
You should also contact Public Works if you are experiencing a leak that does not appear to be coming from your own pipes. You can determine this by shutting off all the water in your home (including appliances such as ice makers) and then taking a look at your water meter. If the meter continues turning, this means that you have a leak somewhere in your own pipes and should contact us. However, if the meter stops turning but the leak continues, this means the leak is in a public water line and you should contact the water utility company.
If you believe you are experiencing a problem that requires the assistance of Everett officials, you can contact them at (425) 257-8999.
When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Everett?
The city of Everett has fairly extensive permitting requirements for any type of residential construction, including major plumbing projects. You will not need a permit for basic repairs or maintenance. However, you will need a permit for upgrades, installations, or alterations of items such as your sump pump, pipe systems, bathtub, or roof drains. After completing the permit request, you can bring a hard copy to 3200 Cedar Street, or you can apply online for faster submission.
Fortunately, although applying for a permit can be inconvenient, plumbing permits in Everett are typically not too expensive. The base fee will be $25, and you will pay an additional $10 for every fixture that will be altered. For example, if you are upgrading your sump pump and your shower, you will pay a total of $45 for your permit request.
Permit requirements can be complex and overwhelming, particularly if you are dealing with a significant plumbing problem. If you are unsure whether or not your particular situation calls for a permit, you don’t need to wait to reach out for help. Our experts are familiar with the local regulations and will be able to offer personalized guidance. You can also reach out to the city directly by calling (425) 257-8810.
