AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Spokane Valley, WA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Spokane Valley?

Spokane Valley is a city in Spokane County, Washington, and one of the largest suburbs of Spokane. The city is not only family-friendly, but because it’s centrally located in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene corridor, residents here can easily commute to jobs all over the region. Plus, with its gorgeous natural beauty and 260 days of sunshine every year, tourists flock from all over to experience the endless opportunities to bike, ski, hike, and enjoy the various water sports, nature trails, and parks.

Yet, even though the area is an amazing place to live, it is not without its faults, especially when it comes to the area’s plumbing. Fortunately, when residents in Spokane Valley learn more about these various plumbing issues, they can not only prevent them from happening but ensure that their plumbing is in good working order all year round. These plumbing issues often include:

Low Water Pressure Issues

There are often various signs that can indicate a water pressure problem, including dripping faucets or little water coming out of the tap. Generally, these pressure problems arise when there is air in the pipe or a clog. However, regardless of how these issues start, if a homeowner experiences a water pressure dilemma, they need to promptly call an experienced plumber to check on it before it escalates into a significant home repair project.

Slow Drainage

Another common plumbing problem results from slow drainage. Although many homeowners try to solve this problem by buying chemically based products, the solution is often short-lived. That is why to ensure that your pipes remain clear, you need to have a knowledgeable plumber check on the issue for you. 

Generally, these slow drains tend to result from mineral or debris build-up or due to the age of the pipes. For these reasons, in Spokane Valley, residents need to stay aware of this issue, as the median age of the home is over 40 years old. 

Leaky Pipes

If you notice damaged spots on the ceiling, smell mold, or see your water bill going up, it may mean that you have leaky pipes. Worse yet, there are often numerous causes for these leaky pipes, including temperature changes, corrosion, tree roots, high-water pressure, and foundation shifts. 

Sewers That Back Up

Sewer back-ups are known to create nasty messes and often leave your home smelling awful. What’s more, is that since these backups tend to occur in connection to other plumbing dilemmas such as heavy rains or clogged drains, it can mean trouble for residents in Spokane Valley. The city is known to get some kind of precipitation almost 117 days per year, with the wet season lasting from October to June. As a result, homeowners in the area need to be aware of these sewer issues so that they can ensure the problem does not escalate into expensive home damage. 

How Does the Water in Spokane Valley Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Spokane Valley comes from the Spokane Valley- Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which serves as the sole water source for most individuals in Spokane County. 

Although this water is safe to drink, it is considered to be soft, which can mean trouble for your pipes. Even though soft water is not known to create mineral build-up within the pipes, it can generate pinhole pipe leaks. This is because soft water lacks minerals, which makes it quite aggressive towards unlined metal pipes. Without these minerals, soft water tends to pull minerals out of the copper within the pipe as it travels through them and ultimately causes corrosion that will penetrate the pipe’s walls and create these pinhole leaks.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Spokane Valley?

In Spokane Valley, the overall plumbing costs will often depend on numerous factors including the contractor’s hourly rate. Generally, most plumbers in the city charge anywhere between $60 and $65 per hour for standard pipe repair work and up to $95 per hour for more complicated plumbing work. 

Yet, even though these prices can give you a general idea of the average costs, they will not tell you the whole story since there are several factors that can impact the total plumbing bill. 

The Overall Labor Costs and the Services That Are Needed

One of the most significant cost factors affecting the plumbing bill is the labor. For instance, if you require emergency plumbing services, you may need to contact a plumber to come as soon as possible. However, if you require this type of service, you can expect to pay quite a bit of money for the work. Yet, do not let these costs stop you from getting the job done. If you require emergency plumbing services, it is often necessary to have these plumbers come out quickly to prevent substantial water damage to your home, including mold and rot. 

On the other hand, if you do not require emergency plumbing work, the plumbing costs will depend on the specific work that needs to be completed. For example, if you have a leaky pipe, it will be less costly than having a water heater installed. 

The Parts That Need To Be Replaced

Typically, most plumbing jobs are quick fixes, especially for skilled plumbers. This means that these plumbers will often have the required materials needed to fix these plumbing issues fast. Yet, if the job involves more complex work, the plumber may require more intricate parts and materials. In these instances, the plumbing bill will likely increase, as you will not only have to pay for the labor but for the expensive parts as well. 

The Complexity of the Plumbing Work

Unfortunately, not all plumbing jobs are a quick fix. Some of these jobs require a substantial amount of hours to complete, even with the most skilled plumbers. For instance, if you need a major plumbing overhaul or have a significant pipe leak, these jobs can take weeks to complete. This can mean that the overall price of the plumbing project will cost you a considerable amount of money. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Spokane Valley?

If you need a plumber in Spokane Valley, all you need to do is look up plumbers in the area and you will have a list of names at your disposal. However, just because finding a plumber is easy, it does not mean that these plumbers will be capable of completing the work that you need to be done.

In fact, if you hire an inexperienced plumber who lacks the skills to take on your extensive plumbing work, you can be left with numerous issues and extensive plumbing bills for work that was not completed properly. Worse yet, you will now have the hassle of finding a new plumber who has the experience to take on these old and new plumbing issues. 

That is why it is best not to leave your plumbing work to just anyone. Rather, you need to do your research and find an experienced Spokane Valley plumber that can ensure your plumbing job is done correctly the first time around. 

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

Most homeowners are not ready to take on water emergencies, let alone know what they are supposed to do in these stressful situations. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about these water problems any longer. We have prepared the below tips in hopes of providing you the information you need to know to understand exactly who you need to call the next time you have a water emergency. 

Contact the Local Utility Company When You Notice the Following Issues

If you see water leaking on your street because of a water main break, you see a leak at a neighbor’s house, but nobody is there, or your entire home’s water goes out, then you need to reach out to your local water utility company immediately. Typically, these companies will send one of their skilled contractors to check on the issue, verify what the problem is, and take care of the damage fast. 

Contact an Experienced Spokane Valley Plumber When You Notice the Following Issues

If you see water leaking inside the home, the water sewage is backing up, your water bill keeps rising, or your sinks are not draining correctly, then you need to contact an experienced Spokane Valley plumber quickly. These professionals can verify the problem and ensure that it is taken care of fast before it escalates into devastating home damage. 

Plus, since many plumbing issues often result from the area’s weather, it is also a good idea to have these plumbers complete regular maintenance checks, primarily after significant storms and heavy precipitation that Spokane Valley has to deal with during the wet season. These checks are often quick and easy and can save you a substantial amount of money in the long run.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Spokane Valley?

The city of Spokane Valley often requires permits for particular home and business improvements projects, including commercial building additions and remodels, residential building additions and remodels, re-roofing, mechanical work, plumbing projects, right-of-way work, demolition projects, and sign installation.

Generally, the goal of these permits is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the city’s residents by making sure that the buildings and structures that are repaired or replaced are built to code. In addition, these permits also protect homeowners from abuse by unlicensed contractors. 

However, since not all plumbing projects require a permit, it is a good idea to reach out to the city before you start any plumbing work. Once you call, the city’s representatives can verify whether you need a permit and tell you precisely what you need to do to obtain one.