AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Peoria, IL

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Peoria?

Peoria, IL, is home to over 110,000 residents, and it’s a city with a long and rich history dating back hundreds of years. Although Peoria was first incorporated in 1845, people have lived on the land since well before the 1600s. As a result, there are several historical sites, buildings, and homes within the city’s limits. All this history adds tons of charm to Peoria, though older buildings come with plenty of additional problems not seen in newer ones, especially when it comes to plumbing. 

Most of the plumbing problems we see in Peoria have to do with older piping and plumbing systems, including clogged drains, low water pressure, and water heater issues. 

Clogged Drains

Homes with older pipes and fixtures produce clogs more often than those with newer plumbing systems. Hair, food scraps, soap, grease, and other substances can stick together and create nasty clogs that not only slow your home’s drains but can downright stop them from draining at all. Your property’s trees can also wreak havoc on your drains when their roots push on pipes and grow into your plumbing system. 

Standing water can quickly become a hazard when bacteria or fungi grow, and clogged drains are a problem that you should address right away. If you struggle with clogged drains frequently, speak with your plumber about longer-lasting and more comprehensive solutions, like new fixtures or pipes, that may address the problem on a more permanent basis. 

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can take showers from a peaceful and relaxing experience to one of pure annoyance and tension. Showers and faucets that produce low water pressure can make it challenging to get shampoo and conditioner out of your hair, soap off your body, and food scraps off of dishes. Plus, low water pressure can make your appliances run less efficiently and ultimately use more water. 

Hard water often causes low water pressure. Hard water creates a mineral buildup within the pipe and allows less and less water to flow through as it worsens. This is a slow and gradual process, and it can be difficult to notice changes in pressure over time until it becomes unbearable. If you suddenly see a change in pressure, that can also indicate a leak elsewhere within your plumbing system. 

Water Heater Issues

Anyone who has spent a winter in Peoria understands that it gets bitterly cold from November through March and sometimes even into April and May. Many people choose to warm up with a hot shower or bath after a long day in the cold, but water heater problems can quickly make baths, showers, and washing dishes unpleasant in cold weather. 

If you notice that you can’t get as much hot water in your home as you used to, or you hear loud bangs or cracking noises from your water heater, it may be time to get it checked out. It’s always a good idea to enlist the help of a plumber for routine maintenance and care for your water heater, too, so that you aren’t stuck without hot water in the dead of winter. 

How Does the Water in Peoria Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Peoria tends to be on the harder side, meaning it is full of minerals like magnesium and calcium. These minerals get into groundwater supplies from rocks and soil, which is very common among the entire Midwest region of the country. Hard water is not hazardous to your health if you drink, bathe, or cook with it, but it can cause problems in your home’s plumbing, and it can make your appliances less efficient. 

If you notice soap scum buildup on your tub or shower, mineral buildup on your fixtures, and staining on your laundry after it comes out of the wash, you may have a hard water issue. Hard water can also lead to dry skin or hair, making soaps and detergents much less effective. Hard water is easily fixed with the installation of a water softener if you don’t already have one, or it can be a trained plumber can it by looking at your existing system for problems. 

Water softeners work by replacing the hard water ions, calcium, and magnesium, with softer ions like sodium and potassium. Recent advances in technology have made these devices much more efficient and durable, and they can last ten years or longer when they are cleaned and maintained correctly. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Peoria?

The average cost for a plumber in Peoria is $402, though your final bill can be much higher or much lower depending upon numerous factors. Some plumbers charge hourly rates, typically between $50-$150 per hour, and others charge a flat fee for the job. Before you have a plumber start working on your home, make sure to get a free or low-cost estimate about how much the job should cost before you get blindsided by a huge bill. The three most significant factors in determining cost include the size of the job, what types of equipment they need, and how much time it will take to complete the job. 

Size of Job

When bringing in a plumber to fix a small leak or clog in your sink, you probably won’t have to spend too much. If, on the other hand, you need a new water heater installed, new piping laid throughout your home, or your current piping completely rearranged for a remodel, you’ll receive a much higher bill. Unfortunately, some jobs may appear small on the surface. Still, the underlying cause is much larger, like major root problems clogging pipes, shoddy amateur plumbing work done by the previous owner, or septic system failures that need complete replacement and cleanup. 

To avoid huge bills as much as possible, it’s always better to have a plumber look at minor problems before they escalate into larger ones. 

Equipment Needed

Some jobs require little more than tools your plumber will have on their tool belt, but others may need your plumber to rent heavy-duty machinery. This is often the case when it comes to problems with underground pipes that will have to be dug up and replaced. When your plumber needs more specialized equipment to complete the job, they will pass those costs onto you. 

Time Needed

Plumbers can resolve clogged sinks or small leaks in as little as an hour, and a smaller bill will reflect that short amount of time. Jobs that require entire days or weeks are not unheard of, especially when it comes to home remodels, and these will cost much more due to an increase in labor hours. When your plumber charges by the hour, the time needed will quickly become a more significant factor, though most plumbers that charge a flat fee will have labor hours built into their cost. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Peoria?

Better plumbing can save you money in Peoria and all over the country, especially when newer plumbing systems replace older and outdated ones. Zinc usually lines older pipes ad that can rust over time. The corrosion leads to many plumbing problems like leaks, clogs, and worse water efficiency. As a result, you will need more plumbing repairs, and your water bill will consistently be higher than it would be if you get your old piping replaced. 

When presented with the option to install new piping or fixtures, many people opt to skimp out and cut corners. Skimping can save money in the short term, but you will likely pay a hefty price every year in repairs and excess water usage, so it’s best to update your plumbing to a newer and better system to save money in the long run. 

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

For the most part, you will be responsible for hiring a plumber to take care of plumbing and water issues within your home and on your property. The only times you will contact the water utility company, Illinois American Water will be if you have questions about your bills, you need to start or stop water service, or if you see leaks or clogs on public property. 

Occasionally, sewage will back up in city pipes and leak onto streets or in parks. Sometimes fire hydrants or other public fixtures will also spring leaks, and you should bring issues like these to the attention of the utility company by calling the 24/7 emergency line at 1-800-422-2782. 

For most other water and plumbing issues, you will have to hire a plumber to come to look at your water issues. If your plumber discovers that the root of your home’s plumbing problems come from a city water problem, they can contact the right people to take care of the issue for you. 

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Peoria?

You will likely not need a plumbing permit from the City of Peoria to get common leaks, clogs, or valve issues fixed. It’s also unnecessary to seek a permit when replacing other appliances like toilets when the project doesn’t involve rearranging pipes, valves, or other fixtures. 

When it comes to home remodels and projects that do involve the rearrangement of fixtures, valves, and pipes within your plumbing system, the chances are good that you will need a plumbing permit from the city. If you aren’t sure whether a plumbing project will need a permit, it’s always better to seek clarification from the City ahead of time; otherwise, they may subject you to hefty fines if your project does not comply. 

Legally speaking, a homeowner may handle plumbing projects themselves in their own homes without the help of a licensed contractor. If you own property that you rent out to tenants, or if employees work in a building you own, you will have to hire a licensed contractor for plumbing and mechanical work unless you have a license yourself.