Top 10 Tips to Reduce Ongoing Plumbing Expenses

Did you know that the average cost for plumbing services ranges from $300 to $700 or more for just an average job, like repairing faucets, toilets, or sinks, with the average hourly technician rate ranging from $80 to $120 an hour depending upon the market, day of the week and time of day?

Furthermore, some contractors charge a flat rate or a service fee of $100 or more on average to show up on-site. Your plumbing rates can also increase if the plumbing services are performed on the weekend or during an emergency event.

​Floor drains don’t typically require much attention unless your sink or toilet overflows. However, because of the lack of awareness, your floor drains might be more susceptible to problems along the way.

Pre-planning your floor drains’ care is the most important step towards reducing your repair and maintenance costs.

Remember to fill your traps often. Filling or priming your traps on a routine basis ensures the drains’ function and clears away any debris that may clog your drain, guaranteeing an open and properly working line.

The benefits of trenchless pipe repair make it a no-brainer for those who need to fix their plumbing system.

Trenchless pipe repairs cause overall less damage, have a faster completion time than other repair methods, and provide an overall better-quality service.

In the end, going trenchless will save you more money and can provide a pipe solution that will last longer.

Your sewer line is one of the most vital parts of your plumbing system – and if it becomes damaged or clogged, it could wreak unwelcome issues on your property.

Offset or damaged pipes could cost a lot to repair or replace. The sooner you detect a sewer line breakage or clog, the more likely you’ll be able to resolve the issue while saving your budget.

Damage tends to worsen over time, so if you’re experiencing the need to plunge or noticing slow drainage consistently, immediately call your service provider. The faster you recognize the warning signs of a blockage, the less you’ll spend on a massive repair bill.

There are plenty of eco-friendly, cost-saving solutions for your pipe and drain repairs.

Using harsh chemicals to unclog drains may cost you serious dollars if the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) gets involved, especially if those chemicals tap into the water supply.

Using more gentle products like baking soda and vinegar to unclog your pipes and drains are environmentally safe options and aid in unclogging most pipes and drains at a more affordable price than calling a tech for such minor work.

Thus, saving you an overall repair bill and on-site visit fees.

If you have multiple locations in your portfolio, and some of them have office spaces, you know that your space will need many sinks and toilets to accommodate those who’ll work in those offices.

Installing low flush toilets and installing faucet fixtures that utilize less water will help to avoid higher maintenance costs for your portfolio’s plumbing expenses.

As mentioned previously, replacing old and outdated fixtures can dramatically reduce your plumbing costs.

For instance, installing a touchless faucet helps limit germs and will less likely need repairs and replacement parts (i.e., handles, internal washers, packing glands, cartridges) due to controlled fixture usage.

More importantly, it helps conserve and regulate water usage, ultimately saving your budget from a large water bill.

Although you might have taken all the necessary precautions to avoid huge plumbing repairs, you still found yourself with a flooding problem.

Flooding is typically an emergency event, and no matter what you do, it can still be unavoidable. However, understanding the type of water can help mitigate the amount of flood damage to your property and the impact of the repair cost.

Clearwater flooding damage can be cleaned up on the spot (depending on the amount) and is safe unless 48-hours has passed. After 48-hours, clearwater can become greywater, which is a bit more hazardous and can soak and damage carpeting, furniture, and drywall.

Blackwater is the most extreme case, and it’s usually water from toilets and urinals containing raw sewage and fecal matter. Blackwater is the most destructive due to its unsanitary elements and can cause upholstery and drywall damage to the point where it’s unsalvageable.

However, before cleaning up any water waste, remember to contact your service provider first.

Making sure to place a backflow prevention system is a must to secure the cross-connection of pipes or for your building supply lines.

Backflow assemblies help to protect not only your water supply but are also placed for safety measures. Once you have a system in place, routine inspection is typical and takes about 30-minutes to test thoroughly.

By connecting with the right partner with the experience and licenses to match, you can avoid unnecessary costs on repairs and replacements for your backflow system while maintaining your water lines’ operations.

When things are out of our sight, it also tends to be out of our minds.

Unfortunately, our drain lines are precisely that. When our drain lines back up, everything else connected to it is backed up as well, like a domino effect.

There are many drain lines within a building, and they come in different sizes for different applications. Regardless, they all need a proper maintenance plan. 

Maintaining and managing your drain lines regularly through vetted technicians helps create a buffer that safeguards your drain’s longevity.

Taking proactive maintenance steps will help avoid significant expenses and problems down the line—literally!

In a commercial building, the plumbing system is much more complicated than a residential plumbing system and often a forgotten part of the business.

When it comes to hiring a commercial plumber to work in your building, you don’t want to make costly mistakes by hiring an uncertified tech.

You want to make sure the plumber you are hiring is licensed, insured, knowledgeable, and experienced in the commercial aspects of plumbing and plumbing repairs.

With so many plumbing specialists across the nation, it might get overwhelming to decide who would be the right fit.

That’s why connecting with the right contractor for your plumbing services helps to not only downgrade some of the repair costs for your portfolio, but you have the confidence in knowing your assigned vetted technician is fully licensed to take on whatever task is at hand.  

Saving money should always be a top priority for many professionals across varying industries.

Don’t wait for an emergency or any repair event to make you think otherwise.

By being proactive and taking back control of your plumbing system by following these ten tips, you’ll find yourself in a more sustainable and goal-oriented place.

To get the best plumbing programs for your multi-site portfolio, please connect with one of our Business Development Team members today!