Best Plumbers in Kentucky
Every home will have plumbing issues at some point. Most are pretty minor, like a broken garbage disposal or clogged toilet. Occasionally you may end up with something a little more serious, like frozen pipes or backups. These can cause some severe damage to your home and need to be repaired quickly.
Unless you have some experience, you’re likely going to want to hire a professional to help you with your plumbing issue. While homeowners can request a permit to do their own plumbing repairs, it’s wise to seek out an expert who knows how to deal with plumbing issues and works on them regularly.
There’s a massive range of different types of plumbing problems, and each state has some of its own issues. While most seasons have very mild weather here, winters can get extremely cold, leading to more significant issues like frozen pipes.
That’s why finding a plumber that’s local to Kentucky and has experience dealing with the most common issues in this state is essential. Before you start the search, there are a few things you should know.
Table of Contents
Most Common Plumbing Issues in Kentucky
Faucet Leaks
Leaky Plumbing
Clogs
Low Water Pressure
Water Heater Leaks / No Hot Water
Backed Up Toilets & Drains
Frozen/Burst Pipes
Average Cost of Plumbers in Kentucky
How to Find the Best Plumber in Kentucky
FAQs about Plumbers in Kentucky
1 Is a license required for plumbers in Kentucky?
2 What is considered a plumbing emergency?
3 Can I fix my own plumbing problems in Kentucky?
4 What questions should I ask a plumber before I hire them?
Most Common Plumbing Issues in Kentucky
No matter where you live, there are some common plumbing issues that you’ll likely have to deal with at some point or another. These include things like clogs, broken garbage disposals, dripping faucets, and more.
Luckily, Kentucky is a pretty mild to moderate state as far as year-round weather. Even so, this state still gets some cold winters, and there are a host of plumbing problems that you may need to repair.
Faucet Leaks
Leaky faucets or fixtures are one of the most common problems in Kentucky. Most of the time, the repair is pretty straightforward, and you’ll just need to tighten a loose component. It could also be that your faucet is just getting old. While you may be able to fix this on your own, it’s nice to have a plumber check it and ensure that the problem doesn’t persist or get worse.
Leaky Plumbing
Pipe leaks often happen in Kentucky when the weather starts to warm up. That’s because the cold winters cause the pipes to contract or freeze, which can cause tiny cracks. In the springtime, the pipes and the cracks will start to expand, causing a leak. Homeowners can sometimes use repair sleeves, but this isn’t a permanent fix, so it’s best to hire a professional to take care of the problem. If you notice any water damage in your home, that’s a sure sign that you’ve got a leak, and it’s essential to get it fixed quickly to avoid serious damage.
Clogs
Clogs can be a huge pain for any homeowner, whether it’s the sink, shower, bath, or toilet. Toilet paper and waste are usually the culprit for your toilet and can quickly be resolved by using a plunger. Drains can get clogged with grease or hair. Sometimes you can use Drano to resolve the issue. If you’ve already tried these methods and they haven’t helped, you may have a more serious problem. The pipes could be clogged further down than your home remedies will be able to reach. A plumber will be able to use a snake or other tools to clear the clog.
Low Water Pressure
A number of different issues can cause low water pressure. The most common is a clog or a leaky pipe like discussed above. You’ll need a plumber to inspect your pipes and figure out how to resolve this issue.
Water Heater Leaks/No Hot water
A leaking water heater can cause a lot of damage. Fortunately, repairing a leak is as simple as tightening a loose pipe or replacing a washer in most cases. It’s pretty rare for there to be any serious damage to the tank itself. If you don’t have any hot water, that’s a whole other issue. Typically, this is caused by an electrical issue. In either case, it’s best to have a plumber come out to inspect and repair your water heater. Regular inspections can also prevent any future issues.
Backed Up Toilets & Drains
If your toilet or sinks are backed up, it’s usually an issue with the sewer pipes. This is generally caused by a leak or a clog in the sewage line. As mentioned above, leaky pipes are often a problem during the winter and springtime. On the other hand, clogs are more prone to happen in warm weather. New plant growth can spread roots into the tiny cracks in your pipes, causing a blockage. You may also end up with sewer water flooding your yard. These types of issues need to be dealt with quickly, so having a plumber you trust is handy.
Frozen/Burst Pipes
While Kentucky winters aren’t usually too bad, average lows are around 23 degrees. Since pipes typically can freeze at temperatures of 20 degrees and below, this can be a concern if there’s a bad storm. You can check out the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s tips to prevent frozen pipes or talk to your local plumber and see what they recommend. While burst pipes aren’t common in the state, they can happen, and they’ll cause a lot of damage quickly. Plumbers are trained to deal with these types of problems and can help you take measures to prevent future problems.
Average Cost of Plumbers in Kentucky
Plumbers have to deal with a wide range of issues, so it’s impossible to give an average cost. It will vary significantly based on the problem at hand and the severity of the case. Some plumbers charge by the hour, plus parts and materials, while others offer fixed rates for certain types of jobs.
In Kentucky, you can expect to pay between $61 and $69 for an hourly rate, plus the cost of parts. This is for general repairs and preventative inspections. For something a little more complicated, like clearing a clogged drain or blockage, that range increases to $108-$132 per hour. The average fixed fee for the same repair is $104-$127. Again, you’ll still need to cover the cost of the materials and parts.
How to Find the Best Plumber in Kentucky
If it’s an emergency, you’ll need to find a plumber quickly and may not have the time to search around. But, if you have the time, you’re going to want to get some quotes.
If you’ve noticed a problem, it’s best to write down all the details so you can lay it out for the plumber on the phone. If you don’t provide enough information, they may not bring the right tools or parts to make the repair. This will lead to repeat visits, longer repair times, and higher costs.
You’ll want to look for a plumber with plenty of experience, so you can trust that they’ll know the best way to repair your issue. Less experienced plumbers may charge less, but it’s hit or miss on whether they’ll be able to handle your repairs properly. If you go this route, make sure you know what their warranty and guarantee policies are.
Here at Home Service Stars, our purpose and goal is to match you with the best plumber for the job. We’ll connect you with one of our 5 star home service pros to get you the best service at an affordable price.
FAQs about Plumbers in Kentucky
1. Is a license required for plumbers in Kentucky?
Kentucky does require plumbers to get a license. This ensures that they’ve had the training and have the knowledge to fix plumbing issues properly. You can check with Kentucky’s Public Protection Cabinet to see if your plumber has the proper licensing.
2. What is considered a plumbing emergency?
Typically, emergencies are classified as issues that risk flooding or are already causing flooding since these will cause extensive property damage. However, there are a few others.
These include:
- Burst pipes
- Leaky pipes or fixtures
- Frozen pipes
- Blocked drain
- Sewage back up
- No functioning toilet on the property
3. Can I fix my own plumbing problems in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires anyone performing plumbing repairs to have a license. However, homeowners can get a permit to do their own maintenance. You’ll have to meet certain criteria, and there are only specific types of plumbing repairs that you’re allowed to take on yourself.
4. What questions should I ask a plumber before I hire them?
There are many questions that will help you decide who to hire. These questions will also allow you to compare contractors to find the perfect balance of quality/experience and affordability.
- Are you certified?
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
- How long have you been in business?
- Can I have a written estimate with a total cost breakdown?
- Does this estimate include everything?
- Do you offer flat rates or hourly fees?
- Do you offer any discounts?
- What are my payment options?
- When can you start?
- How long will the job take (approximately)?
- Who is responsible for cleanup?
- Do you have references?
- Do you offer a written guarantee?
At Home Service Stars, our home service technicians are certified professionals ready to help solve any issue. Our professionals are just a call away, whether you are doing DIY renovations or have a leaking faucet.
