Plumbing Stillwater, MN 

Living in a city like Stillwater, with outdoor spaces such as the St. Croix River and Lily Lake Park on your doorstep, can be great fun in the summer months. Temperatures often reach 95 degrees from June to August, which makes it a shock when freezing winter conditions hit later on in the year. 

Snowfall generally doesn’t stay long on the ground, allowing Stillwater’s many outdoor cafes and golf courses to operate effectively all year round. However, the same can’t always be said for our plumbing systems, which are put under considerable strain by the icy cold Minnesota winters. For residents of Stillwater, reliable repair services are therefore not only a luxury, but an absolute necessity.

Whether the pipes become frozen or your bathroom tap won’t stop dripping, Hurlburt’s team of HVAC professionals are available to keep your systems running smoothly throughout all weathers. We’ve been repairing and maintaining plumbing in homes and businesses across Stillwater for more than 60 years, with over 250,000 satisfied customers to date, making us the go-to HVAC company in Minnesota.

When Should I Get a New Plumbing System?

Generally speaking, most plumbing systems are durable enough to last for up to 50 years, especially if they’re made from tougher materials like cast iron, copper, brass, or polyvinyl chloride. 

However, some of the homes we visit in Stillwater have pipes built with older materials such as galvanized steel or clay that are more vulnerable to the elements – and no one wants to experience a burst pipe in the cold weather! Corrosion or rust can also increase the chances of poor water quality with these types of pipes, so we’re more likely to recommend an entire system replacement to prevent any dangerous and expensive plumbing emergencies.

While age is probably the most important factor we consider when suggesting a full plumbing remodel, here are some other key signs that it may be time for your current system to go:

• Mold Growth: Leaking pipes or toilets create the perfect conditions for mold to thrive, which can quickly infect your whole system if left untreated. Plus, who wants to put up with that foul damp odor in the hot summer months? We’ll often suggest fitting a new plumbing system in severe cases to kill any lingering fungi and keep your home free from dangerous toxins.

• Higher Bills: Older plumbing systems often come with issues like leaky faucets and low water pressure, both of which can reduce the efficiency of your pipes. Avoiding increased water and energy bills may be as simple as a few quick repairs, but our experts won’t fool you around – if we think your bank balance would benefit from a newer system, we’ll help set the wheels in motion!

• Frequent Leaks: Sure, we can fix the leaky tap that’s been dripping for a couple of weeks with some plumbing putty. However, if the problem has been going on for months, or frequent repairs simply aren’t stemming the water flow, it may be time for a complete system replacement.

• Water Discoloration: Has your water been tasting or smelling funny lately? It could contain chemicals such as iron oxide that come from rust, which can make you and your family unwell. Safe drinking water is always the priority, so if we can’t keep your pipes free of toxins, you’ll need new ones as soon as possible.

Benefits of Plumbing Maintenance

Sometimes, shelling out on a whole new plumbing system is unavoidable, particularly when the repair costs are more than $1,500. One way of preventing this situation, though, is by investing in regular maintenance, which addresses small issues like blocked drains before they can progress into even bigger, more expensive repairs

Ignoring that leaky tap or slightly clogged sink can seriously damage the system, especially if your pipes burst and flood the area. Plus, mold and other fungi thrive in damp conditions, feeding on the wood timbers that support the structural integrity of your home. So, while it may seem like an inconvenience, scheduling that maintenance appointment is essential for keeping your living space safe and comfortable. 

The chances that you’ll need the entire system replaced are pretty slim, but if a plumbing replacement is necessary, we’re committed to keeping the costs as low as possible. We even offer a variety of financing options to ensure that our services fit into every budget, no matter how big or small yours may be.

Common Plumbing Repair Issues in Stillwater

Many small plumbing issues can be solved without the help of a professional – take a leaky kitchen faucet, for instance, which often requires some simple tightening and maybe an O-ring replacement. 

For plumbing emergencies or more complex issues that involve live wires and utility lines, however, we’d always recommend getting a skilled technician to make the necessary fixes. Tackling these problems yourself could just worsen them, meaning you’ll require more expensive repairs anyway later down the line.

In our 60+ years of service here at Hurlburt, we’ve gotten used to dealing with a whole host of plumbing problems when performing our maintenance checks, including these common ones:

• Sump Pump Failures: Large amounts of rain can cause Stillwater’s sewers to overflow, which is why we can’t empty our sump pump water directly into these systems. Extreme weather can also create problems for sump pumps themselves, causing them to become overwhelmed when the 49 inches of snow we see here on average each year melts during the milder spring months.
• Frozen Pipes: When temperatures drop as low as 9℉ during January, frozen pipes can be pretty unavoidable throughout the city of Stillwater, especially in parts of your home that are less insulated. Frozen water causes the pipes to naturally expand, which makes them vulnerable to cracking, or even worse – bursting. Try to leave your faucets slowly dripping to prevent this, and call a plumbing professional if you suspect that your pipes may have started freezing over during the colder months.

• Blocked Drains: Accidentally dropping something down the sink or toilet is a pretty easy mistake to make, which is perhaps why our drain cleaning services are one of our most requested in Stillwater and beyond. We’ll remove hair, food waste, grease, and any other items, using state-of-the-art power rodding equipment to combat stubborn blockages.

• Low Water Pressure: You may find that your toilet takes forever to flush or your shower simply drips when the water demand is particularly high in Stillwater. However, this could also just as easily indicate a problem with your pipes, such as a blockage or closed water valve. 

Experience Warmer Winters with Reliable Plumbing Services

Hot water and heating are absolute essentials for any property owners, but especially if you’re living in the frigid Stillwater climate during those winter months. So, to keep your pipes operating smoothly no matter the temperature, entrust your plumbing systems to Hurlburt and enjoy peace of mind throughout those 4 distinct Minnesota seasons.