AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Conroe, TX

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Conroe?

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, we have a wide array of homes for sale, from new construction to lovingly remodeled older homes — any of which, unfortunately, can suffer plumbing problems. Some of the most frequent service calls we make in Conroe include:

Leaks and Dripping Faucets

Homeowners in even the newest of homes can find themselves with a dripping faucet, a toilet that keeps running, or a pipe connection that has a slow leak. While these are all annoying, they can also turn into bigger problems that can cause substantial water damage to your home and cost you wasted water as well. Given Conroe’s efforts to conserve water, it’s important to have these minor issues fixed for environmental reasons, too. 

Unfortunately, leaks are more prevalent in Conroe than many other areas because of the city’s hard water. Mineral deposits can damage o-rings, gaskets, fixtures, and appliances more quickly than soft water, so you’re at higher risk of issues living in the city.

Slow Drains and Clogs

Every home faces problems with a slow drain or clogged toilet at some point. Often, a plunger or household drain snake can resolve it. If that’s not enough or if you find your drains need attention regularly, that’s usually an indication of bigger issues, such as a larger clog further down the line or even a looming sewer line blockage. With recent drought years, our famous and beautiful pine trees are seeking water wherever they can, and sometimes that’s through cracks in your sewer pipes. The roots of our massive trees can dislodge connections, break pipes, and infiltrate water mains, leading to severe blockages.

Water Heater Issues

No one likes to head into the shower only to find there’s no hot water. Unfortunately, water heaters have a fairly limited lifespan, only about ten to fifteen years on average, so you’ll need to replace one in your home at some point. Conroe’s harder water can also shorten a water heater’s service life as sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank, forcing the heating element to work harder and fail sooner.

How Does the Water in Conroe Affect Your Plumbing?

Conroe’s water comes from Lake Conroe as well as from the Jasper and Catahoula aquifers. While our water is of very good quality for drinking, bathing, cooking, and everything else we enjoy clean water for, it leans toward the hard side, which can affect your pipes and fixtures. Harder water can encourage mineral buildup inside your pipes, reducing your water flow over time. It can also build up in faucet aerators, showerheads, and inside water-using appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and even coffee makers. As it builds up, less water can flow through their systems, and it can lead to premature failure. On the positive side, harder water is less able to absorb toxic metals, such as lead, from your pipes.

Water Hardness

Hardness, when used to describe water, is an indication of how much dissolved mineral content (usually calcium and magnesium) the water contains. The greater the content, the harder the water. Measurements are often calculated in grains per gallon (gpg), so that ratings of 3 gpg and lower indicate soft water and 7 gpg and higher represent hard water. Generally, the water in Montgomery County falls into the upper middle of that range. For example, water from Lake Conroe averages about 5 gpg, though water from our aquifers tends to be a little harder.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Conroe?

Knowing you need to have some plumbing work done can be a disheartening thing if you, like many people, expect it to be very expensive. You’ll be happy to know that the average plumbing service call around Conroe starts at around $100 and runs to about $875, with most average calls running about $450. Of course, every plumbing issue and household plumbing system are unique, with many pipes hidden in walls and underground, so it can be challenging to give a very accurate estimate before we investigate your problem. There are, however, a few aspects of plumbing that typically influence the cost of the work, including:

Type and Scope of Service

If you only need a minor repair or service, such as a clogged toilet or leaky faucet, your costs will almost always be at the very low end. Larger jobs will usually bring with them larger costs, given the additional hours and materials they require. Many plumbing jobs turn out to be what they appear to be; but sometimes, initial appearances are deceiving and further investigation uncovers a different issue. For example, what seems to be a simple and inexpensive clogged sink can turn out to be a blockage in your sewer line, requiring excavation and replacement. Other times, though, what you fear may be a leak in your water supply line may simply be a faulty valve requiring a much lower expense to repair.

Materials and Supplies

The supplies and materials we need to address your plumbing issue will have a direct effect on your pricing and are often one of the factors we have the least control over. For example, copper pipes and connections are commonly used materials, but the cost of copper has varied dramatically in recent years, making the price of this necessity difficult to predict. In other cases, if we need to replace a fixture or appliance, your preferences about the style, model, color, and other details will affect that part of your costs.

Permits and Other Expenses

Because many types of plumbing repairs and services require permits in Conroe, the cost of the permit will affect your bottom line. If we need any specialized equipment or additional workers to complete your plumbing work, that will also add to your costs. Finally, service calls outside of regular business hours may also affect overall charges.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Conroe?

Keeping your household’s systems in good working condition will almost always save you money, enabling them to work more efficiently and last longer. Your plumbing system certainly falls under this category, though many people don’t give their plumbing a second thought until there’s a problem. Here are some of our suggestions to keep your plumbing running smoothly and saving you money:

Fix Small Issues

Minor leaks and drips from pipes, sprinkler heads, and other sources can seem trivial, but the EPA calculates that the average US household wastes about 10,000 gallons of water each year. That’s enough to do more than two years’ worth of laundry, a half-year of daily showers, or 1,000 loads in the dishwasher (3,000 if you have a more efficient model). Rather than sending that water (and money) right down the drain, it’s worth it to repair those small issues to add up to big savings. 

Follow Water Conservation Measures

Water conservation guidelines are designed to protect our clean, fresh water, which is a critical resource that is at increasing risk as both population and drought conditions are also expanding. Following local programs such as the W.I.S.E. Guys water conservation program for landscape irrigation can help protect our precious water resources while saving you money, too.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Most people don’t think twice about taking their car in for an oil change, but never stop to consider some routine maintenance for their household plumbing. Some regular steps you (and our plumber) can take include:

• Fix any small leaks and drips while they’re inexpensive and easy to remedy. Conroe’s guide to checking for leaks can help you investigate. If you find a leak that has affected your water bill, you can fill out a water leak adjustment request with the city of Conroe for a one-time rate reduction.
• Resolve slow and clogged drains promptly to prevent them from becoming worse.
• Flush your water heater to remove sediment buildup in the tank. This is especially important with our harder water.
• Check your water heater’s sacrificial anode and replace it if needed. The anode is a metal rod inside the tank that rusts instead of letting your tank rust, helping it last longer.
• Have your sewer lines inspected regularly to identify problems before they become major ones.

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

If you are having problems with your water supply or sewer lines, you may wonder whether you should contact the water department or arrange for our plumbers to come out. It’s not always easy to determine. A rule of thumb is that if you and your neighbors are having the same plumbing issue, it is likely to be on the municipal side of the pipes, and you should contact the city for assistance. If the problem seems to be isolated to your home, the problem is probably on your side of the water meter or sewer main connection, and oru plumbers are usually your best bet. You can also contact the city of Conroe administration office to report water or sewer leaks, sewer blockages, and other major water-related issues.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Conroe?

It can be complicated to determine precisely which plumbing work may require a plumbing permit in Conroe. According to city guidelines, you need a permit if you alter any of the wiring, plumbing, or mechanical systems, but you do not need a permit for replacing plumbing fixtures (except water heaters). Because it is so important to ensure the safety and reliability of plumbing work in your home, you can contact the city of Conroe building department or our expert plumbers for more information, and to help determine whether your plumbing work will require a permit.