AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Shreveport, LA

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Shreveport?

Slow Drains and Clogged Pipes

Clogs in pipes, drains, toilets, and garbage disposals aren’t just an annoyance. They could be a sign of looming disaster, but they are definitely our most common service call. The best time to call us is when you notice the sink is draining slower than usual. You might think it’s working and not want to spend money on a professional, but addressing your problem while it’s in its early stages can often fix the problem in a shorter time and at a much smaller expense. Clogged pipes and drains can be more challenging to fix. If your plunger or drain snake hasn’t done the trick, it’s time to call us for professional help. 

Sewer Issues

Running right alongside the Red River with a ground elevation practically at sea level, drains around Shreveport can be a little slow. Factor in seasonal rains, hurricanes, storm surges, and Shreveport drains will slow, clog, and even back up all over town and in surrounding areas like Benton and Greenwood. Sewer lines can also face issues. Locals love the beautiful trees in the Highland Historic District, but those old trees have large and powerful root systems that take advantage of even the smallest cracks in underground pipes, causing breaks and blockages. 

Problems with Water Heaters

There are few things as satisfying as a long, hot bath, or as heartbreaking as finding out the hot water is out. The hard water in Shreveport can make the life of a water heater short and difficult. Hard water can help your water heater’s anode last longer. It’s less corrosive, but it also leaves sediment that sinks to the bottom of the tank and the heating element. Over time, that affects the efficiency of the water heater and leads to an early death. Regularly check the water heater’s anode and flush the tank to help it last longer, either alone or with our master plumbers’ help.

Broken Pipes and Leaks

Leaks and broken pipes are another common service call. Shreveport sees its fair share of tropical storms, complete with hurricanes, heavy rain, and the storm surges and flooding that accompany them. The extra water added to the low-lying ground causes the soil under foundations and around pipes to shift and sink, stressing and often breaking pipes. Strong winds put a strain on walls and the pipes inside, sometimes weakening connections and joints. Pipes can also break due to corrosion, clogs, mineral buildup, and physical damage.

How Does the Water in Shreveport Affect Your Plumbing?

Shreveport’s municipal water supply comes from Cross Lake and is treated and delivered by the Caddo Parish Water Department through over 1,600 miles of water mains. Water goes through more than 20,000 valves to reach your home. 

If you’ve heard water described as being hard or soft and not known what that means, you’re not alone. Water hardness describes the level of dissolved mineral content in water; most often, dissolved calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. It’s measured in grains per gallon (gpg). Ideal water hardness falls into a range from 3.5 (moderately soft) to 7 (moderately hard). Water measuring outside that range may seem too soft or too hard. In Shreveport, our water ranges from about 8 to 12 gpg, meaning it’s pretty hard. 

Hard water offers a few advantages to plumbing, such as helping the water heater’s anode to last longer, making dishes feel uber clean, and it’s less likely to absorb lead or other harmful substances from solder or older pipes. The downside is hard water also has a few drawbacks for plumbing systems, too. The larger number of dissolved minerals equates to more buildup inside the pipes and in the hot water tank and fixtures. You might notice mineral deposits on faucets or showerheads and/or residue from dissolved minerals in spots on your dry glasses. 

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Shreveport?

Budgeting for plumbing work can feel like dental work for many homeowners, a long and painful process. If you’re one of those people, you may be pleased to know that in Shreveport, the average price for plumbing work ranges from $100 for small jobs up to $1,050 for more complicated or big jobs with an average price of about $475. Plumbing involves a lot of unexpected discoveries sometimes, since so much is hidden inside the walls, under the floor, and even underground. Many considerations affect the final price you’ll pay.

Scope of the Work

Large, complicated plumbing work like re-plumbing a kitchen, installing new fixtures, or repairing a slab leak is expected to cost more. Small jobs, such as unclogging the sink or replacing the anode in your water heater, will be lower in cost. Sometimes a simple job like unclogging a drain turns into a complicated excavation project. On the other hand, what seems like a major problem in the supply lines can turn out to be a clogged section of pipe. Easy fix. 

Supplies, Materials, and Equipment

All of our plumbers strive to provide quality work that is up to code and meets with customer approval. Satisfying all of these requirements means specific materials and supplies are required to be in compliance and to do the job right. Logistical issues and supply can change the prices of materials too, which also affects your overall costs.

Permits and Expenses

Most plumbing work, except the simplest of repairs, will require a permit from the Caddo Parish Department of Inspection & Code Enforcement. Permitting and inspection requirements are invisible factors that affect the cost of plumbing work. Permits and inspections cost money. Our plumbers add them to the cost of their work. Other unexpected or invisible costs can also add to the final bill, including special equipment or additional workers needed for a project. 

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Shreveport?

Updated pipes, fixtures, faucets, pump systems, and filters are essential. Testing your water, having regular inspections on your plumbing operations, understanding laws of digging, the repair of certain plumbing parts, and testing your plumbing for small problems is important to prevent a bigger problem later. It’s better to buy a piece and hire our licensed, dependable plumbers to make a repair now, than to have a sewer line dug in your backyard, disrupting your home, lifestyle, and budget. There are all types of ways that better plumbing can save you money. Check out these money savers:

Cut Down on Water Use

Use less water and pay less on your water bill. Pretty simple concept. If you’re used to conserving water when the water department has a power outage, it’s easy to continue following the same guidelines when everything is running smoothly as well. Making small but essential repairs can help, too. Things like fixing leaky faucets or toilets that keep running after flushing should be fixed right away. The average American household wastes about 10,000 gallons of water every year due to small leaks. 

Preventative Measures

Small plumbing issues quickly grow into major problems, costing more to repair. A small leak left unattended flows along a pipe and can cause an electrical short, soak ceiling tiles causing them to fall through, or rot through the floor. A slightly slow drain can grow into a sewer backup in no time. Fixing small problems might cost a bit up front, but it saves in damage prevented.

Increased Appliance Efficiency

Replacing older and less efficient appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines with newer models that use less water and electricity saves you big bucks over time. Swap out old faucets and other fixtures inside and outside to add even more savings

Regular Maintenance

As with everything in life, doing some regular maintenance on the plumbing helps keep small problems from growing into large ones and can help keep fixtures and plumbing systems live longer. Flushing your water heater and keeping your drains clear are two easy ways to help keep the plumbing running without a hitch. Our professional plumbers take care of these tasks and can inspect your sewer lines to catch any damage before it gets started. 

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

Plumbing issues in Shreveport are shared between its citizens and the Caddo Parish Water Department. Landowners are responsible for everything on their side of the water meter, and the water department takes care of the rest. Usually, if you and a few neighbors are all having the same water issue, the issue is probably on the city line’s side, and you should call the Water Department. If the problem is affecting your house only, it is probably your responsibility. Contact our master plumbers to investigate the issue. Remember, the water company will charge you a surcharge if you call them out and the problem turns out to be yours.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Shreveport?

Most plumbing work, including the replacement or installation of water heaters, toilets, faucets, and other fixtures, requires a permit from the Caddo Parish Department of Inspection & Code Enforcement. Homeowners also have to obtain a permit for the “replacement or relocation of any standpipe, addition to or alteration of any water supply, sewer, drain, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping”, according to Caddo Parish Ordinance. Basic repairs like unclogging a toilet or flushing a water heater do not require a permit. If you don’t know if a permit is required, contact the Department of Inspection & Code Enforcement or just ask a professional plumber to help. They can coordinate any permits and inspections needed a lot easier than you can.