AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Corpus Christi, TX

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi is the largest city in Nueces County Texas and is located on the southern coast about 150 miles from San Antonio. Corpus Christi is a popular tourist destination for its coastal views and many resorts. It is also a destination for wind and water sports due to the Texas coastal winds. These high-speed winds make Corpus Christi one of the premier locations for windsurfing, kiteboarding, and sailing.

Of Course, Corpus Christi residents are not without the occasional plumbing problems. Here are some of the most common reasons to call a plumber in Corpus Christi:

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains and slow running drains can be prevalent plumbing issues in Corpus Christi. Kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains can clog due to debris, hair, and food scraps. These materials can cause drains to run slowly or block them off completely, resulting in overflowing and flooding.

Food scraps can be a common cause of drain clogs in the kitchen. Many home cooks dump grease or oil down the drain when it is liquified, not realizing that the fats can solidify in the cool drain and become a major obstruction. Mayonnaise, salad dressings, and other food scraps can also have these qualities, which water authorities call FOGs (fats, oils, grease).

While liquid plumbing solutions from the hardware store can seem like a quick and easy fix for a clogged drain, they may not be the best solution. Calling a licensed plumber in Corpus Christi ensures your drain is safely unclogged and in top condition.

Scaling

Hard water scaling is common throughout the United States, and it can be a reason to call a plumber in Corpus Christi. Scaling can lower the efficiency of your plumbing system when it builds up in pipes that carry hot water. It can also lower the energy efficiency of your water heater.

Your affordable plumbers in Corpus Christi can reduce hard water scaling with a water softener installation. We can also remove existing scaling from your water heater and plumbing system. If you have hard water, it is best to have your water heater maintained and flushed at least once per year.

Leaky Pipes and Fixtures

Leaky pipes or fixtures are a common reason to call a plumber in Corpus Christi. Leaks can spring for a number of reasons, with old corroded pipes being a common cause. Corrosion is the oxidation of metal and can affect copper, iron, stainless steel, and galvanized pipes. Corrosion can be more prevalent depending on water temperature, pH, and salt content.

Corrosion can cause pinhole leaks and contaminate drinking water. Corrosion-contaminated water may have a green color if the pipe is copper or red rusty color for other metals. The small leaks can expand, causing flooding or burst pipes.

Improper plumbing installation is another common reason for leaks. It is best to hire a licensed plumber in Corpus Christi to install plumbing fixtures and pipes properly.

How Does the Water In Corpus Christi Affect Your Plumbing?

The water in Corpus Christi ranges from moderately hard to very hard depending on the reservoir your water comes from. Unfortunately, this means that the water can cause scaling and mineral stains. It can also feel like your soap doesn’t wash off easily and give the water an unappealing cloudy appearance.

Hard water is magnesium and calcium and causes mineral buildup on pipes that carry hot water along with pots, kettles, and faucets. It can also build up and lower the efficiency of appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. If you have hard water, it may be worth investing in a water softener. Your plumber in Corpus Christi can also flush your plumbing lines and water heater to remove scaling.

Lead can also be a prevalent water problem in older homes. While local and federal regulations have mitigated lead in plumbing over the last several decades, there is a chance that your copper or galvanized pipes from before 1988 still have lead. Residents living in older homes should have their water tested and consult a plumber in Corpus Christi for a safe solution.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Corpus Christi?

While we try to offer affordable plumbing in Corpus Christi, there are some factors that can increase the price of your plumbing work. Here are the main factors that influence plumbing costs:

Type of Plumbing Work

The type of plumbing work is the primary factor in determining the cost of hiring a plumber in Corpus Christi. The cost is mainly based on the time and supplies required to safely complete the job.

While a simple faucet repair or slow drain repair is typically inexpensive, major leaks or damaged water heaters can be more costly to fix. Typically, replacing or installing a new water heater is more expensive than repairing or maintaining a water heater. Often, the energy savings from a new water heater can offset the cost of the replacement.

Significantly damaged plumbing lines may require a full repiping or large sections of the line to be replaced. Typically, these are among the most expensive plumbing jobs.

Materials

The cost of materials has a considerable impact on the cost of plumbing work. When modifying or repairing a plumbing system, we must work with the existing materials. Each material has a different average price and some are easier to work with than others. Transporting the material can also be a factor.

PVC is generally the cheapest piping material, and it is also light and easy to work with. PEX can also be easy to work with, but is more expensive than PVC. Metal pipes, like stainless steel and cast iron, are generally the most complex to install and are heavy. Copper can also be expensive and requires soldering to install.

Emergency Service vs Standard Service

The time of day and urgency of a repair can also impact the cost of hiring a plumber in Corpus Christi. An urgent repair is one that cannot wait. These repairs include sewage backups, major leaks, burst lines, and broken water heaters. We understand that waiting for these repairs would be unsafe, so we provide 24/7 emergency service for urgent repairs.

Our licensed plumbers in Corpus Christi are always ready to respond to your calls, regardless of the time of day or day of the week. We can send help immediately, and we will rearrange our regularly scheduled plumbing work to see that your urgent plumbing repair is resolved promptly. Our emergency service will give you peace of mind and ensure your family is safe, but emergency repairs are subject to an additional fee.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Corpus Christi?

There are several ways that better plumbing can save you money. One way to save money is with regular maintenance from a plumber in Corpus Christi. Maintenance not only increases the longevity of your pipes, fixtures, and appliances, it also improves performance, energy efficiency, and prevents costly repairs and failures.

Saving water can also save you money. In 2021, Corpus Christi residents paid between $6.46 and $8.09 for every 1,000 gallons of water. Reducing your water consumption can help you save on your water bill. WaterSense rated fixtures, appliances, and water controllers reduce your water usage by 20%, saving gallons of water each day.

Upgrading your plumbing-related appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters to Energy Star models can also save on water and energy usage. Compared to a washing machine from 1999, an Energy Star washing machine can use four times less energy and use less water with each load.

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

While your licensed plumber in Corpus Christi would be happy to solve all your plumbing issues, certain issues can only be addressed by the water utility company. Here are some scenarios to help you decide who to call when you have a plumbing issue:

The Water Utility Company

The city of Corpus Christi controls the water utilities within the city. When you need water service started or stopped the water utility company can help you. The water utility also installs and services your water meter. If the pressure from your water meter is too high, too low, or the meter is providing incorrect readings, the water utility company can solve your problem.

The city is responsible for the municipal plumbing systems and water mains throughout Corpus Christi. If you notice a leak in a municipal line or water main, you can notify the water utility company for repairs.

Your Plumber

If your plumbing problem occurs anywhere throughout your home, our friendly plumbers can help you. We maintain, inspect, repair, replace, and install a wide range of plumbing systems, lines, and equipment. Our Corpus Christi plumbers service the following:

• Drinking water lines
• Septic and sewage lines
• Outdoor plumbing
• Drains
• Faucets
• Shower and bath
• Washing machines
• Water softeners and heaters
• Water purification
• Garbage disposals
• Sump pumps
• Toilets
• & more!

When you need affordable plumbing service in Corpus Christi, call our plumbers today.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Corpus Christi?

When you require plumbing work in Corpus Christi, often, the work will require a permit unless it is a minor repair. Hiring a licensed plumber is the best way to ensure that your plumbing is permitted by the city. Our licensed plumbers can file for the permit on your behalf so you don’t have to deal with any confusing paperwork.

The exempt repairs include unclogging a clogged drain, stopping fixture and pipe leaks, and reinstalling existing fixtures like toilets and sinks without modification. A permit is required for water heater installations, installing and replacing vents and drains, installing irrigation systems, connecting sewage lines, and altering gas lines. Certain plumbing work can also require an inspection from the city, such as the installation of new plumbing systems and gas lines.