AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Frisco, TX

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Frisco?

We see the full gamut of plumbing problems here in Frisco. With a population of over 200,000 people, Frisco is a diverse city, and all sorts of plumbing problems are bound to pop up over time. Though we commonly face some plumbing problems that are more typical here in Frisco than in other cities, folks here also see the normal problems that are common in plumbing systems anywhere.

The most frequent plumbing issues that we see people here in Frisco experience are:

Low Water Pressure

There are several causes of low water pressure in your Frisco home. It can be due to clogged pipes, a leak in your plumbing system, and faulty fixtures. Low water pressure can ruin everything from your dishes to your showers. If you are experiencing low or high pressure water in your homes, you can report it to the City of Frisco by calling 972-292-5800 or using the myFRISCO app.

Clogs or Slow Drains

Clogged drains cause slow water drainage, corrosion, flooding, and if not prevented, can lead to sewage backup and costly repairs. The hard water in Frisco means mineral buildup can commonly clog drains and pipes. Pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain is harmful to your pipes. If you notice any of these signs, call us right away. The City of Frisco also listed ways on how to protect your pipes. 

Running Toilet

One of the most common plumbing problems in Frisco is running toilets. Even if you cannot hear the toilet running, it can still be leaking water. There are signs that you should look out for if you suspect a leak, including: running toilet water, noises from the toilet when not in use, and a higher water bill than usual.

Ground Shifts

While temperatures don’t get as cold as in the northern parts of Texas, it still gets to freezing temperatures in Frisco in the wintertime. Freezing temperatures can cause the ground around your house to shift and in turn can cause various plumbing issues such as water heater issues, slab leaks, clogged drains, and water and gas leaks.

Burst Pipes

Not only is the ground shifting the only problem when winter comes, but the freezing temperatures can also cause your pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent this from happening, you can keep water running regularly in your household so water doesn’t remain stagnant in your pipes and freeze. You can also keep your thermostat at a higher temperature to help keep the pipes in your home warm. If you have a holiday planned and will be away from your home for a few days, it’s best to call use to winterize your pipes, which can help them resist the effects of the frigid temperatures while you’re away.

How Does the Water in Frisco Affect Your Plumbing?

Frisco’s location in North Texas makes it much less arid and hot than the rest of Texas. Summer months are often humid, which limits the dry, drought-like conditions that people may associate with areas of South Texas. Frisco is part of the North Texas Municipal Water District like much of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Our water supply here in Frisco primarily comes from Lavon Lake but is sometimes augmented with water from other lakes in the area.

The high mineral content of these water sources does create some problems for plumbing in the Frisco area in the form of hard water. Our water in Frisco is usually rated at a hardness of around 160 ppm, which is moderately hard water. This high mineral content isn’t harmful for drinking or irrigation but can cause damage over time for plumbing components and fixtures. The mineral content of the water slowly accumulates in plumbing over time, leading to blockage in pipes and fittings and built-up scale on fixtures. This may lead to more frequent calls to us for reduced flow, as water in pipes is restricted by accumulated minerals and more frequent fixture replacement because scale deteriorates fixtures quickly.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Frisco?

Compared to nearby city centers like those of Dallas and Fort Worth, plumbing in Frisco can be relatively affordable. In 2021, homeowners paid an average of $477 for plumbing services in Frisco.

No two plumbing jobs are alike, and there are several factors that can affect what the cost is of your specific needs for your specific plumbing system. Once we talk about your specific situation, we should be able to give a more accurate estimate of what your specific plumbing problems are likely to cost.

Materials

Just like any other contractor, we will typically pass along the cost of materials to you. The components for the job end up in your plumbing, so you will be charged for anything that we had to purchase on your invoice. For common plumbing components, material costs can be very low, but they can add up during the course of extensive plumbing work. Rare or specialized components may carry higher costs if they need to be specially ordered or imported. We’re extremely knowledgeable about the most affordable ways to do plumbing work right, but cutting corners absolutely does not work for plumbing. So, if a certain component is required, it will have to be billed for on your invoice.

Complexity

Plumbing systems are very complex, delicately engineered systems. While simple fixes may be routine and easy work for us, complicated issues may have effects throughout your entire plumbing infrastructure and require extensive planning to execute properly. Your bill will mostly be comprised of materials and labor, and extensive planning time does result in extra labor for us. This may result in higher costs, but it’s important for the health of your entire plumbing network that these complicated repairs are thoroughly planned and executed properly the first time.

Urgency

Emergencies and urgent work will typically affect the cost of plumbing services here in Frisco. We are hard-working people, but we also often have our hands full of appointments for others who also are counting on us to show up for their plumbing needs. Emergency plumbing service will often mean that we need to work overtime to meet your needs without neglecting previously made appointments, and that can result in higher costs. Emergency issues shouldn’t be neglected, though. Plumbing problems can escalate quickly if left unaddressed. So, if you have an emergency issue, it will be worth slight increases in cost to get it dealt with right away.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Frisco?

Better plumbing always saves money in the long run. Like the other infrastructure that makes up your home, investments in sustainable and durable solutions reduce the frequency of necessary maintenance and reduce the risk of costly emergencies like flooding. Upgrades to plumbing are rarely wasted money, as preemptively taking efforts to prevent problems with your plumbing will drastically reduce costs over the course of years.

Water Softening Systems

Hard water can massively inflate the costs of plumbing problems over the years, so reducing the mineral content in your water will save you money over the life of your plumbing systems. Water softening systems can improve the lifespan of fixtures as well as your pipes, giving you more bang for your buck for any plumbing work you have done. We can advise you on the right type of water softening system, as the state of Texas has banned the use of certain types of water softening systems that add salts to wastewater. There are still plenty of options out there, though, to reduce the mineral content in your water and extend the life of plumbing systems.

Updating Outdated Plumbing

Plumbing can last a long time if cared for properly, but it does still have a limited lifespan. Older plumbing can wear down, especially if its components are made of outdated materials. As pipes and fittings wear down, they can create weaknesses in your plumbing system, providing the pressurized water a potential place to escape after pressure has worn it down over time. Many materials like galvanized steel can lose their protective coatings after decades of use. As this coating dissipates, the pipes can rust and corrode. This both weakens the plumbing systems and potentially can release hazardous chemicals like lead into your water. Updating older plumbing regularly is imperative to protect your health and your plumbing system from disastrous failures down the line that may result in leaks and flooding.

More Efficient Fixtures

New technology has refined much better methods of delivering water through fixtures, giving you the same or even greater utility while using less water. These newer fixtures are often more durable, as well, so updating to modern, water-conservative fixtures not only can save you money over time on your water bill, but they can also save you costs on potential future fixture replacements.

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

The water utility in Frisco maintains the grid that supplies water to private and public property throughout our town, but they are limited in how they can help with any problems that occur on your side of a home’s connection to the water main. If you don’t have any water flow at all to your home, the utility company may be able to tell you whether they are having issues in city systems and update you on the status of the repairs. If no other neighbors are experiencing issues, the water utility can come to test your pressure to ensure that your home is receiving the water it should. If the city’s flow of water to your property is normal, however, then the problem is happening on your side of the water main, and it is your responsibility to resolve it.

Calling the water utility company can help you narrow down what is causing problems if you have reduced or no water flow, but there are some issues in which you should immediately call us, as fixing them warrants urgent action. If you notice leaks or flooding anywhere, or that some fixtures in your home have water and others do not, call us immediately. Clogs totally blocking water supply to certain sections of your plumbing can build up pressure quickly if not dealt with and cause leaks. Leaks that aren’t dealt with as soon as possible can grow and lead to flooding, which can cause permanent damage to buildings and property.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Frisco?

In Frisco, small repairs won’t require a permit, but most work beyond simple clog and leak fixes typically will. Any plumbing services that install, alter, or remove parts or components will need a permit and an inspection from the city. We’re pretty familiar with the permit system of Frisco and can advise you on your legal obligations for your specific circumstances. For many smaller plumbing jobs that do require permits, Frisco has a simple-to-use self-service system for documenting plans for a job that can save a lot of time and costs minimal fees while keeping your home compliant with city regulations.