AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Lubbock, TX

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Issues In Lubbock?

Lubbock is one of the most beautiful areas of Texas, but when plumbing issues strike, that’s all you can think about. Our beautiful area is right in the path of the infamous “Tornado Alley”, and experiences numerous floods, hail, and lightning strikes throughout the year – all things that can affect a structure’s foundation. We won’t even mention the scorching temperatures and the damage it can do to plumbing (yes, we will.)

 Here are the top issues in Lubbock plumbing.

Low Water Pressure

When it gets hot outside, the lawn sprinklers work overtime, often causing low water pressure. The first place you usually notice it is in the sink. First, see if both hot and cold faucets are affected. If so, it’s more than likely an aerator problem. Mineral deposits from our notoriously hard Lubbock tap water builds up and obstructs water pressure. Fortunately, it’s a simple fix. Just remove the aerator, clean out any debris inside, and screw it back on.

Another reason could be corroded water pipes. This is a much more serious and expensive plumbing issue that can occur in Lubbock, especially in older homes such as in the West Carlisle area. 

Clogged and Leaking Pipes

Dirt and grime, along with food, toys, cosmetics, toothbrushes, and a myriad of other things can go down your drain and end up in your pipes, keeping your sinks, faucets, and toilets from delivering and draining water. Most commonly, clogs are caused by things that are relatively easy to flush out, like hair, grease, and hard water mineral buildup.

In most cases, a plunger or a plumbing snake will fix the problem temporarily, but to stop it completely, you’ll need to take extra measures.

Leaking is another common pipe issue, and a reason why Lubbock homeowners call our plumbers. Pipes wear out after a while and begin to leak, especially if they are rusted or oxidized, or if the seams and seals have loosened. Homes in areas such as Bowie, Regal Park, and the Adobe Row are likely to experience these types of issues.

In cases of corroded pipes, they can weaken and break anywhere, but most often fall short at the joints. Cost of repair depends heavily on the location of the home and the severity of the leak.

Broken Water Pipes

Clogged and leaking pipes are a big enough problem, but when they break, it’s another matter completely. A small pipe burst can cause serious damage. You can safely double the damage from a major break in a pipe. When any size of break happens in water pipes, the first move is to shut off the main water valve, to avoid flooding.

Fixing busted water pipes is difficult because some excavation will probably be involved, and it’s possible to rupture the gas line while trying to repair the waterline. Water pipes installed between 2003 and 2007 in Lubbock could be facing a special issue. Many homes built during that time used an interior pipe system called Kitec, that is now found to corrode easily. 

Dripping Faucets

A continually dripping faucet is highly annoying, but it’s also highly expensive. Those tiny droplets don’t seem like much water, but a steady drip will add up on the water bill. The longer it goes on, the more costly it will be to repair, and it’s costing you money while you wait to repair it as well. Most homeowners are startled to discover how much damage a leaking faucet can do to a water bill.

Running and Overflowing Toilets

Just like a constantly dripping faucet, a toilet that runs never-ending can become infuriating quickly. A toilet that won’t stop running will increase your water bills considerably, in addition to driving you crazy.

There are a couple of reasons why a toilet will run. Most are problems with the small components inside the tank. The flapper valve might be ill-fitting, the fill tube may loosen after time, or the water level indicator float might become unbalanced. Other times it’s a more serious problem, like when one of those components completely breaks.

An overflowing toilet upsets the whole household. It’s a startling emergency of the grossest proportions, and usually couldn’t happen at a worse time. Toilets overflow for a few simple reasons. Maybe it’s just clogged and the issue is solvable with a plunger, or perhaps the toilet float mechanism is broken, causing the toilet to constantly fill with water.

No matter what caused the overflow, the first step is always to shut off the water valve at the base of the toilet to prevent the issue from getting any worse.

How Does The Water In Lubbock Affect Your Plumbing?

Texas has the 6th hardest water in the country. Not all Texas water is the same hardness. It varies slightly across the state, but Lubbock experiences some of the hardest water the state has to offer, and the plumbing pays the price. 

Lubbock’s water is a mix of surface water and groundwater. More than half of Lubbock’s water supply comes from the Robert County Well Field, the remainder from Lake Alan Henry, Bailey County Well Field, and Lake Meredith. The Ogallala Aquifer supplies water from the Roberts County and Bailey County well fields. These four sources of water travel up to 160 miles to reach Lubbock.

Mineral deposits such as calcium from hard water cause clogs in pipes. When hard water is hot, some of it evaporates, leading to the condensation of the minerals within. Solidified mineral deposits accumulate in plumbing systems, as well as dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines. 

It causes extensive problems throughout the entire plumbing system, including lowered water pressure, high water bills, and the malfunction of major household appliances.

Some systems are more vulnerable to hard water. PVC and copper pipes are more resistant to the effects of hard water, but mineral deposit clogs can still be a problem if left unmonitored. Hard water doesn’t pose a health risk, but it is bothersome. 

It’s usually recommended to flush your water heater every 6 to 12 months, but in Lubbock you might consider doing this more often, approximately once every three months is best. Without adequate flushing, you might find yourself without any hot water, most likely while in the shower covered in soap.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Lubbock?

The median cost of our plumbers’ services in Lubbock are $45 to $200 per hour. Much relies on where in Lubbock you’re located and additional factors surrounding your problem.

Timing

Timing is a big factor in any problem in the home, be it plumbing, electrical, or even pests. The cheapest prices will come during our regular business hours. Emergency situations always cost more. You’re not only paying for the services and supplies for the repair, but also the cost of our experts operating outside normal business hours. 

Cost of Labor

A big factor in plumbing pricing in Lubbock is the cost of labor, maybe even be the biggest factor. The total cost of labor depends on the services we need to provide. Big jobs require hours and hours of labor, which quickly add up to a larger bill.

Size of Home

There are a lot of big houses in Lubbock, and the size of the property is a major factor in the price of plumbing services. Structures with more than one story can also cause our plumbing prices to go up. The more plumbing system that there is to purchase, install, and maintain, the more it will cost.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money In Lubbock?

You can’t cut corners on plumbing problems. Buying the highest quality supplies and services you can find saves an immense amount of money over the years.

Restoring worn-out faucets and other hardware is a quick and relatively inexpensive plumbing task that can save a significant amount of money by the end of the year. Upgrade toilets and water heaters every five to seven years for maximum savings.

Better plumbing can also save you money when you insulate your water heater. Use a water heater blanket to save energy as well as money. Simply wrap it around the whole water heater from top to bottom and secure it in place. It adds warmth to the water inside and saves work for the heater.

When Should You Call The Water Utility Company In Lubbock Vs Hire a Plumber?

All sorts of plumbing mishaps occur in Lubbock. Not all require the special services of our plumbers. Sometimes you’ll need to call the City of Lubbock Water Department.

If you think a leak is happening somewhere in your home and the water meter is not spinning, you’ll need to call the water department. They are responsible for leaks in their lines, but not the plumbing lines inside your home. If the leak is in their lines, it will not affect the meter.

If the water meter is spinning, the leak is in the lines somewhere in the home. Call us for help!

Don’t forget, the water company will charge a service fee if they come out and the leak turns out to be in your home after all.

When Do You Need Permits For Plumbing Service in Lubbock?

In 2019, Texas decided that plumbers no longer need a license to work in the state, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to obtain the necessary permits. 

Most large plumbing jobs such as repiping, sewer replacement, moving existing water lines, and drain line replacements need a permit to complete, and even some smaller ones like replacing a water heater.