AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN McAllen, TX

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in McAllen?

Hard water is one of the most common plumbing issues in McAllen and throughout much of Texas. This problem is caused by high levels of minerals in the water supply, typically calcium and magnesium, that affect drinking water quality and build-up in your pipes, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures. Hard water, also known as limescale, mineral buildup, and mineral deposits, typically looks like a white, chalky residue left behind when water high in calcium or magnesium dries. Commonly found in your sink, shower, washing machine, and other areas, this substance can require bleach or other harsh chemicals to remove.

Although hard water is not immediately harmful, it affects the taste of your drinking water. It can lead to corroded pipes if the problem is not taken care of within a reasonable amount of time. Having our plumbers install a water softening system, which filters out excess minerals, is a simple way to improve the taste and appearance of your water and cut down on the amount of hard water stains in your kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas. 

Tree roots are another common culprit when it comes to plumbing problems in Texas. The roots of our large native trees often spread out much more over time than their planters anticipated, and roots without enough space can run into sewer lines and other buried resources. In fact, they tend to gravitate toward leaking sewer lines for a water source given the frequent drought conditions in the area. Although these roots often simply grow around the sewer lines without causing a problem, they can bend and even block your sewer line.

While the distance between your bathroom and the location of a blockage can result in not noticing it right away, a toilet that drains slowly for unexplained reasons or has already backed up may have a tree root problem. Our plumber will usually need to inspect your sewer line to determine whether to unblock or fix it and waiting too long to have this inspection done can result in having sewage back up into your home.

Slab leaks are also common in Texas during heavy rain. Your water and sewer lines often run underneath the concrete foundation or slab of your home, and this problem occurs when heavy rain pools in this area and causes a pipe to break. This break can cause excess water to seep into your home through the slab, resulting in wet floors and walls. Your water bill may also increase significantly, depending on the size of the leak, and having our plumbers check for slab leaks can be a helpful starting point if you cannot find a cause of this increase in your water bill

Parts of McAllen can experience flooding, and the area’s overall flood risk is growing and likely to continue increasing over the next several years. Homeowners should turn off gas, electric, and water lines if flooding is anticipated to minimize the risk of fires or other types of additional damage and have a plan for taking care of standing water and any mold or water damage that may result. Never attempt to fix your water heater on your own after flooding occurs, especially if it is still in standing water, as it presents a very high risk of fire. The McAllen area does not frequently experience other types of severe weather or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, or earthquakes.      

How Does the Water in McAllen Affect Your Plumbing?

High levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in McAllen’s water supply can cause hard water, which often leads to corrosion of your water pipes. If you frequently experience problems with hard water, installing a water softener can be an effective way to filter out excess minerals. McAllen’s water supply also has fluoride added to it, which may cause trace amounts of lead to leach into your water from your pipes and increase corrosion. Although lead pipes are not a major problem in McAllen, small amounts of lead have been detected in the water supply over the past several years.    

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in McAllen?

Although the exact amount you should expect your plumbing work to cost can have several variables, most plumbing projects cost between $79 and $576. The average cost of plumbing services is around $327, which is close to the national average. Our plumbers can also elect to charge a flat rate or by the hour, which can impact the overall cost of your project. Hourly or flat fees generally include the cost of our plumber’s labor, materials, and cleanup. You will also have an additional permit fee paid directly to the City of McAllen.

Type of Plumbing Work Needed

Remodeling your bathroom will take our plumber much longer than fixing a leaky faucet. Considering what type of work your project will involve is a good starting point for determining how much it is likely to cost. Likewise, repairs that are easy to get to will typically require less work than the plumbing that involves opening walls to access pipes or digging to reach your sewer line. 

Cost of Materials

Although we may provide all needed materials for you, you may not always want to simply go with whatever you are given. Suppose you prefer a specific appliance brand or are trying to stay within a tight budget, we will, of course, allow you to choose your materials. It can help you make your overall cost plumbing project work for you. 

Timing of Plumbing Work

Although emergency repairs may be needed from time to time and we have the resources to handle emergency services around the clock. Any repairs that fall outside our regular hours will generally cost significantly more than plumbing work, which is scheduled several days in advance. Fortunately, most plumbing problems take time to develop and will usually not require same-day repair. While you certainly may experience a burst pipe or flooded basement at some point, leaky pipes, hard water issues, and most other minor repairs can usually wait a couple of days.  

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in McAllen?

Like any aspect of building and maintaining a home, choosing high-quality plumbers like Mr. Blue Plumbing and plumbing materials can go a long way toward preventing future problems. Although it is technically legal to hire an unlicensed plumber, and you may be tempted to choose the least expensive option in McAllen, only considering cost can lead to poor quality work that may not last as long as you would like it to.

Choosing the right equipment can also help you save money over time, even if it costs more to purchase upfront. Some plumbers may choose to provide all of the pipes, replacement fixtures, and other materials, which may be more expensive or lower quality than you would like them to be. However, we will allow you to choose and purchase your materials if you would like to do so, giving you more control over selecting reputable brands and within your budget. Replacing old washing machines, dishwashers, and other appliances with energy-efficient versions is also an effective way to lower your water bill. Again, these are usually not the cheapest items to purchase, but this eco-friendly option can help you save a significant amount of money over time. 

When Should You Call the Water Utility Company in McAllen vs Hire a Plumber?

Knowing whether to call our plumbers or your water utility company is key when it comes to getting the fastest service possible. In general, you should only call our plumbers to handle problems located on your property. In contrast, McAllen Public Utility is usually responsible for issues that affect you but somewhere else located. Our plumbers usually work with the city to fix widespread issues. Calling them for the wrong type of issue will usually not help you solve your problem. Likewise, you can contact your water utility company to inform them of a widespread problem that also affects your neighbors, like a broken water main or sewage pipe.. Still, it is important to ensure that it is not on your property first to avoid potentially being charged a fee for taking up the city’s time.  

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in McAllen? 

Improperly done plumbing can lead to further damage to your home and affect the efficiency of your use of city resources. For this reason, most types of major plumbing projects require a permit to ensure that work is done correctly and according to local building codes. This permit verifies that a licensed plumber like us does work. You will usually also need to obtain one if you plan to do the work yourself to prove that your plumbing follows local codes to a potential buyer if you decide to sell your home in the future. 

In McAllen, residential and commercial plumbing permit applications can be submitted online. You will need to provide a bit of information about your project, such as what type of work you plan to have done, what fixtures your project will involve, who will be doing the work, when it will be done, and an estimate of how much you expect it to cost. Most minor repairs, such as fixing a leaky faucet, will not usually require a permit. You will likely need to obtain one for any project that involves replacing fixtures, adding new fixtures, or working on your sewer or other lines.