AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Paris, TX

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Paris?

Plumbing problems are an inevitable part of owning a home in Paris. While older homes are more prone to issues than newer homes, plumbing issues can occur in every home. Normal wear and tear on your plumbing system, aging fixtures, and heavy use of your plumbing fixtures and overall system can all lead to plumbing issues. We’ve seen and fixed all types of plumbing problems, big and small alike. Here are some of the most common plumbing issues to watch out for in Paris:

Clogged Shower Drains

Clogs are one of the most common problems to homeowners in Paris, TX. The causes of clogs are usually coming from hair residue, soap scum, and even small objects that go in your pipes and block-up your shower. If you notice signs of clog drains, call us immediately.

Low Water Pressure

Homeowners are well aware of the low water pressure issues all over the City of Paris. It is important to know if the problem is coming from the pipes inside your home or valve issues from Paris’ municipal water supply. You can call a professional plumber like us to find the source of the problem and have it fixed.

Leaking Pipes

Another issue we face in Paris is leaks in pipes. It has been proven to cause serious problems to you and your home. Leaking pipes, when ignored long enough, can destroy your home and can cause flooding. Call us immediately at any sign of leaks. If we found out that the leak is in the street or behind the curb, call the Paris City Government and they will be sending a staff member within two hours to look at the leak.

Like most things, homeowners in Paris quick action is usually the key to keeping costs down. If you notice any of these plumbing issues, the best thing you can do is call us to come out and take a look. Ignoring plumbing issues can lead to large-scale water damage and sewage backup, costing you thousands of dollars. 

How Does the Water in Paris Affect Your Plumbing?

The city of Paris provides residents with surface water from Pat Mayse Lake and Lake Crook. Water quality in Paris is one of the best in Texas and is considered to be moderately hard. Water hardness refers to the amount of naturally occurring minerals, such as copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium, present in the water. While hard water is perfectly safe to drink, the excess minerals in this type of water will have detrimental effects on your plumbing system. As hard water travels through your pipes, fixtures, or showerheads, the minerals in hard water accumulate, lowering their efficiency. You may begin to notice a white film or stubborn deposits that are difficult to scrub away on your plumbing fixtures.

Unfortunately, ugly scale buildup isn’t the only damage hard water leaves on your plumbing. It also builds up inside your pipes, narrowing them, reducing water flow, and causing clogs. If your pipe becomes clogged, excess water or waste materials will become trapped in the plumbing line. As the pressure in the pipe increases, a crack will begin to form, resulting in leaks that can damage your home. And since a large quantity of water is being wasted due to the leaks, you will begin to notice drastic increases in your water or utility bills.

Mineral deposits quickly corrode pipes and water-dependent appliances. This means that you’ll need to repair your plumbing system and other fixtures more frequently. Hard water is especially damaging to your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine. To protect your plumbing system, we recommend installing a water softener in your Paris home. The softener will remove all the minerals in your water.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Paris?

When your plumbing system malfunctions, you may be tempted to handle the issue on your own. This is, however, not recommended, considering that most plumbing problems are not easy to fix, and you may end up messing with the whole system. Hiring a professional, licensed plumber like us, means that the job is done right the first time.

In Paris, the average flat-rate cost of hiring us is $372, ranging between $90 and $655. We may also charge by the hour for their labor. The average hourly rate in Paris ranges anywhere from $45-$165 per hour. This may be in addition to the costs of materials, or it may be included in the total cost. Be sure to ask for a breakdown of exactly what you are paying for. The price range varies widely due to several factors, including:

Complexity of the Job

As with most trades, plumbing prices depend on the task at hand. Fixing a leaking tap or doing simple toilet repairs will cost you less than repairing major plumbing problems that require digging and cutting into walls. You can expect to pay much more for complex plumbing projects, such as lead pipe replacement (which requires a special removal process known as abatement), installations of a natural gas line, a water main, sewer line, or other similar services requiring a higher-level skill set.

Plumber Expertise 

Additionally, our experience level and expertise is a factor in pricing. Because plumbing is a highly specialized skill requiring thousands of hours to master, there are three types of plumbers: apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber. An apprentice often charges $20-$40 per hour and is under the guidance of a journeyman or master plumber, generally performing relatively simple tasks such as a clog. A journeyman can work alone and command a higher pay rate ($45-$90 per hour). Master plumbers are the most experienced, handling complex projects, like new installations and gas line repairs, and may charge as much as $120 per hour for their work. We will send out the appropriately skilled worker depending on the complexity of the job. 

Urgency 

If you have a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe and water leaking all over the floor, you should immediately call us. Off-hour repairs are more expensive than if you make an appointment during regular business hours, and you might have to incur an additional $70 to $100 per hour, on top of the regular plumbing labor rate for an emergency. Other plumbers will double or triple the hourly rate depending on if it’s a holiday, weekend, or odd time of the day. Your emergency repair can end up costing you up to $400, which is exclusive of the needed materials.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Paris?

It’s no doubt that better plumbing will save you money. The first way you can save yourself money is through preventative plumbing maintenance. Small leaks or malfunctioning appliances can quickly add to your monthly utility bills. Having your home’s plumbing system checked for problems can save you money on utilities and emergency plumbing calls in the long run. Here are other ways better plumbing can help you save money in Paris.

Replace Your Pipes

Nothing lasts forever including the pipes inside your house. Over time, older pipes begin to rust and corrode. Unless you replace your plumbing, you’re eventually going to get leaks and possibly a flood of water or raw sewage into your home that causes thousands of dollars in damage to your building and belongings. Old piping can also cause low water pressure and a fluctuation in water temperature by affecting the regulating valve, causing your water to switch from cold to scalding quickly. 

Replacing the old with new pipes can improve the safety and performance of your home’s plumbing system. You will have increased water pressure, healthy and clean water for your family, reduced clogs, and you will also reduce the risk of leaks. We can replace your old pipes with CPVC, PEX, or copper pipes, which will hold up well for several decades.

Upgrade Your Water Heater

One of the best ways to lower your utility bills is to replace a hot water tank over ten years old. Older models are a lot less efficient, increasing your electric and gas bill each month. Installing an on-demand or tankless water heater can significantly reduce your water and energy bill. Because you’re only using water heated as you need it, there is no need to keep stored water warm. Tankless water heaters also last longer than traditional heaters, even up to 20 years.

Install Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures such as showerheads, toilets, faucets, and sinks goes a long way in reducing your water consumption and saving you hundreds of dollars on your water bill. For example, the average showerhead has a water flow of 2.5 gallons per minute, so for an eight-minute shower, you use more than 16 gallons of water. By installing low-flow showerheads, you can decrease your water consumption by 40% or more! This not only conserves water, but it cuts down on your monthly water bill providing significant end-of-year savings. 

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

When you have a water-related problem, it can be challenging deciding who to call between your water utility company and us. Every situation is different, of course, but here are some general rules.

If you have low water pressure, the problem can be caused by a simple thing, like a blocked faucet or closed shut-off valve. It can also be caused by more pressing issues such as water leaks and blockages. Calling us will help you pinpoint and fix the cause of your low water pressure and help you identify and address other issues that could cause low water pressure in the future.

You should call your water utility company if the water goes out entirely in your home. This is often because of water outages in your area, and the utility company will be able to tell you when the water will return. Also, you should call your utility company if you notice a leak in the road outside your home, since the company is responsible for fixing leaks and damage that happen outside of your property boundaries.

Some water meter problems also need to be serviced by your utility company. If your meter isn’t working, the problem is between the water lines and your meter, and you should call your water company to resolve the issue. However, if your water bill is higher than usual and you notice your meter turning more than expected, you likely have a water leak in your plumbing. In this case, calling us is your best bet as we will diagnose and repair the problem. Some water utility companies offer creditor bill adjustments due to a leak, so it may be worth calling your utility company to see if they can make a leak adjustment for you.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Paris?

The city of Paris may require plumbing permits before specific projects can begin. This ensures that the work complies with the city codes and protects you as the homeowner against substandard work. The requirement for a plumbing permit largely depends on the scope of the project. Here are instances when you need permits for plumbing in Paris: 

• Sewer installations, repairs, or replacement
• Installing a water heater
• Water main installation 
• Drain line replacements

By working with professional plumbers like us, you will benefit from our knowledge of plumbing permits to ensure your plumbing project is done right, will be safe, and will last.