AFFORDABLE PLUMBING SERVICE IN Victoria, TX

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Victoria?

Located just half an hour inland, Victoria is at moderate risk for hurricanes. Although the city is somewhat less likely to experience severe hurricane damage than the coastline, Victoria has experienced 37 hurricanes of varying sizes since 1930. Hurricanes can cause leaks, water heater malfunction, and problems getting toilets to drain appropriately if strong winds and flooding damage get debris into your plumbing.

However, there are other issues that are far more common, and those are what we’re going to address below:

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues in Texas. Typically caused by a slow buildup of hair, food, soap, toothpaste, and other materials in your drains, coupled with hard water, over time, clogged drains can lead to various issues. Blocked drains can range from a minor annoyance to a plumbing emergency. Some DIY options for dealing with a minor clogged drain instead of immediately calling us include boiling water, baking soda, and a plunger. Still, it is usually best to contact us so we can help you with it.

Low Water Pressure Due to Mineral Buildup or Leaks

Hard water has a surplus of minerals that get deposited inside of pipes over time. This buildup restricts the flow of water from the source to your tap, and that leads to low water pressure.

However, low water pressure could also mean that you have a leak. Leaks can decrease the efficiency of your home’s water use, run up your utility bill, and potentially damage your sinks, floors, or your belongings if they go undetected and unfixed for long enough. Although most leaks do not immediately cause significant damage, they will need to be repaired within a reasonable amount of time to prevent further problems. If you can’t find the leak yourself, let us help you.

Malfunctioning Appliances

Mineral buildup can also occur inside appliances, which makes them less efficient and shortens their lifespan. If you’ve noticed a spike in your energy bill and if some of your appliances, like your dishwasher, washing machine, and heaters malfunction occasionally, then this is probably the reason why. With heaters, a layer of sediment can form that makes it more difficult for the water to heat up. Additionally, this layer also prevents heat from escaping when it needs to, causing the heater to overheat. 

How Does the Water in Victoria Affect Your Plumbing?

Hard water is a common problem in the Victoria area that can adversely affect your body and your plumbing. Hard water contains high levels of magnesium, calcium, and other elements that can lead to excessive buildup inside your pipes, water heaters, and other fixtures over time. This white or yellow flaky buildup is a significant cause of various common plumbing problems, such as corrosion, leaky pipes, clogged drains, and low water pressure. Many of these problems can cause your water heater to fail or lead to other permanent fixture damage over time if they are not taken care of, and hard water can also be rough on your skin, hair, clothes, and dishes.

Fortunately, adding a water softener to your home is a simple way to combat this problem. Water softeners use a particular salt to minimize the presence and effects of calcium, magnesium, and other foreign materials that lead to hard water. Although it is possible to install a water softener yourself, it is often better to have this done by a professional to ensure that it is set up correctly. We can even restock your salt for you when you run low to keep your results consistent.

How Much Does Plumbing Usually Cost in Victoria?

Plumbing in Victoria generally ranges from $88 to $635, with an average cost of $361 per repair or new project. These figures cover labor costs, materials and equipment, project costs, and cleanup needs associated with plumbing service. However, they do not cover any permit or inspection fees, as these are paid directly to the City of Victoria. 

Type of Project

Basic repairs that are easy to reach tend to be cheaper than repairs that are hard to get to or major overhauls of your plumbing equipment. Quick fixes that are easy to do and do not require specialized equipment require lower labor costs than complex projects. The type of plumbing work you need to have done also affects whether you need to purchase a permit and building inspection from the City of Victoria or not, and projects that require these additional costs can be much more expensive than repairs that do not.

Materials Used

We usually provide any materials needed for repairs and include the cost of them in our services, but you may also purchase your own if you choose to. This may be a practical option if you’re particular about the materials that you want and we can’t offer you an alternative that you like.

Timing of Repair

We usually have someone on call 24/7 and will fix your burst pipe as soon as it floods your kitchen, but it isn’t going to be cheap. Regular maintenance of your pipes and fixtures can help you minimize costly emergencies that you could have avoided if you had noticed a potential problem a few days earlier.

Can Better Plumbing Save You Money in Victoria?

Better plumbing can save you money in Victoria, especially when you have more efficient fixtures. The EPA recommends WaterSense-labeled fixtures, and guarantees that it uses at least 20% less water than regular ones.

The average family spends over $1,000 per year in water costs, but with the use of WaterSense and Energy Star qualified appliances, you can save over $300.

Quality plumbing service is an essential aspect of saving money in the long run. Having minor issues taken care of while they are still relatively easy to manage increases the lifespan of your pipes and fixtures and decreases your likelihood of experiencing major plumbing emergencies. Hiring us may cost a bit more upfront, but we are more thorough and less likely to cause additional problems that come from shoddy work.

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

Knowing whether to call us or your water utility company is a must for receiving timely service and avoiding unnecessary fees. In general, we handle problems that are confined to your property. If you notice a sudden unexplainable spike in your water bill and can’t find the source, then we can help you.

In contrast, the City of Victoria Water Utilities addresses issues located somewhere other than your property and affects multiple homes on your street or in your neighborhood. If you give them a call and it turns out that the problem is on your side of the water meter, the water utility company may charge a fee for sending their team out.

When Do You Need Permits for Plumbing Service in Victoria?

Because plumbing services and certain other types of home improvement projects can have an impact on the quality and amount of city resources your home uses, several categories of projects require a permit before getting started. In plumbing, work that is done poorly may not follow local code requirements and could result in additional problems for the homeowner. For this reason, the City requires permits regardless of whether you intend to work on a project yourself or work with our team. 

In Victoria, residents need to obtain a building permit from the Development Center before beginning any major plumbing work within the city limits. You will need to submit specific details about what you plan to do so the City can ensure that your plans align with local code requirements. Certain types of minor repairs are exempt from this requirement, such as repairing or replacing your faucet or other plumbing fixtures and repairing your water, sewer, or drain line as long as your project does not involve replacing the entire line. These requirements and exemptions apply to plumbing companies, independent contractors, and homeowners working on projects in their own homes. 

The building permit also covers electrical and mechanical work, natural gas, pools, irrigation systems, driveways, and several other categories. This makes it easy to use the same type of permit for major remodeling projects that utilize multiple classes as long as we complete all the work at roughly the same time.