plumbing tips Archives | Legacy Plumbing

Know This Before Paying For A Foundation Repair

Posted on: August 31, 2020

Repairing foundation damage can be expensive. Unfortunately, foundation issues are common in North Texas. Most of the houses built directly in the area north of Dallas have a slab foundation. In addition, many of the areas where these houses are located have unstable soil. If the site wasn’t well prepared before the development was built, it can lead to foundation issues years after the home was constructed.

If you find yourself needing foundation repair for your slab home, then you also need to know about how this affects your home’s plumbing systems running underneath the slab. Knowing about this ahead of time will help you make the right decisions, take the right steps in the right order, and not be taken by surprise during the whole process. In this article, we’re going to give a short overview of the stages in foundation repair; discuss how this affects the plumbing; and talk about the water and sewer tests that need to be run before and after the repair.

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Plumbing Maintenance Tips For Fall

Posted on: September 20, 2016

As the warm weather of the summer months starts to ebb and cooler days draw near, homeowners around Texas are beginning to think about fall plumbing maintenance.

While many things go into keeping your home in great condition, fall plumbing maintenance is one of the most critical components of a cozy, happy winter home. Read on to learn more about how you can care for your plumbing this fall.

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7 Tips for Finding the Right Plumber

Posted on: December 4, 2013

If your water heater is acting up, garbage disposal is backed up, and drains are clogged (hopefully not all on the same day), you don’t have time to deliberate over finding the perfect plumber. But making a rash decision about the plumber you employ could result in more problems down the road.

You want to find a plumber whose advice you can trust and who offers long-term results. While you can’t avoid plumbing problems entirely, you can avoid having to fix the same problem several times.

We know that price is an important part of making your decision, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Sometimes plumbing companies offer the lowest possible price over the phone but then add on charges once they get to your home and properly inspect the problem.

So how do you find the right plumber for your home? Here are seven tips to help you make your decision:

Make sure your plumber is licensed and insured

This goes without saying but is the most important factor in finding the right plumber so bears repeating. Ask if they are licensed and make sure they carry insurance in the case of a catastrophe.

Ask how long they have been in business for

As with most services, you want someone with the most experience performing repairs on your home. A plumbing company that has been established for decades is likely to employ knowledgeable plumbers and have a well-known reputation. They’re also less likely to disappear on you halfway through your repair.

Inquire about written estimates

A reputable plumber often won’t give you an estimate until they have properly assessed the problem in your home. Once the problem has been determined but before any work is performed, inquire about a written estimate that includes labor and part costs.

Check reviews and references

When making your decision, don’t rely on the website or advertisement of the plumbing company alone. A good aspect of the Internet is that it forces businesses to be transparent about their services. If a plumber offers subpar work, a quick Google search will reveal past customer experience.

You can also check Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau for reviews.

Compare competition

You may not know much about plumbing when looking for a plumber, but you certainly know how to look for a company that delivers more than others in their industry. Check to see if the plumbing company has been given awards voted for by their industry and customers. Another good indication of the plumbing company’s values is to see if they take an active part in their community or regularly shares their knowledge online.

Personal referrals

Ask your friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they have a go-to plumber or have had positive experiences with a local plumbing company. Often, asking someone you trust for a referral is how you find a hidden gem.

Professional referrals

Don’t be afraid to ask you’re A/C technician, electrician, or construction worker for a referral. Often they will know the best plumbers in your area and mentioning their name may result in a discount!

According to a July 2004 survey conducted for Kohler, about 28 million U.S. households experience a toilet clog each month. 10% of U.S. households have leaks that waste 90 gallons (and more) per day. The IBHS found in a study that plumbing pipes and drain systems were the leading cause of interior water damage, with the average incident costing around $5,000. We’re not telling you this to make you nervous or have you checking your plumbing every 5 minutes, we’re letting you know why it’s important to have the best plumber in Plano on call!

You may be thinking “well that’s all well and good, but how do I know when I have found the best plumber in Plano, who can handle any plumbing emergency I may have?” We’re glad you asked, because we’ve compiled some tips and strategies that will help you identify the best plumbers in Plano (or anywhere else in the U.S. really)!

How to Identify the Best Plano, TX Plumbers

Start looking now. Finding the best Plano TX plumber is easier when you have time to do the necessary research. Eventually something in your home will spring a leak or wear out, so make sure you’ve selected a reliable plumber while you have the time (not when you’re scrambling to search the phone book as your house fills up with water).
Ask your friends and family. Talk to family members or neighbors about their experiences with local plumbers. They will probably be more than happy to share the good and bad encounters with plumbers, and will steer you clear of suspicious or unreliable plumbing companies.
Ask a trusted professional. If you’ve relied on a trusted HVAC or electrical contractor over the years, ask them for a recommendation. Reputable pros are always glad to share references and your inquiry might net a discount on an introductory service call.
Check online reviews. Scanning the local yellow pages might get you contact numbers, but if you head online and search for local plumbers you’re going to find a plethora of local listing sites that include reviews and recommendations (or warnings) along with the contact information. Check out online review sites that consolidate positive and negative consumer reviews about local plumbers, because the more feedback the company has, the more accurate the general assessment of their service will be.
Check the local Better Business Bureau and other business organizations. Sometimes it’s beneficial to check with local business organizations to verify the details of the plumbing companies you’ve found. Local business organizations typically hold their members to higher standards, so if the company you’re checking on is included in the Better Business Bureau or other organizations’ listings, that is a solid vote of confidence in their service.
Contact the plumbing companies that interest you. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, fill out emails and contact forms of different Plano plumbers. An established business knows that you want an overview of its services, so most companies will offer a contact form, email, or phone number that is open to calls from people who just want preliminary info. This is how you can find out how many years of experience the plumber brings to the jobs, the area of service they cover, and if they have any specials or discounts.

You can (and should) spend time doing your research and verifying information on local plumbers, but we’d like to offer you a shortcut!

Try Legacy Plumbing (we’ve got the best plumbers in Plano, TX!)

We’ve got a whopping 5 out of 5 stars on Google reviews, from more than 32 people who have used Legacy Plumbing services. Customers have rated us highly, praising our plumbers with recommendations like “he was up front with all the cost and answered the many questions I had. I feel I now have my own personal plumber” and “They had the whole job done quickly and correctly. They even cleaned the toilet after completing the repairs and I asked them about a cleaner they were using and they cleaned some tough stains off another toilet.. Now that is service!”

Along with high reviews and glowing recommendations, Legacy Plumbing is one of the few established Plano TX plumber companies that posts prices online. Our Plumbing Repairs and Installations page outlines most residential jobs along with descriptions and estimated costs. We’re happy to arrange an appointment, assess a project’s requirements on-site, and work up an accurate job quote. Our detailed explanation of all your options helps you make smart decisions based on reliable, professional input.

Don’t settle for anything less than the best! Contact Legacy Plumbing and rest easy knowing all your plumbing needs and emergencies are covered by the best plumbers in Plano, TX!

Seasonal Plumbing Tips: Preventative Measures For Your Home

Posted on: November 8, 2013

While maintenance cannot eliminate the chance of you having a plumbing problem, it can help you reduce the risk of unnecessary breakdowns. Did you know that your plumbing is susceptible to different problems depending on the time of the year?

Preparing your pipes each season can help prevent damage to your home. We’ve rounded up some of the best seasonal plumbing tips to help you protect your plumbing.

Fall

Fall welcomes a drop in temperature to help remind us of the coming winter months. By preparing your pipes now, you can help reduce the chance of problems when chillier weather descends.

Here are some of preventative measures you can take in your home:

Check to make sure outside faucets aren’t leaking or dripping. If you can’t make the necessary repairs, contact a plumber as cooler weather could cause the pipes to freeze. Rising water pressure would then cause cracks and lead to serious damage or flooding.
Seal window and door leaks to reduce cold air penetration
Test your water pressure relief valve. If your water heater is over five years old and has never been checked, call a plumber to check for corroded older valves or stuck seals. Also make sure your water heater’s thermostat is set at 120°F
Shut off main water valves when leaving the house for extended periods

Winter

The winter months also call for holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving and Christmas can see a surge of guests at your house, putting more strain on your plumbing. To prevent inconvenient plumbing disasters when your home is filled with family and friends, follow some of these tips.

Avoid pouring fats, hard-to-grind waster and cooking oil down your garbage disposal. These items cause your garbage disposal to break and your sink to clog.
Run your washing machine and dishwasher at night. This conserves hot water and maintains good water pressure for your guests.
Spread out showers throughout the day to help conserve hot water

To prevent pipes from freezing:

Fit pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping
Try to ensure pipes are installed in insulted places and buried below ground

If a pipe freezes:

Turn off the water main line to prevent flooding
Call a plumber at Legacy Plumbing – never attempt to fix a frozen pipe by yourself.

Spring

While spring brings nicer weather unlikely to damage your pipes, it’s also the perfect opportunity to do a little cleaning of your plumbing system. Here are some of the ways you can help protect your plumbing:

Check for faucet leaks and drips
Make sure your toilets flush properly. If you have to hold down the handle or jiggle it, you may have to replace worn parts. It is an inexpensive fix that will cut out annoyances and save you money.
Check your water heater. Make sure the temperature is set at 120°F and check the first four serial numbers to see what year and month it was made. If it’s over 15 years old, consider replacing it.
Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris

Summer

Summer is typically the time of year when most people buy homes. Before you buy your home, you should consider getting a professional plumbing inspection. You can also visually inspect a potential home with these tips.

Survey the inside of cabinets for water damage. Use a flashlight to check for stains, leaks or warped cabinet bottoms.
Run water from two different rooms. If running water in the kitchen sink and the bathtub causes a visible reduction in water volume, the piping may need to be replaced.
Check the floor around your toilet and the wall connected to your bathtub. Soft floors and walls suggest that water is creating damage and floor/walls is rotting or weakened.
Check exposed plumbing for signs of leaking.

These tips are provided to help you prevent unnecessary damage to your plumbing, but they don’t replace the experience or expertise of a professional plumber. If you see anything noticeably wrong with the plumbing in your home or are experiencing problems, contact Legacy Plumbing for a professional assessment of your plumbing.

More to think about:

Let’s face it, nobody wants to spend more than they have to on plumbing repair and the best way to save money is to never need any repairs! Well, it’s not exactly plausible that you’ll never need any repairs, but if you practice some preventative plumbing maintenance, you can get the most life out of your plumbing.

There are a lot of things that people simply overlook when it comes to keeping a fully-functional plumbing system. Below are a few steps that you can take to make sure that you get the most life out of your plumbing.

Grease Buildup – One of the number one causes for plumbing repair is the buildup of grease in your drains. The best way to avoid this issue is to discard your grease in a glass jar or plastic container. Not only will you be saving yourself money, you’ll be helping out the environment as well.

Clogged Drains -Yet another common issue is the collection of hair clogging up drains. This is more common with people who have long hair, and it can be a bit of a pain. The best way to fix this issue is to place a screen in the drain to prevent any hair from entering. The finer the screen, the better as it will prevent the most hair from getting through into your drain and creating a clog.

Routine Check-Ups – A great way to prevent problems in your plumbing is by having a professional plumber come out for a routine checkup. Sure, it may seem a bit pointless to call a plumber when you don’t have any problems, but you can save a lot of money by catching the issues before they start.

Weather Changes – A lot of homeowners will start to notice that they have a lot of issues with their plumbing when the weather starts getting cold. That’s because pipes are likely to freeze in very cold temperatures. To prevent this, make sure that your pipes are properly insulated and retain warmth. Repair of frozen pipes can be very pricey, so it’s very important that you ensure that your pipes are well insulated before the temperature begins to drop.

With these preventative plumbing maintenance tips, you should be able to save yourself a lot of time and money.