Plumbing in San Marcos, TX

What are some of the reasons that my water bill might be higher than normal?

No one wants to see a water bill spike. It’s especially alarming when you aren’t quite sure what’s causing the increased expense. It could be from a running toilet, which can increase your bill by up to $100 over the course of a year. Believe it or not, that incessant drip-drip-drip can add up to 300 gallons of water wasted—from just one leaky faucet.

Are you looking to troubleshoot an unusually high water bill on your own? The first place you should head is to the great outdoors to take a closer look at your outside faucets. If one faucet isn’t completely turned off, you could be wasting up to a gallon there, which often goes unnoticed because a hose is often attached. The next place you should check is inside your toilet bowl near the flapper. You might not think to look here, but over time, these parts can become worn, which is one reason your toilet might be running.

The last spot to check out is your sprinkler system. Walk by the stations and see if any of your heads might be broken or damaged. After a full cycle, look for areas where water might be collecting, because this can indicate that you may need to adjust the time watering is scheduled at each station, or this can be a warning sign of a potential leak. If you have checked all these common problem spots but still can’t tell what’s going on, or if you need an expert to make a repair, give us a call. Our plumbers and irrigation experts will be more than happy to advise you on next steps.

Can an ABC plumber install a part or equipment for me?

You bet we can! It’s not uncommon for homeowners to purchase plumbing equipment or parts with plans to install it themselves, but soon realize they don’t have the time nor tools needed to complete the process. Or, maybe the repair isn’t as straightforward as expected. Rather than having that shiny new toilet sit in the garage for months or those fixtures in a pile on the floor for weeks, call ABC.

Our plumbers are known for providing clients with high-quality and prompt installation work on toilets, water heaters, water softeners and garbage disposals. Switching out faucets and fixtures can be a tricky task. Make the process easier by handing the job off to ABC. Even if you just need an honest second opinion about whether or not a piece of hardware should be repaired or replaced, we’re here to help you get to an informed decision.

What are some things I can do to handle clogged or slow drains?

Unclogging a drain is probably the top reason San Marcos homeowners reach out to ABC.

If you want to attempt this fix on your own, try the following:

• Remove the plug from your tub, sink or drain. Use a flashlight to perform a visual inspection to see if there are any obvious obstructions (for example, you might find hair, a child’s toy or other built-up debris). Take out anything you can locate down the drain or pipe.
• Carefully and slowly pour a small amount of enzyme-based drain opener down the drain, which works to remove obstructions you can’t see or are just further down the pipe.
• Follow the directions on the label of the drain opener or run a slow stream of hot water down the drain to see if the pipes are now clear.
• If you still have a slow or clogged drain, try using an auger to break up what’s causing your problem.

In most cases, homeowners don’t have an auger or decide that it’s time to call in the pros if a drain opener still doesn’t work. When you call an experienced plumber, you benefit from having someone quickly unclog your toilet, sink or drain and you gain peace of mind, knowing the problem will be fixed correctly and you wouldn’t have accidentally made things worse or caused damage to your pipes that will require a more extensive fix.