Like other homes in the United States, Texas homes are subject to plumbing problems. Because of climate and geography, Texas homes may experience certain problems more frequently than homes in other areas of the country. The good news is that most of these problems are fixable. Here are four plumbing problems that are common in Texas and how to fix them using plumbing supplies.
1. Hard Water
Hard water is described as water that has at least 61 milligrams of minerals per liter of water. Though nearly every state has hard water, the water in Texas is exceptionally hard, especially in cities such as Austin and San Antonio.
Hard water contributes to limescale, a crust that is laid down on fixtures and inside plumbing pipes, especially hot water lines. Limescale makes it harder for water to heat up, which increases energy bills. It shortens the working life of water-dependent appliances such as a dishwasher or a washing machine, makes laundry dull and dingy, and irritates skin.
Hard water can be defeated by installing a water softener in the plumbing system. A water softener can treat the entire house, or it can treat just one fixture. Water softeners pull calcium and magnesium out of the incoming fresh water and replace them with sodium ions. They can be easily set up by a plumber.
2. Leaking Pipes
One of the hazards of hard water is that it makes leaking pipes more likely as limescale wears the pipes down. There are many ways to stop pipes from leaking, either in the short or long term. They include the following:
• Stopping the leak by wrapping Teflon, silicone, or plumber’s tape around it. Pipe burst tape can also be used, but only on copper pipes.
• Stopping the leak through epoxy or plumber’s putty
• Applying a repair sleeve
• Stanching the leak with rubber then securing it with a hose clamp
• Turning off the water at the valve. This is usually a temporary solution.
Another way to fix leaks is to have the plumbing system repiped. This can also be done by a plumber.
3. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is easy for a layperson to diagnose. Water that used to flow from a spigot at a strong rate is reduced to a trickle. On top of the frustration of a weak spray in the shower, low water pressure can be problematic. It can lead to backups that allow pathogens to enter the drinking water. Clogged pipes or leaks somewhere in the system are common causes of low water pressure. Because of this, many instances of low water pressure can be resolved by repairing leaks and clearing clogs out of the pipes and fixtures.
4. Invasive Roots in Sewer Line
Many Texas homeowners live on property with trees and shrubs. Some of those trees have roots that are very hydrophilic, which means they aggressively seek water. They send tiny roots into the soil looking for sources of water and nutrients. If they find a crack or some other way to get into a sewer line, which is full of water and nutrients, they can invade it. Sometimes the roots are so dense they cause the pipe to burst, which leads to an expensive repair. Trees that are especially hydrophilic include willows, poplars, and jacarandas.
