A plumbing problem is stressful for anyone, and more so when the budget does not stretch. Retirees and people on a fixed income often tell us the same thing: they are not afraid of the repair, they are afraid of the surprise. This guide is about removing the surprise. It explains what can wait and what cannot, how to keep small problems from turning into big ones, how to spot a bad deal, and what to ask before anyone starts work.

Quick answer

On a fixed income, the best savings come from knowing which plumbing problems are urgent and which can wait, fixing small leaks before they cause damage, doing a few cheap maintenance jobs yearly, getting a clear price in advance, checking that the plumber is licensed, and refusing pressure to agree on the spot. Urgent means anything that floods, has no water at all, backs sewage into the house, or smells of gas. A dripping faucet or a slow drain can usually be scheduled.

Key takeaways
  • Know the three things to do in any emergency: where the main water shutoff is, where each fixture shutoff is, and who to call.
  • A small leak is the most expensive problem you can leave alone. It rots wood and raises the water bill every day.
  • Ask for the price in writing or in plain words before work starts, and approve it. A trustworthy plumber expects that.
  • Check the license number. Anyone doing plumbing in Texas should be able to give it, and it can be looked up on the state board website.
  • Many cities, counties and non-profit groups run home repair help for older homeowners. It is worth asking.

Sort the problem first: urgent or can wait

The most expensive plumbing decision is the panicked one. Before you call anyone, place the problem in one of three groups.

Call right away

  • Water running where it should not be and you cannot stop it
  • A burst pipe or a ceiling that is dripping or sagging
  • Sewage backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain
  • No water at all
  • The smell of gas, in which case leave the house and call 911 or the gas utility from outside, then call a plumber once it is safe

Fix this week

  • A toilet that runs all the time
  • A water heater that leaks a little around the base
  • A drain that is clearly slowing down
  • A faucet or valve that drips
  • A shutoff that will not turn

Can be planned

  • A dripping outdoor tap
  • A faucet that is only stiff
  • Fixtures you would like to replace, for comfort, appearance or ease of use

Putting the problem in the right group saves money in both directions. It stops you paying emergency prices for something that can wait, and it stops you waiting on something that is quietly doing damage.

The cheap things worth doing every year

None of these needs a plumber, and each prevents a repair that does.

  1. Find your main water shutoff and turn it off and on once to make sure it still moves. Make sure someone else in the house or a neighbor knows where it is.
  2. Check under every sink and behind each toilet for dampness or drips. Do it with your hand, not just your eyes.
  3. Look at the washing machine hoses. Rubber hoses can burst. Braided metal ones last longer and are inexpensive.
  4. Listen to the toilet. If it runs after flushing, the flapper is usually worn. It is one of the cheapest fixes in the house, and a running toilet can add a lot to a bill.
  5. Read the water meter when no water is in use, wait ten minutes and read it again. If it moves, you have a leak.
  6. Flush the water heater once a year if you are able, or ask someone to, and ask a plumber to look at the relief valve and the pipe from it.
  7. Know where the cleanout is in your yard, in case a drain backs up. Our guide on finding your sewer cleanout explains how.
  8. Replace a rusty shutoff valve or a corroded supply line when you notice it. It is much cheaper before it fails.

Avoid the expensive failures

A few jobs cost far more when they are left to fail.

  • A water heater that is old. A leaking tank in an attic or a closet can ruin a ceiling or a floor. If yours is old and rusted, replacing it on your schedule is cheaper than after it floods.
  • A slow drain that is ignored. A partial clog becomes a full backup, often at an awkward time. Dealing with it early is cheaper.
  • A leak behind a wall. If your water bill has gone up and nothing looks wrong, look for the leak. Our guide on a water bill that went up with nothing leaking walks through it.
  • Old pipe that has been patched many times. Repeated repairs add up, and at some point replacing a section costs less than repairing it a fourth time.

How to spot a bad deal

Most plumbers are honest, and a few are not. Warning signs include:

  • Someone at your door who says they noticed a problem and can fix it today, or who knocked after a storm. Do not let them in. Call a company you chose.
  • A price that changes once the work has started, with no explanation and no chance for you to say no.
  • Pressure to decide now, or a "today only" price.
  • No license number, or one the person is reluctant to give. In Texas, plumbing work is done under a Responsible Master Plumber license, and you can check a number on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website.
  • A cash-only demand with no written work order or invoice.
  • Replacing everything when one part has failed, with no explanation of why.
  • No willingness to show you the part that failed or the damage.

A good plumber looks, explains in plain terms, gives you a price, answers your questions and lets you decide. If you want a second opinion, it is reasonable to ask for one.

What to ask before work starts

  • What is wrong, and can you show me?
  • Is this urgent, or can it wait?
  • What will it cost, in total, before you begin?
  • Is there a cheaper way that will hold, and a better way that will last? What is the difference?
  • Do I need a permit, and who gets it?
  • Will I get a written work order and invoice?
  • What is your license number?

Royal Flush Affordable Plumbing gives a price before work starts and leaves a written work order and invoice. We work under Texas Responsible Master Plumber License RMPL #42403. We also publish our current coupons on the special offers page, so it is worth looking there before you book.

Help beyond the plumber

Depending on where you live and your circumstances, there may be help with the cost of essential home repairs. Possibilities worth asking about include:

  • Your city or county housing or community development department, which sometimes runs repair programs for lower-income or older homeowners
  • Area agencies on aging, and local senior service centers
  • Faith-based and non-profit groups that organize repairs
  • Your homeowner's insurance, if the damage came from a covered event such as a sudden burst pipe
  • Family or neighbors who can help you check, monitor and arrange work

We cannot tell you what you qualify for, since programs change and each has its own rules, but a phone call to one of these costs nothing. If a plumber's written work order is needed for an application, we provide one.

Comfort and safety upgrades worth considering

If you or someone in the house has trouble with stairs, balance or grip, a few plumbing changes make life easier and safer, and they are often small jobs:

  • A taller toilet, which is easier to sit on and rise from
  • Lever-style faucet handles, which are easier on the hands than round knobs
  • A handheld shower head on a slide bar
  • A properly installed walk-in or low-threshold shower, which is a larger project to plan
  • Anti-scald protection and a sensible water temperature, with the water heater set so the hot tap does not scald

Ask the plumber what is possible in your bathroom before you commit to anything, and about the cost of each option separately.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out if a plumber is licensed in Texas?

Ask for the license number and look it up on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website. A legitimate plumbing company will give it freely, and it should appear on their invoices and paperwork.

Can I get help paying for plumbing repairs?

Sometimes. City and county housing departments, area agencies on aging and local non-profit groups run repair help for some older and lower-income homeowners. Programs and rules differ and change, so ask the organization directly.

Should I let a stranger who knocks on my door look at my plumbing?

No. Door-to-door offers of repairs are a common source of scams, especially after storms. Close the door politely and call a company you have chosen and checked.

How can I tell whether a leak is bigger than it looks?

Check the water meter when nothing is running. If the dial moves, water is escaping somewhere. A water bill that has jumped for no reason, or a stain, a soft spot or a musty smell, are other signs.

Is it cheaper to wait to fix a small leak?

Almost never. A small leak keeps running, raises the bill and can damage wood and drywall, which makes the repair larger. Fix it when you can, or turn it off at the shutoff until you can.

What should I do about an old water heater?

If it is old, rusty or leaking, plan to replace it on your own terms. A leaking tank in an attic or closet can cause far more damage than the heater costs. A plumber can look at it and tell you honestly how long it is likely to last.

Royal Flush Affordable Plumbing
Royal Flush Affordable Plumbing

Licensed Houston plumbers since 2007. Residential, commercial and industrial plumbing. Upfront pricing, no hidden charges.