Frequently Asked Questions

How long do water heaters last in Houston?

A standard tank water heater typically lasts 8–12 years, while tankless units can run 20 years with maintenance. Houston's hard water can shorten that lifespan by accelerating sediment buildup, so annual flushing helps.

Should I repair or replace my water heater?

If your unit is under 8 years old and the issue is a single component, repair usually makes sense. If it's older, leaking from the tank, or failing repeatedly, replacement is the smarter long-term value. We'll give you an honest recommendation, not an upsell.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?

We don't recommend them. Store-bought chemical cleaners can corrode older Houston pipes, rarely clear the full clog, and can make professional repairs more hazardous. Mechanical clearing and hydro jetting are safer and far more effective.

How do I know if I have a main line clog?

If multiple drains back up at once, you hear gurgling from toilets, or water comes up in a tub when you run the washing machine, the clog is likely in your main sewer line — not a single fixture. That needs a professional with a camera and proper equipment.

How do you find a slab leak without breaking the floor?

We use non-invasive electronic leak detection — acoustic listening equipment, pressure testing, and line tracing — to locate the leak precisely before opening anything. Accurate detection means a smaller, cheaper repair.

Why are slab leaks so common in Houston?

Houston's expansive clay soil swells and shrinks with our wet-and-dry seasons, shifting foundations and stressing the pipes beneath the slab. Combined with slab-on-grade construction and aging copper, that makes slab leaks far more common here.

What causes sewer line problems in Houston?

The most common causes here are tree-root intrusion, aging cast iron and clay pipe, and ground shifting from our expansive clay soil. A camera inspection tells us exactly which one you're dealing with.

Do you have to dig up my whole yard?

Not always. Where the pipe condition allows, trenchless methods can repair or replace lines with minimal digging. After a camera inspection we'll tell you honestly whether trenchless is an option for your situation.

How do I know if I have a hidden leak?

Common signs are a rising water bill with no change in usage, the sound of running water when everything is off, warm spots on the floor, low pressure, or unexplained damp and musty areas. A water-meter test can confirm it.

Can a small leak really cost that much?

Yes. A hidden leak runs 24/7, wasting water and quietly damaging drywall, flooring, and even your foundation. Finding and fixing it early is almost always far cheaper than the water bills and repairs that come from letting it run.

How do I know if my home needs repiping?

Recurring leaks, discolored or rusty water, low pressure throughout the house, and visibly corroded pipes are the big signs. Homes with original galvanized or aging copper plumbing are the most common candidates.

Is repiping disruptive?

Less than most people expect. We plan the routing carefully — often through walls and the attic — to minimize wall openings, work in sections to keep your water on where possible, and clean up thoroughly. We'll walk you through the timeline before we start.

What should I do first in a plumbing emergency?

Shut off the water. For a single fixture, use its local shutoff valve; for a burst pipe or major leak, close your home's main shutoff. Then call us. Stopping the flow first limits the damage while we're on the way.

What counts as a plumbing emergency?

Burst or leaking pipes, no water, sewage backing up into the home, an overflowing water heater, or any leak actively damaging your property. If water is where it shouldn't be and you can't stop it, treat it as an emergency and call.

How often should a water heater be flushed in Houston?

Once a year. Houston's water is hard, so calcium and sediment settle in the tank faster than in most cities. An annual flush keeps the burner or elements efficient and prevents the rumbling and early tank failure that sediment causes. Tankless units should be descaled on the same yearly schedule.

What's included in a maintenance visit?

We drain and flush the tank, inspect the anode rod and replace it if it's spent, test the temperature-and-pressure relief valve, check the thermostat setting, look for leaks or corrosion at the fittings and venting, and for tankless units run a descaling cycle and clean the inlet filter. You get a plain-language report on the unit's condition.

Is maintenance worth it on an older heater?

Usually, yes — until the tank itself is leaking. A flush and a fresh anode rod can add years to a 6–10-year-old tank. If we find the tank is corroding or near the end of its life, we'll tell you honestly so you can plan a replacement instead of paying for a service that won't help.

Why does my toilet keep running?

Most running toilets come down to a worn flapper that no longer seals, a fill valve that won't shut off, or a float set too high. All three are quick repairs. A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day, so it's worth fixing promptly — it often shows up first as a higher water bill.

Should I repair my toilet or replace it?

If the toilet is structurally sound and the issue is a flapper, fill valve, flush valve, or supply line, repair is the right call. If the bowl or tank is cracked, it clogs constantly because of an old low-performance design, or it's a pre-1994 high-water-use model, replacing it with a modern high-efficiency toilet usually pays for itself in water savings.

What causes water around the base of the toilet?

Usually a failed wax ring or a toilet that has come loose from the flange, letting water seep out at every flush. Left alone it can rot the subfloor. We reset the toilet with a new seal and check the flange and bolts so it stays put.

Is a dripping faucet worth fixing?

Yes. A faucet dripping once per second wastes roughly 3,000 gallons a year, and the worn cartridge or seal that causes it only gets worse. Most drips are a fast cartridge, washer, or O-ring repair. If the faucet body itself is corroded or the finish is failing, we'll let you know replacement is the better value.

Why is the water pressure low at just one faucet?

When only one fixture is weak, the problem is local — a clogged aerator, a partially closed or failing shutoff valve, a blocked cartridge, or a kinked supply line. If pressure is low everywhere, that points to the main supply, pressure regulator, or a hidden leak instead, and we'll check that too.

Can you install a faucet I bought myself?

Absolutely. Bring the fixture you like and we'll install it, replace the supply lines and shutoff valves if they're worn, and make sure everything is sealed and code-compliant. We can also recommend and supply fixtures if you'd rather leave the shopping to us.

My disposal hums but doesn't grind — what's wrong?

The flywheel is jammed, usually by a bone, fruit pit, utensil, or fibrous scraps. Turn it off, never put your hand inside, and call us. We clear the jam safely and check the motor. If the unit trips its reset repeatedly afterward, the motor is failing and replacement is the better choice.

Is it worth repairing a garbage disposal?

Simple fixes — a jam, a tripped reset, a loose drain connection, or a worn sink-flange seal — are worth repairing. If the motor is burned out or the housing is leaking from the bottom, the unit is done; disposals aren't rebuilt economically, and a new one typically installs in under an hour.

What should never go down a disposal?

Grease and oil, fibrous vegetables like celery and corn husks, coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta and rice that swell, bones, and fruit pits. These are the most common causes of the jams and clogged kitchen drains we see across Houston.

What types of commercial properties do you serve?

Restaurants and commercial kitchens, retail stores, offices, medical and dental suites, apartment and multi-family communities, churches, and light industrial buildings across the Houston area. We also work with general contractors and property managers on new construction and tenant build-outs.

Can you work around our business hours?

Yes. We schedule disruptive work — drain jetting, water heater swaps, sewer repairs — before opening, after close, or overnight when needed, and we're available 24/7 for emergencies that can't wait.

Do you handle new-construction plumbing?

Yes. Hugo Plumbing does ground rough-in, top-out, and finish plumbing for new commercial construction and remodels, working from your plans and coordinating with the GC and inspectors. See our article on new-construction plumbing in Houston for how the process works.