Residential Plumbing
Maintenance

Taking care of your plumbing in Bexar, Comal, & Kendall County

Residential Plumbing Maintenance

Taking care of your plumbing system with routine maintenance takes just a few minutes each year, yet can save you thousands in repairs.  When your plumbing system fails, it can flood your home with hundreds of  gallons of water in just a short time.  Or it can create a biohazard with backed up waste water.

Protecting your home is often just a matter of taking a few preventative steps before emergencies happen.

Now, we’re not saying emergencies still won’t happen, because plumbing can be unpredictable.  But we are saying many emergencies can be prevented with a little attention.

Let’s take a look at the maintenance your residential plumbing system needs.

Start with a Plan (Not a Panic)

Major home systems don’t usually fail overnight—they wear down over time.

Your water heater, pipes, fixtures, and sewer lines all have expected lifespans. Knowing when to maintain, repair, or replace them helps you:

  • Avoid surprise breakdowns
  • Prevent water damage
  • Budget for future upgrades
  • Extend the life of your home’s systems

A simple maintenance calendar can save you thousands in unexpected repairs.

Annual Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance on your plumbing system may prevent emergency situations.  During a routine maintenance check, you may discover a small leak or a stuck shut-off valve.  Repairing these items immediately can help protect your home from damage during a castrophic failure of a water heater, supply line, or other plumbing fixture.

Download our Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for a straightforward, easy to use, annual checklist.

Monthly Plumbing Maintenance

1. Check for Plumbing Leaks

Walk through your home and look for:

  • Dripping faucets
  • Water stains under sinks
  • Running toilets
  • Musty odors

Even a small leak can waste water and lead to hidden damage.

2. Monitor Water Pressure

High water pressure (above 80 PSI) can silently damage:

  • Pipes
  • Water heaters
  • Fixtures

If your pressure seems strong or inconsistent, it may be time for a pressure check or regulator adjustment.

3. Inspect Drains for Early Warning Signs

Pay attention to:

  • Slow draining sinks or tubs
  • Gurgling sounds
  • Recurring clogs

These are often early signs of buildup—or even sewer line issues.

Customer Testimonial

"Olde Town Plumbing is excellent! Our water heater went out Friday night and I called first thing Saturday morning. They were booked for the day but worked us in late afternoon. We had a new water heater and hot water by dinner time! Very fair price and great installation. Excellent communication through the entire process!"

Quarterly Plumbing Maintenance

1. Treat and Maintain Your Drains

Routine drain care helps prevent buildup from:

  • Grease
  • Soap scum
  • Hair

Safe, professional-grade treatments can keep your system flowing freely and reduce the risk of major clogs.

2. Check Your Water Softener (If Installed)

In the Texas Hill Country, hard water is common.

Make sure your system:

  • Has adequate salt levels
  • Is cycling properly

A properly functioning softener protects your pipes, fixtures, and appliances from mineral buildup.

3. Inspect Outdoor Plumbing

Check:

  • Hose bibs
  • Irrigation connections
  • Exterior drains

Small leaks outside can waste significant water and damage your foundation over time.

Annual Plumbing Maintenance

1. Flush and Service Your Water Heater

Sediment buildup is one of the leading causes of water heater failure.

Annual maintenance helps:

  • Improve efficiency
  • Extend lifespan
  • Prevent unexpected leaks

Professional service ensures it’s done safely and thoroughly.

2. Schedule a Whole-Home Plumbing Inspection

A yearly inspection can catch issues like:

  • Hidden leaks
  • Corroding pipes
  • Failing shut-off valves

This is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent major repairs.

3. Sewer Line Evaluation

If your home is older—or you’ve noticed recurring drain issues—a camera inspection can identify:

  • Tree root intrusion
  • Pipe damage
  • Blockages

Early detection can prevent messy and expensive backups.

Every 3–5 Years Plumbing Maintenance

Professional Drain Cleaning

Over time, buildup inside your pipes becomes unavoidable.

  • Clears grease, scale, and debris
  • Restores proper flow
  • Helps prevent recurring clogs

This is especially important for busy households or older plumbing systems.

8–10 Year Milestones

Replace Your Water Heater

Most traditional tank water heaters last:

  • 6–8 years (gas)
  • 8–10 years (electric)

Signs it’s time:

  • Rust-colored water
  • Inconsistent temperatures
  • Rumbling noises
  • Leaks around the base

Waiting too long can lead to sudden failure—and water damage.

Upgrade Aging Fixtures

Faucets, toilets, and valves wear out over time.

Replacing them improves:

  • Water efficiency
  • Reliability
  • Appearance

20+ Year Milestones

Sewer Line Replacement or Repair

If your home is older, your sewer line may be nearing the end of its lifespan.

Common issues include:

  • Cracking or collapse
  • Root intrusion
  • Corrosion

Addressing problems early can prevent major property damage.

Whole-Home Plumbing Updates

For long-term reliability, older homes may benefit from:

  • Repiping
  • Updated shut-off valves
  • Modern water treatment systems
Justin leveling the disposal drain pipe for proper drainage

Don’t Wait for a Plumbing Emergency

Most major plumbing problems start small.

With the right maintenance plan, you can:

  • Avoid costly repairs
  • Protect your home from water damage
  • Improve efficiency
  • Extend the life of your plumbing system

At Olde Town Plumbing, we help homeowners stay ahead of problems—not just react to them.

Need Help Staying on Schedule?

Whether it’s a routine inspection, water heater service, or a full plumbing upgrade, our team is here to help.

Olde Town Plumbing provides trusted, professional service to homeowners throughout the Texas Hill Country.

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Our Plumbers

What Sets Us Apart

Friendly

When you have a plumbing problem, the last thing you want is to deal with a rude service technician.  We strive to provide good old-fashioned service like was common in old times.  We know our customers are our Hill Country neighbors and friends, and we treat you with the kindness and respect you deserve.  We really mean it when we say, “How can we help?”

Honest

We value honesty and integrity in our own lives, and we bring those values into our plumbing company as well.  When you choose Olde Town Plumbing, you’re choosing plumbers who won’t try to upsell you on products or services that you don’t need.  We’ll provide honest evaluations of your plumbing problems, reasonable solutions, and fair pricing for the needed for repairs.

Professional

You can count on our plumbing professional to arrive on time and to work efficiently and competently.  To keep your plumbing inconvenience minimal, we’ll give you a call when we’re headed your direction, so you know exactly when to expect us.  And with our fully stock service vehicles, we won’t waste your time running back and forth to the home improvement store for parts.

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