Plumbing Tips & Guides
The East Texas Plumbing Blog
Straight-talking advice on emergencies, costs, and keeping Kilgore-area homes running — written by our licensed plumbers.
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Featured · Emergency
Burst Pipe in Your Kilgore Home? The First 5 Things to Do
A burst pipe can dump hundreds of gallons into your home in an hour. Here is exactly what to do in the first five minutes — before the plumber arrives.
January 14, 2025 · 7 min read
Emergency
When to Call a 24/7 Plumber in Kilgore (and What Can Wait Until Morning)
A dripping faucet can wait. A flooding bathroom cannot. Here is how to tell a real plumbing emergency from a problem that can wait for a scheduled visit.
January 28, 2025 · 8 min read
Emergency
Sewage Backing Up? Emergency Steps for Longview & Kilgore Homeowners
Raw sewage in your home is a health hazard, not just a mess. Here are the emergency steps to take right now — and how to keep it from happening again.
February 11, 2025 · 7 min read
Cost & Insurance
How Much Does a Repipe Cost for a 1930s Kilgore Home?
Kilgore is full of 1930s oil-boom homes still running original pipe. Here is what actually drives the cost of a whole-house repipe — and how to plan for it.
February 25, 2025 · 8 min read
Cost & Insurance
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Line Repair in Texas?
Sewer line repairs are expensive, and homeowners often assume insurance has them covered. In Texas, the answer is usually more complicated than that.
March 11, 2025 · 7 min read
Cost & Insurance
Water Heater Replacement Cost in East Texas: 2025 Guide
Replacing a water heater is one of the most common big-ticket plumbing jobs. Here is what drives the cost in East Texas in 2025 — and when to repair instead.
March 25, 2025 · 8 min read
Core-Service
Why Kilgore's 1930s Oil-Boom Homes Need Repiping Now
The pipe in many Kilgore homes is nearly a century old. Here is why a planned repipe beats waiting for the leaks — and how the oil-boom era shaped local plumbing.
April 8, 2025 · 7 min read
Core-Service
Cast Iron & Clay Tile: What's Hiding Under Your Gregg County Home
If your Gregg County home was built before the 1980s, the sewer line under it is probably cast iron or clay tile — and both fail in predictable ways.
April 22, 2025 · 8 min read
Core-Service
Iron Stains & Rotten-Egg Smell: Fixing East Texas Well Water
Orange stains on your fixtures and a rotten-egg smell from the tap are classic East Texas well-water problems. Here is what causes them and how to fix them.
May 6, 2025 · 8 min read
Local
Kilgore Freeze Events: How to Protect Pipes Before the Next Texas Freeze
East Texas freezes are infrequent enough that homes here are not built for them — which is exactly why they burst so many pipes. Here is how to get ready.
May 20, 2025 · 7 min read
Local
Tornado Season Plumbing: Protecting Your Kilgore & Van Home After Storm Damage
East Texas sits on the edge of tornado alley, and severe storms damage plumbing in ways that are easy to miss. Here is what to check after the weather clears.
June 3, 2025 · 7 min read
Local
Buying a Home Near Kilgore College? Plumbing Checks for 1940s Housing Stock
The charming older homes around Kilgore College come with older plumbing. Here is what to check before you buy — before the pipes become your problem.
June 17, 2025 · 8 min read
Local
Cedar Creek Lake Homes: Plumbing Mistakes Lake Buyers Make
Lake houses around Cedar Creek have plumbing quirks that catch buyers off guard — from seasonal use to well water and flood exposure. Here is what to know.
July 1, 2025 · 7 min read
Prevention
Fall Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for East Texas Homeowners
Fall is the best time to get East Texas plumbing ready for winter. This checklist covers the small tasks that prevent the big, cold-weather emergencies.
July 15, 2025 · 7 min read
Prevention
How to Extend Water Heater Life in Kilgore's Mineral-Heavy Water
Kilgore's mineral-heavy water is hard on water heaters. Here are the maintenance habits that add years of life and keep yours running efficiently.
August 5, 2025 · 7 min read
Prevention
6 Signs Your Older Longview Home Needs a Whole-House Repipe
Old pipe fails gradually, then all at once. Here are six signs an older Longview home is telling you it needs a whole-house repipe before the leaks pile up.
February 18, 2025 · 7 min read
Commercial
Grease Traps & Drains: A Guide for Marshall & Carthage Restaurant Owners
For a restaurant, a neglected grease trap is a shutdown waiting to happen. Here is a practical guide for Marshall and Carthage owners to stay clean and open.
March 4, 2025 · 8 min read
Commercial
Rental Turnover Plumbing: A Landlord's Guide for Nacogdoches & SFA Properties
Turnover is the one window landlords get to catch plumbing problems before the next tenant does. Here is the checklist for Nacogdoches and SFA-area rentals.
April 15, 2025 · 8 min read
Commercial
Haynesville Shale Housing: Plumbing Maintenance for Rentals in Carthage & Center
Haynesville Shale housing in Carthage and Center sees hard use and mixed-age construction. Here is the maintenance routine that keeps rentals profitable.
May 13, 2025 · 7 min read
Core-Service
Slab Leak Warning Signs in East Texas Clay Soil Homes
A slab leak hides under your foundation, doing damage before you ever see water. Here are the warning signs East Texas homeowners should never ignore.
June 24, 2025 · 8 min read
45-minute emergency response in the Longview–Kilgore corridor
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