Plumb Talk - Lanco Plumbing

Getting A Gas Test To Turn On Your Gas Service

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 17:09:51 GMT

When You Need A Gas Pressure Test By A Licensed Plumber

We get calls all the time from customers saying they called the gas company to get service turned on at their home and the gas company told them they won't set up service until a gas pressure test is performed by a plumber with the proper permit pulled and city inspection. Many people don't realize that plumbers are the ones that work on natural gas and they don't know why they need this test or what is involved.

When Is A Gas Test With Permit And Inspection Required?

There are a few different scenarios that will require a formal gas test, which is done to ensure that the gas system is safe, everything is installed to current required code specifications, and there are no leaks found. The most common reasons people call a plumber for this test are:

New construction/Adding gas to home that did not have it.
Additions to the existing gas system (such as a pool heater or backup generator being added).
Gas service was turned off by the gas company for nonpayment and the customer is trying to get it turned back on.
Gas service was cancelled by the customer and was not reinstated within a certain amount of time. (This often occurs between tenants if the home is a rental property, or when a home is sold).

HOME BUYERS: Be sure the gas is on when you do your home inspections and that the current owner agrees to leave their service on until closing. If you set your service up immediately (so there is no major lapse between service) you won't be required to have a gas test done with city inspections to get your service set up. However, even if you are not required to have the test done to get service, it is still highly recommended to have the system tested during your option period by a licensed plumber (home inspectors cannot do this). Gas leaks or improper installation is a safety issue, so it should not be taken lightly. The cost to do a gas test while the service is on is typically less, because you don't have to pay a permit fee for city inspection and there are less steps involved (less labor costs).

What Is The Process?

We have been doing this a long time and the process is pretty streamlined. This process is for a standard reconnect of gas service on a residential home. While it may be different in other locations, this is how it typically works in the cities we service such as League City and Dickinson (and surrounding areas, see a list of our service area ):

Call to set up the appointment. (Our company provides pricing for the test and permit over the phone when scheduling.)
We, as the plumber, pull the required permit under our license so it is ready to call in for inspection when the test is completed. The plumber who does this must be registered with the city and hold the proper licensing. Tradesman or journeyman plumbers can't pull these permits unless they are done so through the company they work for under the responsible master license that also has the proper company insurance.
We come out and perform the gas test by putting air on the system along with a gauge (as required) that will detect drops in pressure if there are leaks present. During this visit, our plumber will also do a walk through to check all the gas appliances and existing gas piping (visible) to be sure it all meets current code requirements.
NO LEAKS OR CODE VIOLATIONS FOUND DURING TEST : If this is the case, then at this time, the city inspection is set up for the following day (we set up the inspection). You will need to be home when the inspector arrives, they will not call when they are in route and typically just give a window of time you must be available on site. (Most cities in Dickinson, League City, and the surrounding area will not do same day inspections on a gas test and we have no control over this.) The city inspector will then come out for the inspection to check the gauge to be sure it is still holding the proper pressure and do a walk through as well to check for any code violations. When the inspection is finished, the inspector will give a "green tag" (noting the inspection passed), and the city office will then send over a "meter release" to the gas company that same day to let them know it is okay to turn on service.
LEAKS OR CODE VIOLATIONS PRESENT DURING TEST : If there are leaks found, the plumber would then have to locate and repair all leaks and put the system back on the air test prior to calling in the inspection. If there are repairs needed due to code violations, we go over what is involved during the initial gas test along with potential pricing. These items must be addressed if they exist in order for the city inspector to "green tag"/pass the inspection when he arrives. All leak repairs or code related repairs MUST be performed by the plumber under the permit. Once this is done, the city inspection will be set by our office with the city for the following day. You must be present for the city inspection and the city will send over the "meter release" directly to the gas company when it is completed, as noted in #4 above.
Once all of the above is completed and the "meter release" has been sent over to the gas company, you as the homeowner (or the tenant if they are the person the account will be under) will call the gas company to see when they can get you scheduled to have your gas service turned on. Our plumber will go back out to the property (typically the same day after the city inspection is done) to pull our gauge, the customer does not need to be home for this visit for the plumber (only the city inspection earlier in the day).

While reading through this process it may seem overwhelming, however, it really is pretty straight forward. All you have to do is be home for the plumber and the city inspector, and then call the gas company to get scheduled for service connection once it is all completed. We, as the plumber, would handle everything else involved.

How Much Does A Gas Pressure Test Cost?

We have seen this range considerably based on customer feedback when they call to set up the appointment. Some customers say they were quoted over six hundred dollars just to do the test! Permit fees vary, but a typical gas test with permit fees included when we go out runs at about $275 to $350. This would be the most common range (through our company) for a residential home. In a couple cities it can be a little higher due to their higher permit fees, but we can quote an exact price over the phone when we know where the property is located. If you are needing this service performed, give us a call and get your gas turned on ASAP!

Lanco Plumbing Is THE Plumber In League City, TX

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:39:58 GMT

Lanco Plumbing and League City, TX go WAY back...

Mark Lange (founder) lived in League City for many years growing up and attended Clear Creek High School where he played varsity football (#23).

After graduating, Mark served in the Army before returning home and establishing the company in 1973 with his wife, Cheryl. For 46+ years, Lanco has serviced many League City families who have lived in the area for generations along with thousands of our new neighbors who have moved to the community as it has grown. Lanco Plumbing has been recognized many times for giving back to the community and for providing an honest and dependable plumbing service. We are THE League City Plumber!

While the current shop is located in Dickinson, League City is (and always has been) one of our main service areas, and its citizens have a special place in our hearts here at Lanco. Some years ago, our primary location was in League City before we consolidated to our larger building. Mark and Cheryl are now retired, however they are still a constant presence at the shop. Two of their six children now own the business and run the shop with the same "old school" business values that focus on community while delivering a high quality, skilled plumbing service.

League City is BOOMING!

Back in the day, there weren't near as many plumbing companies around. While a complete monopoly is not a good thing in any industry, with so many businesses (and not just plumbers) "popping up" and saturating the area, homeowner's really have to do their due diligence. In those earlier days, "everybody knew everybody". You knew who to call when you needed a good electrician, plumber, or mechanic. And the work ethic was such that people in trades would strive to be true masters in their craft. The quality of work across the board you received was extremely high, and customer service felt like family relationships. That hasn't completely gone away, but sometimes you have to do a little digging to find those companies.

Within the last 7 years, League City's population has more than doubled and new communities and homes are still being built at a rapid pace. Not only are there a lot more properties that need service and repair, there are a lot of newcomers who are needing to establish business relationships (of all types) since they are new to the area and don't know who is who. With the internet dominating all things "in search of", people turn online more and more to find what they are looking for. People still ask friends and family for referrals, but it is less common. That being the case, homeowner's can find what they are looking for in a plumbing company easier if they know what to look for. This article is helpful: Finding The Best Plumber For The Job .

Lanco Plumbing is more than a "Plumber Near Me"...

If it is important to you to shop local, and you want an affordable plumber with a longstanding reputation, then try Lanco Plumbing the next time a plumbing issue arises at your home. We have a solid reputation and are a neighborhood favorite in several League City neighborhoods on NextDoor . We take great care of our customers and our community and take pride in providing an HONEST affordable plumbing service. Call us and see why we have been the #1 League City Plumber for almost 50 years! We would LOVE the opportunity to earn your business and referrals.

Finding The Best Plumber For The Job

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:59:46 GMT

Whatever you do, DON'T just call any "plumber near me". Do your homework.

With so many plumbing companies popping up, it's hard to know who to call. These are some things to compare and consider when choosing a plumber to work at your home:

How long has the company been in business? A long business history will tell you the plumbing company must have at least a decent reputation, sound business operations, and good customer relations. Ask how many years a company has been in business, not just how many years experience they have. Lanco Plumbing was established in 1973, and mostly likely already service many residents in your neighborhood!

Is the company operating legally? State law requires that the company must hold a responsible master license and have the proper insurance in place to offer plumbing services to residential and commercial customers. Look for the RMP license listed in their advertisements, it is also supposed to be visible on their vehicles. The RMP # for Lanco Plumbing is 7040.

Are they sending out LICENSED PLUMBERS to do the work? An apprentice is NOT a licensed plumber. If you are requesting residential plumbing service, typically a tradesman plumbing license is sufficient. If this is for a commercial building, a journeyman plumber is required. ALWAYS ask to see the plumber's license when he arrives to do the job. While it is against state law, many plumbing companies (sadly) send out apprentices (without a licensed plumber), who have not completed the required training and successfully passed the plumbing exam. Lanco Plumbing is VERY serious about training the plumbers on our team and ALWAYS sends a the properly licensed plumber for the job.

Affordability... While you should expect to pay a reasonable rate for the value of the plumbing service provided, be very careful about getting ripped off. Many companies won't quote pricing over the phone and you have to wait for them to show up to give "free estimates". While there is no way around this on larger jobs, it's fairly easy to gauge price ranges on most standard repairs and drain cleaning (we even quote water heater replacements over the phone). Other times scare tactics are used or customers are being told they need more done than actually necessary. It may be hard for you to gauge what is reasonable for a particular plumbing service if you are not in the industry, so be sure to do your homework on the company and be careful with too much "flat rate" pricing. A lot of "flat pricing" business models in the plumbing industry nowadays pay their plumbers on commission...we don't do that in our shop but it isn't hard to imagine the serious cons in place for the homeowner in that scenario. Lanco Plumbing provides reasonable rates for quality work and we are more than willing to openly discuss your plumbing needs by phone and what costs might be involved before you even schedule a job with us.

Experience and skill level. This is a big one obviously. You don't want a plumber installing pipe incorrectly, making a faulty connection, or just flat out can't find the source of the problem. Many apprentices that hire on with companies to receive their training are actually put on their own truck to perform work (which is against the law as previously mentioned) instead of riding with experienced plumbers through their entire apprenticeship. This keeps them from being exposed to many types of plumbing problems and how to troubleshoot and repair those issues correctly. The result? Licensed plumbers that really don't have the experience necessary to perform the job well, but that were able to pass an exam after they obtained the required "hours". Another thing to keep in mind, there are many facets to the plumbing industry. Similar to a doctor or a lawyer that may specialize in certain medicine or a certain area of the law, a plumber who has most their experience in new construction many times has not had enough experience to know how to troubleshoot problems on an existing home. Every plumber on staff at Lanco must meet a certain knowledge and experience standard prior to being assigned to their own service truck.

If you need an affordable and experienced plumber...

We would LOVE the opportunity to earn your business and referrals. We strive to be the best plumber in League City, Dickinson and the surrounding area and we take what we do here at Lanco seriously, we call it "plumbing with a purpose." What is important to you is important to us when it comes to building relationships...

We are constantly evaluating the level of service we provide as well as what our vision is as a team and how our company can bless our employees, our customers, and our community.

Top 5 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Replaced

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 20:16:16 GMT

When should I replace my water heater?

We hear this question, A LOT. Just like any other appliance, your water heater will not last forever and at some point it will need to be replaced. It is always better to replace it before your water heater actually goes out. It's one thing to need a repair, which can be performed in most cases when the water heater stops heating. However, when the tank starts leaking it will (in many cases) cause major water damage, so avoiding the issue all together is obviously ideal. That being said, the number one sign your water heater must be replaced is...

1. Your Water Heater Is Leaking

If the water heater is leaking from the tank, you must replace it as repairs are not made to the tank itself. In some cases, you may see the pan underneath the water heater filling with water, but you don't see water streaming down the side of the tank jacket to indicate where it is coming from. In those instances, the tank is leaking from the bottom (and needs replaced).

Something to note: Occasionally you will see the water leaking at the top, right where the nipple connects to the tank. Sometimes this can be repaired, but if the threads on the tank itself are rusted and won't seal properly, the tank will still need to be replaced. (Also, it there has been a small ongoing leak at this connection that has caused a lot of rust or corrosion, it may still be a good idea to opt for replacement.) Any leak on pipes, shut off valves, or on flexes can typically be repaired, so don't confuse those leaks with the tank leaking.

2. Your Water Heater is 10+ Years Old

The average life span (across manufacturers) for a water heater is 10 years, give or take. It is wise to prepare for replacement in the near future if your water heater is near this mark in age, especially if it is located somewhere in the house that water damage would occur as a result of the tank starting to leak (such as an attic, utility room, closet in the home, etc.). Even if the water heater would not cause major damage if it were to leak, keep in mind that it could occur while out of town or on a weekend or holiday (when the price for replacement is typically much higher). You would also be without hot water until you settle on a company with a price you are happy with and got on their schedule. Being proactive works much more favorably for the homeowner.

3. Visual Rust & Corrosion

If you are seeing a lot of rust or corrosion on the exterior of the tank, it is time to consider replacement. Sometimes we have customers ask us to look at their water heater while we are out working on other things in the home because they noticed a lot of visible rust and are concerned. To be honest, if that is the only issue, there isn't much more a plumber can advise other than it is typically recommended to go ahead and replace. There is no way to know exactly how much more life the water heater has.

4. Luke Warm Or No Hot Water

To be clear, when this problem occurs you do not always need to replace the water heater. In fact, it is very common for our company to make a repair in this scenario versus recommending replacement. It is something to point out however, as some repairs can be fairly costly, especially when the water heater is out of warranty for parts and labor. Depending on the part needed and what the warranty coverage is when the repair is made, the repair could cost close to 40% of what the replacement cost would be. We always weigh these factors and discuss them with our customers to give them the information they need to make the decision as to whether replacement is a better route to go. Usually the repair is made unless (as mentioned) there is little or no coverage for parts/labor under warranty, and the water heater is already closer to the end of the average life span.

5. Rusty Water

This is another sign that doesn't always indicate you need to replace the water heater soon, but it is something you need to look into. Sometimes galvanize pipe in the home that has not been replaced is the source of rusty water and not the water heater. Over time, the inside of the tank of the water heater begins to corrode and can also cause rusty water. It is important to know that the water heater is the source before incurring the cost of replacement (especially if other signs mentioned do not apply).

First, if the water heater is the source of the rusty water, it will only be on the hot side at fixtures (the cold water will not be affected).
Second, this would be a problem you would see throughout the home at different fixtures (for example, it would not be isolated to one faucet).
Third, if you don't have galvanize piping in the home, clearly that would not be the culprit and it would most likely be the water heater if the other factors above are true. Do keep in mind that older homes that have had the water pipes replaced could still have sections of galvanize piping that were left, so you still need to weigh out the more obvious indicators to determine if it is the water heater or if galvanize piping could be the source.

It is always good to have your plumber come out and troubleshoot this issue prior to replacing the water heater, unless other signs for replacement exist that indicate you need to replace it anyway.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Water Heater?

We provide very affordable replacements with a streamlined process for our customers. You can find price info along with what is needed to get your water heater replacement scheduled right on our website by clicking here . We are here for you, so give us a call today!