theplumbersbride

This week we were in the Dove Meadows neighborhood flushing a tankless water heater as part of its required annual maintenance. Flushing isn’t optional — it’s necessary to keep the unit running efficiently and to keep the manufacturer’s warranty valid.

But as often happens, the maintenance told us a bigger story.

Because of the hard water in our area, mineral buildup doesn’t just affect water heaters — it shows up everywhere. Inside the tankless unit. Inside faucet cartridges. Inside fixtures you use every single day.

Hard water quietly causes:

• Scale buildup inside tankless water heaters
• Reduced efficiency and shortened lifespan
• Clogged faucet cartridges leading to low water pressure
• Hard water stains that never seem to go away

During this visit, we advised the homeowner that installing a water softener would be a wise next step. Not as a sales pitch — but as protection. Protection for their tankless water heater. Protection for their plumbing fixtures. Protection for their investment.

I’ve learned that plumbing maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about listening to what your system is telling you before something fails.

Hard water always leaves clues.

Not sure if something’s wrong with your plumbing? Call Bear’s Plumbing today and let our team take a look.
📞 281-350-2327 | 🌐 http://www.bearsplumbing.net

Did you know that a stoppage or anything backing up into your home is often a sign of a compromised plumbing system?

Your toilets, showers, sinks, and washing machines should never back up into your home. Ever.

Now, let me be clear — there are exceptions.
Kids flush toys.
Something accidentally falls down the sink.
And yes, we’ve even saved customers from heartbreak by recovering diamond rings from drains.

That’s not what I’m talking about.

What I’m talking about is the stuff you can’t see.

Don’t you hate the phrase, “We don’t know what we don’t know”? I do. If I were Superman and had X-ray vision, I could tell you exactly what was happening inside your sewer lines. But I’m not — and neither are our plumbers.

What we do have is the right equipment.

Slow drains.
Toilets that don’t flush well.
Water backing up where it shouldn’t.

Those are warning signs.

Tree roots can break into sewer lines.
Homes settle and pipes crack.
Old lines deteriorate quietly underground.

And unless someone looks, you’ll never know — until the mess shows up inside your home.

That’s why it matters to have someone who can not only clear a line, but also tell you why it backed up in the first place.

If something feels off, trust your instincts. Sometimes a backup isn’t just a clog — it’s your home asking for help.

We recently helped a homeowner in Magnolia who had a leak at their water service — and I’ll be honest, when we first started in plumbing, I remember thinking the same thing many of you might be thinking now:

What exactly is a water service?

Simply put, it’s the pipe that brings water into your home from the city — or from a well in more rural areas. It’s the lifeline of your home’s plumbing system, and most of us never think about it… until something goes wrong.

During this last freeze, many homes seemed to come through just fine. No broken pipes. No immediate leaks. Everything appeared normal. But here’s the thing about freeze damage — it doesn’t always show up right away.

We are still receiving calls from homeowners who didn’t realize their plumbing was damaged weeks ago.

In this Magnolia home, the copper water service pipe had deteriorated so badly that the technicians could bend it with their hands. The copper walls had worn down over time, becoming paper-thin. When we held the old pipe next to a new one, the difference was shocking — and honestly, a little unsettling.

The home was built in 1992, which means those pipes had done their job for decades. But time, minerals, soil conditions, and temperature changes had taken their toll.

Copper has long been considered a reliable material, but aging copper — especially underground or exposed — can quietly weaken until it finally fails.

Our recommendation was to remove the failing copper and replace it with PEX piping, which is far more flexible, freeze-resistant, and forgiving during temperature swings.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Just because your home made it through the freeze doesn’t mean it wasn’t affected.

Take a few minutes to look at your water service and any exposed pipes around your home. Sometimes the damage is subtle — until it isn’t.

I’ve shared a photo so you can see just how thin that original pipe had become. It’s a powerful reminder that proactive care can save a whole lot of stress later.

We recently shared a video on Facebook and YouTube that honestly made my stomach turn — and also made me think.

The water heater in the video was 20 years old. On the outside, it didn’t look that bad at all. You know the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? The same goes for water heaters.

When our technicians arrived to replace it, they immediately noticed something strange. Even after draining all 40 gallons of water, the heater was much heavier than it should have been. Heavy enough that it took more time, more muscle, and a lot more effort to get it out.

And then we found out why.

We live in a hard-water area, which means minerals slowly build up inside water heaters over time. Calcium, sediment, and rust settle at the bottom of the tank year after year. Instead of flushing out, it hardens — turning into something that literally felt like rocks.

Yes… rocks.

Clayton (our son, our technician, and the curious one of the bunch) decided to cut the old tank open so we could see what was happening inside. What we found was shocking. Thick, hardened buildup had taken over the bottom of the tank. It had even bent the heating element, which explained why the heater was losing performance and struggling to keep up.

It was gross. And eye-opening.

People love to say water heaters are an easy DIY project. But the truth is, even a normal heater requires two trained people to safely remove and install. Add in decades of mineral buildup and you suddenly have something that weighs far more than it should — and is far more dangerous to handle.

And here’s the scariest part:
This heater was in an attic.

In most cases, a 20-year-old heater doesn’t just decline — it fails. When attic heaters leak, they can cause devastating water damage to ceilings, walls, floors, and everything below.

This one had a good ending. But many don’t.

I’ll never look at an aging water heater the same way again. I use hot water every day — laundry, dishes, showers — and now I know what could be hiding inside that tank.

I’m sharing the video and this image so you can see it for yourself. Sometimes the things that look “fine” on the outside are quietly becoming disasters on the inside. Calcium Build up in Water Heaters

Let me tell you something I’ve learned over the years being married to a plumber: there is nothing more expensive than cheap plumbing.

We get calls all the time from homeowners who hired a contractor—not a licensed plumber—during a remodel because the price sounded “too good to be true.” And guess what…

It usually is.

Just recently, Bear and the crew went out to a home with a freestanding tub that had been newly installed. It should have been beautiful. It should have been functional. What they found instead was a nightmare waiting to happen.

The drain?

Completely disconnected.

Worse than that… the original installer had used an accordion drain, which is 100% illegal in the State of Texas. It violates plumbing code, and for good reason—they trap debris, clog easily, collapse, and cause water damage.

Why would anyone install something like this?

Because real plumbing is hard work.

It requires math.

It requires calculating angles, slope, and venting.

It requires using proper, approved materials.

People who “dabble” in plumbing take shortcuts. Licensed plumbers don’t.

When Bear showed me the picture of the separated drain and the accordion pipe, all I could think was:

“That beautiful remodel could have turned into thousands of dollars in damage within months.”

So here’s my heart-to-heart advice:

✨ If you want the job done right the first time, call a licensed plumber.

✨ If someone already did the job wrong and you now need it repaired, call Bear’s Plumbing.

✨ Your home—and your peace of mind—are worth it.

Here’s to strong homes, safe plumbing, and no more accordion drains.

Call Bear’s Plumbing at 281-350-2327 and let the professionals take care of you.

There are moments in life when the phrase “you get what you pay for” becomes a little too true — especially when it comes to plumbing. Plumbing isn’t just pipes and water… it’s public health, clean drinking water, sanitation, and safety.

And the State of Texas is stepping in with a major update.

👉 Beginning January 1, 2026, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) will enforce a $4,000 fine — per violation — for any company that hires unregistered or unlicensed individuals to perform plumbing work. No discounts. No reduced settlements. Zero wiggle room.

Why? Because proper plumbing work is literally what protects us from contamination, illness, gas leaks, and unsafe drinking water. Licensed plumbers are trained, tested, and held accountable to protect our homes and our health.

If someone works on a gas line, water heater, or sewer system without the right license or supervision, it’s not just cutting corners — it’s risking lives.

Here’s what this means for homeowners: ✔ Always ask to see a plumbing license

✔ Cheap labor could cost you thousands later

✔ Your safety is worth hiring qualified professionals

✔ If someone can’t show their license… they shouldn’t be touching your plumbing

The TSBPE said it best:

> “It is the mission of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to protect the health and safety of Texans.”

As a plumber’s wife, I see firsthand the hours of training, the tests, the continuing education, and the responsibility that comes with being licensed. Good plumbers take pride in doing things the right way — even when no one is watching.

So whether you’re repairing a leak or installing a new gas appliance, remember:

A licensed plumber isn’t an expense. They’re protection.

And now… the State of Texas agrees. 🙌

Stay safe, friends 💜

—The Plumber’s Bride

Call Bear’s Plumbing for all your plumbing needs 281-350-2327