Take a few minutes and walk around. Look under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, around the base of your water heater, behind the toilet. If you see a damp spot or hear drippin’ where there shouldn’t b

Can’t believe it’s already January. Feels like the holidays just ended and here we are again, diggin’ back into the year. Anyway — while you're tryin’ to catch up and get back into your routine, don’t forget to give the ol' plumbing a quick look. Just to be safe.

Even though Texas winters aren’t the worst in the country, they can still cause their fair share of plumbing headaches. Cold nights, wind, random freezes — pipes don’t love any of it. So here’s a quick list of things we recommend checkin’ before you get caught off guard.

1. Look Around for Leaks

With all the water use over the holidays — think showers, guests, cooking, laundry, the dishwasher runnin’ non-stop — little leaks can start without ya even noticing. Happens all the time.

Take a few minutes and walk around. Look under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, around the base of your water heater, behind the toilet. If you see a damp spot or hear drippin’ where there shouldn’t be any, give us a shout. It’s always easier to catch it now than wait ‘til you’ve got a soggy cabinet floor or worse.

2. Check the Water Heater

This time of year, that water heater is puttin’ in the work. If it’s been more than a year since it was looked at, you’re probably due.

We can pop over and check for sediment in the tank, test the pressure valve, and listen for any weird noises that usually mean something’s not right. This is one of those "better safe than sorry" situations, for real.

3. Wrap Up Those Exposed Pipes

We all know freezes here come outta nowhere — 70° one day and then boom, 20s at night. If your pipes are exposed in the attic, garage, or along the outside of your house, it’s smart to wrap ‘em.

Doesn’t have to be fancy. Foam sleeves or even an old towel and duct tape can do the trick if you’re in a pinch. Just don’t wait until the weather drops. One busted pipe can turn into a mess real fast.

4. Clean Those Drains Out

Let’s be honest — nobody likes dealing with drains. But after all the end-of-year cookin’ and guests stayin’ over, things like grease, hair, and soap gunk build up quick.

If the sink's draining slower than usual, or you’re gettin’ that weird gurgle sound, it’s worth clearing it out. You can try baking soda and vinegar or call us if you want it done right. Just skip the harsh chems — they usually do more harm than good.

5. Consider Going Tankless

Still runnin’ that old tank water heater from ten years ago? It might be time to think about upgrading. Tankless heaters are smaller, use less energy, and only heat what you need — so you're not payin’ to keep a big ol’ tank warm all day.

We’ve installed these for tons of families around here. It’s not a must-have, but it sure is nice when you're never runnin’ out of hot water again.

6. Schedule That Plumbing Checkup

Most folks don’t think about callin’ a plumber ‘til somethin’s already broken. But that’s kinda like waitin’ for your engine to fail before changin’ the oil. Doesn’t make sense.

A quick yearly inspection can help you catch stuff early — maybe a loose fitting, slow leak, low pressure, or signs your heater’s getting tired. And if everything’s fine, at least you’ll have peace of mind.

Get Ahead of It Now

If you wait till the next cold snap or when folks are comin’ to visit, it’s prob’ly too late. Knock out this stuff now and save yourself the hassle.

Need Help?

Gimme a call at 214-287-0445 and we’ll get you on the schedule. Whether it’s a small repair, a cleanup job, or just makin’ sure things are workin’ like they should — we’re here.

Oh, and if you ever find yourself Googlin’ “plummer near me,” now you don’t have to. We got you.

Jensen Plumbing LLCPlumbing Done Right. Every Time.