The Paloma Plumbing Blog
Written by Brent Jones, master plumber with 41 years in the DFW trade. No fluff, no marketing-speak — just what we'd tell a friend.
Sewer Odors · Diagnostics · August 14, 2026
Sewer gas has five common sources — dry P-traps, failed wax rings, blocked vent stacks, cracked pipes, broken sewer mains. How to figure out which one is yours before calling a plumber, and what the free DIY fix is (for the most common one).
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Water Softeners · Buying Guide · August 7, 2026
Fort Worth has some of the hardest water in Texas — 5 to 7 times harder than the softest municipal water in the country. What a softener actually fixes, what it won't, the real 10-year cost, and the specific situations where it's worth it (and when it isn't).
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 7 min read →
Water Pressure · Diagnostics · July 31, 2026
Weak flow in the shower. Slow-filling sinks. Faucets that trickle. The six real causes of low water pressure — a failing PRV, clogged aerators, pipe scale, hidden leaks, summer city-pressure drops, and a busted water heater dip tube — and how to figure out which one is yours.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Backflow · Compliance · July 24, 2026
Fort Worth Water requires annual backflow testing on many properties. What the test is, who has to do it (mostly irrigation systems, commercial buildings, and fire sprinklers), what it costs, and what happens if you skip — starting with warning letters and ending with a water shutoff.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 5 min read →
Water Heaters · Decision Guide · July 17, 2026
The exact four-question framework a master plumber uses to decide whether your water heater is worth fixing or if it's time to replace. Includes the specific parts that are worth repairing, the specific failures that mean replacement, and how our hard Fort Worth water changes the math.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Emergencies · What To Do · July 10, 2026
Burst pipe, overflowing toilet, water heater flooding, gas leak, sewer backup — the five most common plumbing emergencies and exactly what to do in each one before anyone arrives. From a Fort Worth master plumber.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Commercial · Hydro Jetting · July 3, 2026
Restaurant drains fail differently from residential — and a single sewer backup during service can cost more than a year of preventive hydro jetting. What jetting does, how often to schedule it, and what a bad clog actually costs.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Drain Cleaning · DIY Reality Check · June 26, 2026
Chemical drain cleaners are the most common thing homeowners try, and one of the least effective — and they can actively damage older Fort Worth cast iron pipes. What pros use instead, and the DIY sequence to try before calling.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Slab Leaks · Older Homes · June 19, 2026
A slab leak can undermine your foundation for months before you see water. The six early warning signs — warm spots on the floor, water bill spikes, mildew smell — and what to do when you notice two or more at once.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Water Heaters · Buying Guide · June 12, 2026
Should you get a tankless water heater or stick with a tank? The real 10-year cost of both, the gas line requirement most salespeople don't lead with, and the specific situations where each one is actually the right answer.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 7 min read →
Leak Detection · Water Bills · June 5, 2026
Your Fort Worth water bill doubled and nothing's obviously wrong? A master plumber's walkthrough of the two-hour meter test and the five hidden leaks — running toilets, slab leaks, irrigation, water heaters, hose bibs — that most often cause sudden spikes.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
Sewer · Older Homes · May 28, 2026
If your Fort Worth home was built between 1920 and 1980, your sewer main is probably cast iron — and probably reaching end of life. A master plumber's guide to recognizing failure early, what happens if you ignore it, and what your real repair options are.
By Brent Jones, Master Plumber · 6 min read →
New Post Every Friday
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