- LicensedTexas Master Plumber 40980
- On call 24/7Licensed plumbers for emergencies
- Brazos ValleyCollege Station, Bryan and nearby
Most residential plumbing calls in the Brazos Valley come down to three things. A leak that showed up somewhere it should not, a drain that will not clear, or a water heater that stopped working. We handle all of it, from slab leaks under your foundation to full repipes.
Every technician is licensed by the State of Texas, you get a written price before we start, and a workmanship warranty when we are done.
Workmanship Warranty on Every Job
Request an EstimateCall 979-473-9775
Slab leaks · Repipes · Water heaters · Drains
College Station · Bryan · Brenham · Grimes, Burleson and Robertson Counties
Common Residential Plumbing Problems and What They Actually Mean
Most homeowners call us after they’ve noticed a symptom but aren’t sure how serious it is. Here’s what the most common symptoms usually indicate, what you can safely do yourself, and when to call a plumber.
Water bill went up for no obvious reason
Urgency: Soon, every day costs money
Likely cause. Slab leak or running toilet. A single slab leak can waste 10,000+ gallons a month. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons a day.
What to do Turn off everything in the house. If your meter is still spinning, you have a leak somewhere in the supply system, not a drain issue. Call us for a pressure test.
Slow drains in multiple rooms
Urgency: Within a few days before a full backup
Likely cause. The problem is downstream of where the individual drains connect, specifically in the main line. Root intrusion, grease buildup, or a partially collapsed section.
What to do Avoid using chemical drain openers in a main line situation, as they rarely reach the actual blockage and can damage older pipes. A cable machine or hydro-jet is needed.
Hot water runs out faster than it used to
Urgency: Not an emergency, but worsens over time
Likely cause. Sediment buildup in the tank is reducing effective capacity. Or a failing heating element in an electric unit. In gas units, the burner assembly may be inefficient.
What to do If the heater is under 8 years old, repair often makes sense. Over 8 years, replacement usually costs less over 5 years than continued repairs.
Pinhole leaks appearing in multiple locations
Urgency: High. Next leak could be inside a wall
Likely cause. Galvanized steel pipe corroding from the inside out, or polybutylene pipe (gray, installed 1978 to 1995) degrading. One pinhole means more are coming.
What to do Patching individual pinholes works temporarily but doesn’t fix the underlying pipe failure. Ask us whether targeted repair or a full repipe makes more financial sense for your house.
Low water pressure throughout the house
Urgency: Moderate, can indicate larger issues
Likely cause. Pressure regulator failure, main shutoff partially closed, or significant buildup in galvanized pipes restricting flow.
What to do Check the main shutoff valve first, as it’s sometimes partially closed after a repair. If it’s fully open, the pressure regulator (usually at the main line entry) may need replacement.
You can safely check the shutoff valve yourself.
The root cause requires a licensed plumber.
Water heater is leaking from the base
Urgency: Immediate
Likely cause. Tank has corroded through. Once the tank itself is leaking, there is no repair. The unit must be replaced.
What to do Shut off the cold water supply to the heater (valve on top). If gas, turn the dial to pilot. Call us, as a leaking tank can cause significant floor and subfloor damage quickly.
You can safely turn the water supply off and set the gas dial to pilot.
The root cause requires a licensed plumber.
Not seeing your situation? Call us at 979-473-9775 and describe what you’re seeing. We’ll tell you whether it’s urgent and what it likely involves before you commit to anything.
Our Residential Plumbing Services
Below is what each service call actually involves. College Station, Bryan, Brenham, and surrounding Brazos Valley counties.
Drain and Sewer Clogs
Most stoppages in College Station and Bryan homes are grease buildup, root intrusion, or a failed pipe joint. We cable or hydro jet what can be cleared, then recommend a camera to find the root cause, and tell you honestly if it needs to be replaced.
Water Heaters
We diagnose whether repair or replacement is the right call. If the unit is failing, we size the replacement for your household and pull the permit. We install it, and test the temperature and pressure relief valve before we leave. We work on both tank and tankless systems.
Leaks, Including Under the Slab
We use pressure testing and electronic detection to find where the leak is before we open anything up. Slab leaks in the Brazos Valley are common because of active clay soil. Once we locate it, we explain your repair options, which may include spot repair, rerouting the line, or repiping. You choose based on the written price we give you.
Toilets and Fixtures
A running toilet, a loose wax ring, a faucet that drips, or a shutoff valve that will not close. We fix all of those in a single visit. We also handle full fixture replacements if you are upgrading a bathroom or kitchen. We bring the parts most likely needed based on what you describe on the phone.
Water Pressure Problems
Low pressure at one fixture is usually a clogged aerator or a failing valve. Low pressure throughout the house can mean a failing pressure regulator, a corroded main line, or a leak you have not found yet. We test the system, find the source, and fix it. High pressure is also a problem and can be causing damage you do not see yet.
Gas Lines
If you smell gas, get everyone out of the house first, then call the gas company from outside. Once it is safe, we come in, locate the leak, and make the repair or replacement. We are licensed to work on residential gas lines in Texas, and we also run new gas lines for range hookups, outdoor grills and generator connections.
Repiping
If your home has polybutylene, galvanized steel, or corroded copper, we can repipe the whole house in one or two days. We work through access points and limit drywall cuts where possible. You get a written scope, a fixed price, and the same workmanship warranty on every foot of new pipe.
Remodel Plumbing
Moving a sink, adding a bathroom, or roughing in for a new laundry location all require permit work and a licensed Master Plumber. We work directly with your contractor or GC and coordinate inspections. We do not just run pipe. We make sure what we run passes.
What our customers say
Published exactly as written, straight from Google.
Found late Friday evening that I did not have hot water, and it was the weekend... YIKES!! Contacted 4L Contracting LLC; they came out within a couple of hours and had me working in a short time. Lee went above and beyond, letting me know about other problems identified in my attic, a problem with my chimney, and a heating vent installation problem. After he left, I found a water leak in the laundry room ceiling. He turned around and came back to my house. He found the air conditioning drain pipe was backed up. He blew it out the drain pipe, preventing a big disaster. So appreciate his thoroughness and helping me on a Friday after-hours house call. He definitely went above and beyond.
I had a great experience working with 4L Contracting LLC. They were awesome to work with, they were professional, responsive, and clearly knew what they were doing. We had a massive leak that needed immediate attention, and they showed up quickly and handled it efficiently. They not only fixed the issue fast but also made sure everything was done right. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone needing reliable, high quality work!
Used 4L Contracting the first time a couple years ago and since then they have replaced a water heater, reset toilets, replaced water lines, and located and fixed a leak under the house! They have been amazing to work with over the years, I cannot recommend these guys enough!
Water Softener installation Completed! Just wanted to give a shout out to Kurt and Lane on their outstanding customer service today. I hired 4L Contracting LLC to install a water softener in our home. After finding out the water softener I had purchased was missing parts, the job was rescheduled for Monday. I was able to return the water softener and get a replacement fairly quick. So I sent a text to Kurt, letting him know I had done so. He informed me they were nearby and could do the job in about 30 minutes if I could meet them back at my home. I hurried home and in about 2 hours the job was completed. Tonight my wife and I shall enjoy a soft water shower!
My husband and I had a broken pipe in the foundation and it was leaking pretty bad into our hallway, and 4L Contracting came that day we called, assessed the issue, and was back the next day and completely fixed the problem. They were so nice and helpful! I cannot tell you how pleased we were with their service. I recommend 4L Contracting!
My wife and I discovered a water leak coming out of our wall. 4L Contracting LLC came out that day and found where the leak was coming from (copper pipe leaking in the slab), they started working immediately and finished the next day.
These plumbers are honest, knowledgeable and reliable! They helped us fix a leak and answered all our questions about other issues in the house. Highly recommend!
Lee and his guys are Great. Their communication on our projects have been superb! Always letting us know when they will be at the job site. Lee is doing 3 projects for our Airbnb's at one time, and his organization of his paperwork is paramount for us.
Six Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Residential Plumber
These aren’t trick questions. They’re the things every homeowner should verify before letting any plumber into their home. We’ve answered them for ourselves below each one so you can hold us to the same standard.
1. Are you licensed in Texas, and what license type?
Texas requires a license for most plumbing work. A Journeyman license allows field work under supervision. A Master Plumber license is required to pull permits and run a plumbing business. Ask specifically, because ‘licensed’ doesn’t always mean what you think.
What 4L Does
Every one of our technicians holds a Texas plumbing license, with a minimum of 4,000 hours of on the job training behind it. We pull permits under our Master Plumber license where the job requires one.
2. Do you carry general liability and workers’ comp?
If an unlicensed or uninsured worker is injured on your property, you can be liable. If they damage your home, you may have no recourse. Request a certificate of insurance, not just a verbal yes.
What 4L Does
We are licensed and insured. We can provide a certificate of insurance on request.
3. Will you give me a written price before you start?
Some companies give a low estimate to get in the door, then add charges once the work is underway. A written price protects you.
What 4L Does
We give you the estimate in writing before any work begins, and the price you approve is the price you pay. If we find something that changes the scope of the job, we stop, explain it, and get your approval before we carry on. If you want to see where your job starts before anyone comes out, the estimator gives you a starting price.
4. What warranty do you offer on your workmanship?
Parts have manufacturer warranties. Workmanship warranties are on the plumber’s labor and installation quality. A company confident in its work offers one. Ask for the specific duration and what it covers.
What 4L Does
Workmanship warranty on every job we complete.
5. Who will actually do the work, the person you’re talking to or a subcontractor?
Larger companies often subcontract to whoever is available. The quality, experience level, and insurance coverage of that person may differ significantly from what you were quoted.
What 4L Does
Our team does the work. We don’t sub out residential jobs to unknown third parties.
6. Can you pull the permit for this job?
Many residential plumbing jobs in Texas require a permit, especially water heater replacements and any work involving the main line. Unpermitted work can cause problems at resale, and only a Master Plumber can pull plumbing permits in Texas.
What 4L Does
We pull permits where required. If your job needs one, we handle it.
Ready to put us to the test?
Call us, ask every question on this list, and we’ll answer each one directly. If you like what you hear, we’ll schedule your job. If not, no pressure.
WHAT IT COSTS AND HOW YOU PAY
Price in Writing Before Work Starts
You get a written price covering the scope we recommend and what it includes. No verbal estimates. No extra charges added after the fact. You approve the scope and cost before we start.
Workmanship Warranty
Every installation we perform is backed by a workmanship warranty. If a problem with our work develops within the warranty period, we return and fix it at no charge to you.
Office Hours and Emergency Availability
Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies. Reach us at 979-473-9775.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to a licensed plumber
Describe what your plumbing is doing and we will tell you what it likely is before anyone comes out.
RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING NEAR YOU
We work in homes across College Station, Bryan and the towns around them. Pick your town, or check whether we cover your area.
Water Is Actively Damaging Your Home. Don’t Wait Until Monday.
A burst pipe or active slab leak can cause thousands in structural damage within hours. Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies. We’ll give you a written price before we start any repair, even on emergency calls.
Speak with someone who can dispatch, not an answering service.
Call Now for Emergency ServiceSchedule Non-Emergency Service
College Station · Bryan · Brenham · Grimes, Burleson and Robertson Counties
Not the job you have? See all plumbing services, or call 979-473-9775 and describe what you are seeing.
Common questions
Is there a charge just to come out?
There is a service call fee to get a licensed plumber to your property. It covers the trip. As soon as you approve diagnostic work or a repair, that fee is folded into the price rather than charged on top.
Do I get a price before anything starts?
Yes. You get the price in writing before work begins and nothing happens until you approve it. When the cause is not obvious, we explain what is involved and give you the diagnostic price first.
What if I decide not to go ahead after the diagnosis?
You owe nothing for work you did not approve. Diagnostic work you did approve is still due, because that part was already carried out. There is no pressure to book the repair with us.
Can you come out after hours or on the weekend?
Yes, for emergencies. Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies. Outside those hours the line connects you to a technician rather than a message service.
My house is older and the pipes are galvanized. Do you still work on it?
Yes. Galvanized supply lines are common in older homes here. They narrow from the inside as they corrode, which shows up as weak pressure everywhere at once. We test before recommending anything, and a whole home repipe is one of the jobs we do.
What does the workmanship warranty cover?
Our work carries a workmanship warranty. Equipment carries whatever warranty the manufacturer provides, which is separate and depends on their terms. The written version is on our terms and conditions page.
Can I get a price without calling first?
Yes. The estimator gives you a starting price for the exact job before anyone comes out. It takes about thirty seconds and it tells you what is covered and what is quoted separately.
Who actually turns up, and are they licensed?
Every technician holds a Texas plumbing license, with a minimum of 4,000 hours of on the job training behind it. 4L Contracting holds Texas Master Plumber License 40980 and carries insurance.
Have a plumbing question? Contact an expert.