Professional Plumber in Las Vegas, NM

Carefully and with patience. Historic buildings here often have plumbing that's been modified repeatedly over more than a century. We start by trying to understand the existing system—where lines actually run, what materials were used, what previous work was done. Sometimes that requires camera inspection or exploratory work. We look for solutions that preserve historic fabric where possible while meeting code and functionality requirements. Access is often the biggest challenge—tight crawl spaces, limited openings, trying not to damage plaster or original materials. We've worked on enough historic buildings in Las Vegas to know what we're getting into. The work costs more because it takes more time and care, but we get it done right.

You're dealing with sewer lines that are 60 to 100+ years old in many cases. Original systems used clay pipe, which cracks over time from ground movement, freezing, and age. Every crack or joint is an invitation for tree roots, and the mature trees along Las Vegas streets have had decades to find those openings. Once roots get in, they create blockages and accelerate pipe deterioration. We camera inspect sewer lines to see exactly what's happening—roots, cracks, bellied sections, whatever. Solutions range from root clearing and treatment for minor problems to pipe lining or replacement for failed lines. It's just the reality of working with infrastructure that predates the automobile.

If we catch it before it bursts, thawing a frozen pipe might run $200 to $400 depending on location and access. If it's already burst, you're looking at repair costs that depend on damage extent and location—$500 to $1,500 is typical for pipe repair, plus any water damage remediation if it flooded before you caught it. Prevention is way cheaper than repair. If you've got exposed pipes in crawl spaces or exterior walls, insulation and heat tape are good investments. During polar vortex events, leaving faucets dripping overnight prevents freezing. We get a lot of frozen pipe calls in Las Vegas during January and February.

That's a financial decision more than a plumbing one, but I can tell you what to expect. Older homes with original galvanized pipes will need repiping sooner or later—$6,000 to $10,000 depending on size and access. Water heaters over 10 years old should be budgeted for replacement. Look at the heating system age and condition. Check the sewer line if possible—camera inspection reveals problems before they cause expensive backups. Factor these costs into your purchase and rental income calculations. Student rentals take hard use, so plan on more frequent repairs than owner-occupied homes. If the numbers work with realistic maintenance costs included, rental properties near campus can be decent investments. Just don't be the landlord who ignores maintenance until things catastrophically fail.

Las Vegas water is hard enough to benefit from softening, though not as aggressively hard as Santa Fe. You'll see mineral buildup on fixtures and shortened water heater life without a softener. With a softener, your water heater might last 10 to 12 years instead of 7 to 9, and you'll spend less time scrubbing mineral deposits off fixtures. A whole-house softener runs $1,500 to $2,800 installed. It's a good long-term investment if you're staying in your home, but not quite as critical as in locations with even harder water. If you're choosing where to spend limited funds, I'd prioritize essential repairs first, then add a softener when budget allows.