Yes. In Texas, plumbing work for hire must be performed by or under the supervision of plumbers licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. License levels include apprentice, tradesman, journeyman and master. Homeowners can generally do some work on their own homestead, but local permit rules still apply. On The Way Plumbing holds Texas master plumber license #M-44817.

Ask the plumber for their license number, then look it up using the public license search on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website. The search shows the license type and whether it's active. Licensed Texas plumbers typically display their number on their trucks, website and paperwork. On The Way Plumbing's master plumber license is #M-44817.

Much of Texas has moderately hard to very hard water, though hardness varies widely by water source and city. Areas supplied by groundwater and limestone aquifers tend to be harder, while some lake-fed systems are softer. Your city's annual water quality report usually lists hardness. Hard water leaves scale on fixtures and inside water heaters, which is why many homeowners consider a water softener.

Often, yes. Most Texas cities require permits for jobs like water heater replacement, repiping, sewer line work, gas lines and new fixtures in additions, while minor repairs like fixing a faucet usually don't. Rules vary by city and county, so check with your local building department. A licensed plumber familiar with your area can handle permits for you. See the towns we serve.

Texas tap water from public systems has to meet state and federal drinking water standards, but many people dislike its taste or feel. Common reasons are hardness from minerals, the chlorine or chloramine used for disinfection, and seasonal earthy or musty tastes from algae in lake supplies. Hard water also causes scale and spotting. Filtration, reverse osmosis or a water softener can improve taste and reduce buildup.