Best Plumbing in Richardson, TX — 21 Vetted Contractors

Yes. The City of Richardson Building Inspection Division requires a permit for water heater replacements. This is true even for a straight swap of the same size and fuel type. A licensed plumber should pull the permit and schedule the inspection — it's typically included in a reputable contractor's quote. If someone offers to skip the permit to save time or money, decline: unpermitted water heater work can void the manufacturer warranty and create issues when you sell the home. Call Richardson Building Inspection at (972) 744-4100 to confirm current requirements.

The most reliable early indicators are: a water bill that's suddenly 20–40% higher than normal with no change in usage, the sound of running water when all fixtures are off, warm or damp spots on your floor (especially on a concrete slab), or visible cracks appearing in drywall or flooring. Richardson's clay soil movement makes slab leaks more common here than in many other markets. If you suspect one, don't wait — a slow slab leak can erode the soil under your foundation and cause structural damage. A professional leak detection service using acoustic or electronic equipment typically costs $300–$600 in the DFW area.

Richardson's water supply comes through Dallas Water Utilities and is generally classified as moderately hard to hard, typically in the 150–250 mg/L (milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate) range based on published DWU water quality reports. This level of hardness accelerates scale buildup in water heaters, reduces the lifespan of appliances, and clogs aerators over time. Ask your plumber about installing a whole-house water softener or at minimum a sediment and scale filter on your water heater inlet — particularly if you have a tankless unit, which is more sensitive to scale than a traditional tank.

Per the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), a Master Plumber has passed a more advanced licensing exam and can legally contract for plumbing work, pull permits, and supervise others. A Journeyman Plumber is licensed to perform plumbing work but must work under the supervision of a Master Plumber. When you hire a plumbing company, the permit must be pulled under a Master Plumber's license. You can verify both license types at tsbpe.texas.gov. The person physically doing the work may be a Journeyman — that's fine and normal — but a Master Plumber should be responsible for the job.

Strongly recommended. Homes from that era in Richardson commonly have cast-iron drain lines that are now 50+ years old and approaching or past their service life, galvanized steel supply lines that corrode from the inside and restrict flow, and original slab-embedded copper that has been through decades of clay-soil movement. A standard home inspection won't catch most of this. Hire a plumber to run a sewer camera through the main drain line ($150–$300) and visually inspect the supply system. It's cheap insurance against a $5,000–$15,000 surprise after closing.

Yes. The City of Richardson participates in water conservation rebate programs through Dallas Water Utilities and the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). As of 2025–2026, rebates have been available for WaterSense-certified toilets, smart irrigation controllers, and in some cycles, high-efficiency water heaters. Rebate availability and amounts change seasonally — check the City of Richardson's Water Conservation page or call (972) 744-4150 for current offerings before purchasing fixtures. Your plumber should also be aware of these programs; if they're not, that's worth noting.

It depends heavily on the repair method. A spot repair via jackhammering directly over the leak (if the location is confirmed precisely) can be completed in one to two days. A full reroute — running new PEX lines through the walls and attic to bypass the slab entirely — typically takes two to three days for an average-sized home and requires a permit and inspection from Richardson Building Inspection. Tunneling under the slab (preferred when protecting flooring is a priority) is the most time-intensive, often three to five days. Get a written scope that specifies the method, timeline, and what restoration work (concrete patching, flooring repair) is included.

First, locate your main water shutoff valve — in most Richardson slab homes it's near the front of the house at the meter box or inside near the water heater. Shut it off immediately to stop damage. Then call a licensed emergency plumber; most established DFW plumbing companies offer 24/7 service, though after-hours rates typically add $100–$200 to the base call fee. For a gas line emergency, leave the house, don't operate any switches, and call Atmos Energy's emergency line at 1-866-322-8667 before calling a plumber. For sewage backups, avoid using any drains until the blockage is cleared.