Jonestown, TX Plumber for Grinder Pumps, Water Heaters and AC Replacement

Real Texas Plumbing, Heating & Air is a licensed plumbing and AC company, family-owned since 2018, serving Jonestown homeowners from our Lago Vista shop. We repair and replace grinder pumps, clear main line drains, replace water heaters, and replace air conditioners. You get the price in writing before we start any work. We're 2024 and 2026 Nextdoor Faves.

If your grinder pump alarm is going off, your water heater is leaking, or your AC quit in the middle of a Texas summer, start with the quick steps below, then call or text us at (512) 662-2949.

• Texas Responsible Master Plumber RMP44420

• TDLR Air Conditioning Contractor TACLA22663C

• 4.9 stars on Google, with 130+ five-star reviews

• Family-owned since 2018

• 2024 and 2026 Nextdoor Fave

• Open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 8 AM to noon

Quick help

• Grinder pump alarm: Stop using water. Reset the pump breaker once. Do not open the tank. Call (512) 662-2949.

• Water heater leaking: Shut the cold water valve on the tank. Turn off power at the breaker (electric) or the gas control (gas). Call us. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911.

• AC not cooling: Check that the thermostat is on Cool and the filter is clean. If you see ice on the lines, switch the system off and call us.

Grinder pump alarm going off in Jonestown? Do this first

A grinder pump alarm means wastewater is coming into the tank faster than the pump is sending it out. Stop using water, reset the pump's breaker one time, leave the tank lid closed, and call or text us at (512) 662-2949. The usual causes are a failed float switch, a clog from wipes, a bad check valve or a wiring fault, and many get fixed without replacing the pump.

What to do right now

1. Stop using water. Every flush, shower and load of laundry adds to a tank that is not emptying.

2. Silence the alarm, but do not ignore it. Most panels have a silence button. The red light stays on until the water level drops.

3. Check the breaker once. If the grinder pump breaker tripped, reset it one time. If it trips again, leave it off. That points to a motor or wiring problem.

4. Leave the tank closed. It holds raw sewage and live wiring.

5. Call or text us. Tell us what the panel is doing (light, horn or both) and whether it rained recently. That helps us bring the right parts.

How urgent is it?

If sewage is backing up into a tub or coming out of the overflow pipe near the tank, stop all water use and call right away. Those calls get priority. If only the light is on and you can hold off on water, it can usually wait for our next opening.

Who owns the grinder pump in Jonestown?

You do. The City of Jonestown's wastewater service application says grinder pumps are the property of the homeowner and are maintained by the customer. That is why a plumber, not the city, is who you call when yours fails. If sewage is coming up in the street or you think the problem is the city's main line, contact the City of Jonestown wastewater department.

Neighborhoods we work in

The Hollows and Northshore. Built from 2001 to today, and the only part of Jonestown on city sewer. The city's wastewater application says the grinder pump belongs to the homeowner, so when the alarm goes off you call a plumber, not the city. Our calls here are grinder pump alarms, water pressure and pressure regulators, AC and heat pump repair, and water heater replacement.

Old Jonestown and Jonestown Hills. 1960s lake cottages through brand new custom homes, all on septic, so no grinder pumps. We get called for drains and toilets, leaks, and water heater repair, including tankless units.

Ranchland Hills. Newer homes on septic. AC inspections, leak detection and clogged condensate drains are the common calls.

Point Venture. Just across the water, with its own utility district. Homes have grinder pumps the homeowner owns, and the district's rules require a licensed plumber for repairs. We handle water heaters and bathroom plumbing there as well.

A real call: the $5,000 quote that was a float switch

Another plumber told a Jonestown area homeowner he needed a new pump for $5,000, without looking at it. We diagnosed it over an afternoon: bad float switches. We fixed it Monday. Replacing a pump is sometimes the right answer. It should come after someone proves what failed.

Two more stories like this are on our grinder pump repair and replacement page.

Repair or replace? How we decide

We recommend a new grinder pump when the motor or seals have failed, when it keeps failing, or when repair parts cost close to a new unit. Age alone is not a reason. Before you approve anything, you get:

• Photos of what failed

• A written price for each option: repair, and replace if it makes sense

• How long each option should last

When replacement is the right call, we match the pump to how far and how high it has to push wastewater to the main, replace the check valve, set and test the floats and alarm, and secure all wiring.

What does a grinder pump replacement cost in Jonestown? Most replacements run $6,000 to $12,000 installed, depending on tank depth, the pump your system takes, how far the discharge line runs to the main, and whether the control panel or alarm failed too. Repairs cost a fraction of that, and many alarm calls end as a repair. The $65 trip charge is credited toward the work, and you get a written price for each option before anything starts.

Water heater replacement in Jonestown: what to expect

If your water heater is leaking from the tank itself, it needs to be replaced. If it just stopped making hot water, it is often a part. We tell you which one it is, in writing, before we start. Replacing a water heater in Jonestown also needs a city permit and inspection, and we take care of that for you.

Whether you live in The Hollows, Northlake Hills, South Jonestown Hills or closer to the lake, the steps are the same.

Repair or replace your water heater?

Replace it when:

• Water is pooling from the tank itself, not from a pipe or fitting

• The hot water runs rusty

• The tank is around 10 years old or more and the repair would cost about half the price of a new one

• It has needed repeat repairs

Repair it when:

• The tank is dry but you have no hot water, which is often a thermostat, heating element or gas control

• The pilot light keeps going out

• A relief valve drips and the tank is otherwise healthy

• The unit is young and the part is cheap

Does Jonestown's water shorten a water heater's life?

It can. Water in the Lake Travis area picks up minerals from the surrounding limestone. Those minerals form scale at the bottom of a tank and on heating parts, so the heater works harder and may wear out sooner. Tankless heaters scale too, and most manufacturers recommend periodic descaling. If your tank rumbles or pops when it heats, scale is a likely cause. Ask us about a yearly flush or a water softener.

Tank or tankless?

We will tell you honestly which one fits your home. If a plain tank is the right call, we will say so. See our tankless water heater installation page for the other side.

What is included when we replace your water heater

• Removal and haul-away of the old unit

• New water heater set, vented and connected to code

• New relief valve and drain line

• Expansion tank when your system needs one

• Drain pan where needed

• City permit and inspection

• A full test and a walk-through with you before we leave

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Jonestown?

Yes. The City of Jonestown requires a permit and an inspection for water heater replacements. The city says smaller projects like this usually take less than 3 days to get approved. The city lets a contractor handle the application for you, and we do that as part of the job, so you do not have to visit City Hall.

AC replacement in Jonestown: when to replace, what it costs, what to expect

Replace your AC when it is more than 10 years old and the repair is a big one, when it still runs on R-22 refrigerant, or when repairs keep coming back. A new split-system AC in Texas has to be rated at least 14.3 SEER2 (for systems under 45,000 BTU), so the cheapest units from years ago are gone. We give you written options before we start, and we handle the city permit.

Maybe your AC just quit, or a tech handed you a big repair quote on an older system and you are not sure what to do. Either way, here is how to think it through.

Repair or replace your AC?

Lean toward replacing when:

• The system is past 10 years and needs a major part like a compressor or coil

• It uses R-22 refrigerant, which is scarce and costly to refill

• Repair bills keep stacking up year after year

• Some rooms never cool no matter what you do

• Your electric bills climb while your use stays the same

Lean toward repairing when:

• The system is young and the problem is a small part, like a capacitor or contactor

• The repair costs a small fraction of a new system

• A clogged filter, drain line or thermostat is the real cause

One rule of thumb: multiply the system's age by the repair quote. If the number gets large next to a new system's price, replacement is usually the smarter spend. It is a guide, not a promise.

What does "14.3 SEER2" mean on my quote?

SEER2 is the efficiency rating for cooling. A higher number means less electricity for the same cooling. Since January 1, 2023, the federal minimum for a new split-system AC in Texas is 14.3 SEER2 for systems under 45,000 BTU and 13.8 SEER2 for larger ones. Heat pumps must reach 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. Anything above that is optional. We will show you what the step up costs and what it may save, so you can decide without pressure. See the Department of Energy's rules.

Why sizing matters in Jonestown homes

A system that is too big short-cycles and leaves the house clammy. One that is too small runs all day and never catches up. Lots on Jonestown's hills get very different sun. A west-facing hilltop house and a shaded home near the lake do not need the same system. We size your replacement to your house, not to whatever unit was there before.

What to expect when we replace your AC

1. We look and measure. We check your ducts, airflow, and the old system before pricing anything.

2. You get written options. Two or three choices, with prices, and no pressure to pick the biggest.

3. We pull the permit. The City of Jonestown requires a permit and inspection for HVAC replacements.

4. Start-up and walk-through. We test cooling, airflow and the thermostat with you before we leave.

Do I need a permit to replace my AC in Jonestown?

Yes. The City of Jonestown requires a permit and inspection for HVAC system replacements, and says smaller projects like this usually take less than 3 days to get a permit. See the City of Jonestown permitting page.

What does AC replacement cost in Jonestown?

Price depends on size, ducts, efficiency level and brand. Your written price comes before any work starts.

Comprehensive Plumbing Solutions

We provide an extensive range of services catering specifically to the diverse needs of Jonestown residents. Our goal is to ensure your home's comfort and efficiency throughout the year with our expert plumbing services, which include:

• Drain Cleaning: Our expert team tackles stubborn clogs, including main line drain clearing, and maintains smooth drainage systems to prevent blockages and water damage.

• Water Heater Solutions: We specialize in both traditional and tankless water heater installation and repair, ensuring you have hot water when you need it without high energy bills.

• Grinder Pump Services: Our professionals install and maintain grinder pumps to efficiently manage wastewater and prevent sewer backups.

• Pipe Repair & Maintenance: Whether it's a minor leak or a major break, our team repairs and maintains pipes to keep your water systems functioning perfectly.

• Heating Services: From routine maintenance to heat pump installation, we keep your home warm and energy-efficient in colder seasons.

• Air Conditioner Services: Beat the Texas heat with our comprehensive air conditioning service, covering installation, repair, and maintenance to keep your cooling systems running smoothly.

Why Jonestown Residents Choose Us

Choosing Real Texas Plumbing means working with a family-owned team that holds Texas Responsible Master Plumber license RMP44420 and TDLR air conditioning contractor license TACLA22663C, gives you a written price before any work starts, and applies the $65 trip charge toward the work. We're 2024 and 2026 Nextdoor Faves, and we work on homes only.

Proudly Serving All Corners of Jonestown, TX

Our service area covers Jonestown from The Hollows and Northshore on Lake Travis to Old Jonestown, Jonestown Hills and Ranchland Hills. We work on homes only.

Nearby areas we serve: Lago Vista, The Hollows, South Jonestown Hills and Northlake Hills.