Shreveport Plumbing FAQ
Our team has put together straight answers to common plumbing questions from Shreveport homeowners. For anything else, call (318) 300-4894.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
A burst or actively leaking pipe you cannot stop, sewage backing up into the house, a water heater leaking heavily, a gas smell, or no water at all. For a gas smell, leave the house and call the gas utility and 911 first, then call us. When you need emergency plumbing in Shreveport, our team is ready to help.
Where is my main water shut-off?
Some homes have a valve where the water line enters the house. Otherwise use the valve at the meter, which in Shreveport is generally at the front of the property, between the edge of the road pavement and your property line. Our team wrote a full guide: How to find your water shut-off.
Why are leaks common here?
Three reasons. A large share of Shreveport homes were built before 1970 and still have old pipe. The heavy clay along the Red River shrinks and swells, which stresses buried lines. And hard freezes, like those of February 2021 and December 2022, split exposed pipes. More on this: Common plumbing problems in Shreveport. We are committed to making leak detection in Shreveport careful and reliable.
Is Shreveport water hard?
No, it is on the soft side. The city draws from Cross Lake, and its purification superintendent has put the average hardness at about 45 to 50 milligrams per litre. Scale is a smaller problem here than in hard-water cities, but sediment still collects in water heaters, so flushing the tank once a year is worthwhile. We will ensure that your water heater maintenance in Shreveport is handled by professionals.
Should I get a tankless water heater?
They save space and heat water only when you need it, but a gas tankless unit often needs a larger gas line and different venting, and it still needs periodic servicing. Our team will compare a tank and a tankless unit for your household size so you make the right choice.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work?
The City of Shreveport requires a permit for work on plumbing and gas piping systems, and its Permits and Inspections division handles plumbing permits for the city and Caddo Parish. If anyone tells you no permit is needed for a new gas line or a repipe, be cautious. Our team is fully committed to permitted, inspected plumbing work in Shreveport.
Are your plumbers licensed?
Louisiana law requires anyone performing plumbing work to hold a licence from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana, and you should expect nothing less from the plumber who comes to your home. You can look up any plumber on the board's public roster, "Find a Licensed Plumber", at spbla.com. Asking about it is normal and expected, and we believe that transparency is part of reliable service.
What should I do before the plumber arrives?
Shut the water off if something is actively leaking, clear the area under the sink or around the water heater, keep pets out of the way, and have any notes or photos about when the problem started ready.
Do you cover Bossier City, Greenwood and Blanchard?
Yes. Our team serves all three; see the service areas page. Outside those towns, call and ask. Our team is focused on high-quality plumbing repair across Shreveport, Bossier City, Greenwood and Blanchard.
Who is responsible for the sewer line in my yard?
You are. The City of Shreveport does not repair private sewer lines; property owners maintain the sewer pipes in their buildings and within their property lines. If the line keeps backing up, a camera inspection shows where the problem is. See sewer line repair.
How do I reach a plumber right now?
Call (318) 300-4894 and describe the problem and where you are. If water is running, close the main shut-off first. Our team is committed to reliable plumbing repair across Shreveport, and every job is handled by professionals.