Texas plumbing is shaped by three things more than anything else: slab-on-grade construction, clay soils that swell when wet and shrink in drought, and weather that ranges from long summer heat to the occasional hard freeze. Most homes in the big metros sit on concrete slabs with supply and drain lines running underneath, which is why slab leaks and under-slab drain problems come up so often here.
The February 2021 winter storm showed how exposed Texas plumbing can be to freezing. Many homes were built for heat, with pipes in exterior walls, attics and uninsulated garages, and water heaters frequently sit in garages or attics rather than conditioned space.
Plumbing services we provide in Texas
These are the services Texas homeowners call about most often, based on the conditions above.
Leak Detection
Leak detection is the process of locating a hidden water leak, in a wall, ceiling, slab or underground line, with as little demolition as possible.
Leak Detection details →
Drain Cleaning
Drain cleaning is the mechanical removal of buildup, debris or roots from drain and waste pipes so water flows freely to the sewer or septic system.
Drain Cleaning details →
Water Heater Repair
Water heater repair restores a tank or tankless water heater to safe, normal operation by fixing components such as thermostats, heating elements, burners, valves and controls.
Water Heater Repair details →
Pipe Repair
Pipe repair is fixing a damaged section of a home's water supply or drain piping, from a pinhole leak or failed fitting to a split caused by freezing.
Pipe Repair details →
Sewer Line Repair
Sewer line repair fixes damage to the building sewer or lateral, the pipe that carries wastewater from a house to the public sewer main or septic system.
Sewer Line Repair details →Local conditions that affect plumbing in Texas
Slab foundations and soil movement
Expansive clay soils in much of central, north and southeast Texas move with moisture changes. That movement stresses pipes under and around slabs, so leak detection and under-slab drain inspection are common needs.
Freeze exposure in a warm-climate state
Hard freezes are infrequent but damaging, because many homes have pipes in attics, exterior walls and garages. Insulation and knowing your shutoff location matter even in South Texas.
Hard water in many areas
Groundwater-supplied areas, including San Antonio, tend to have hard water, which speeds up scale in water heaters and fixtures.
Attic and garage water heaters
Water heaters in attics need properly drained pans; a leak there can bring down a ceiling.
Texas-specific service guides
Where a service works differently in Texas because of soils, climate, water or local rules, we cover it in depth:
City plumbing guides in Texas
Plumbing in Austin
Limestone Hill Country to the west and expansive clay to the east, moderately hard water, slab homes, rapid growth and winter storms that disrupted the water system.
Austin guide →
Plumbing in Corpus Christi
Coastal Bend humidity and salt air, hurricanes, drought-driven water restrictions, slab homes on clay, and a regional reservoir and pipeline water supply.
Corpus Christi guide →
Plumbing in Dallas
Shrink-swell Blackland Prairie clay, slab foundations, hot summers and periodic hard freezes.
Dallas guide →
Plumbing in El Paso
Desert water from the Rio Grande, aquifers and a large inland desalination plant, hard water, caliche soils, slab homes and rare but damaging hard freezes.
El Paso guide →
Plumbing in Fort Worth
Expansive North Texas clay, slab foundations, hot summers, hard freezes most winters and attic water heaters.
Fort Worth guide →
Plumbing in Houston
Slab foundations on expansive clay, aging cast iron drains under mid-century homes, Gulf Coast storms and the occasional hard freeze.
Houston guide →
Plumbing in San Antonio
Very hard water from the Edwards Aquifer, slab foundations, clay and limestone soils, and hot summers.
San Antonio guide →
Plumbing in Arlington
Mid-century and 1970s–80s slab homes on clay soils, cast iron drains, its own city water utility, and frequent freeze exposure in attics and garages.
Arlington guide →
Plumbing in Frisco
One of the fastest-growing cities in the country: mostly post-2000 slab homes with PEX, tankless and gas water heaters, NTMWD water, and builder-warranty-era issues.
Frisco guide →
Plumbing in Garland
1950s–70s slab homes with cast iron drains and galvanized lines, expansive clay, NTMWD water, and a city-owned electric utility.
Garland guide →
Plumbing in Irving
1960s–80s slab homes with cast iron drains, Las Colinas condos and apartments, clay soils, and DFW-area freeze exposure.
Irving guide →
Plumbing in McKinney
A historic downtown with century-old homes next to fast-growing new subdivisions, expansive clay, NTMWD water, and a mix of old and new plumbing.
McKinney guide →Plumbing in Plano
1970s–1990s slab homes on expansive clay, cast iron drains under older slabs, NTMWD water with an annual chlorine maintenance period, and freeze exposure in attics and garages.
Plano guide →- Drain Cleaning in Houston
- Leak Detection in Houston
- Sewer Line Repair in Houston
- Pipe Repair in Houston
- Leak Detection in Dallas
- Pipe Repair in Dallas
- Water Heater Repair in Dallas
- Water Softeners & Filtration in San Antonio
- Water Heater Repair in San Antonio
- Leak Detection in San Antonio
- Leak Detection in Austin
- Water Heater Repair in Austin
- Pipe Repair in Austin
- Leak Detection in Fort Worth
- Pipe Repair in Fort Worth
- Water Heater Repair in Fort Worth
- Sewer Line Repair in Plano
- Leak Detection in Plano
- Sewer Line Repair in Arlington
- Drain Cleaning in Irving
- Water Heater Replacement & Installation in Frisco
- Pipe Repair in McKinney
- Sewer Line Repair in Garland
- Water Softeners & Filtration in El Paso
- Pipe Repair in El Paso
- Leak Detection in Corpus Christi
- Pipe Repair in Corpus Christi
Plumbing emergency in Texas?
- Shut off the main water valve if water is leaking or a pipe has burst.
- Keep away from water near outlets, cords or the electrical panel.
- If sewage is backing up, stop using every drain in the house.
- If you smell gas, leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Texas plumbing questions
Why are slab leaks so common in Texas?
Many Texas homes are built on slabs over clay soils that expand and contract with moisture. That movement, combined with water lines running under the concrete, makes under-slab leaks more common than in regions with basements or crawl spaces.
Do Texas homes need to worry about frozen pipes?
Yes, occasionally. Hard freezes are rare in much of the state, but homes built for heat often have exposed pipes. During freeze warnings, drip faucets on exterior walls, open cabinet doors and protect outdoor plumbing.
Where is the water shutoff in a Texas slab home?
It is often outside near the foundation where the line enters, in the garage, or at the meter box near the street. Find and test it before you need it.
Should Texas homes have water heaters in the attic?
Many do, but attic heaters need a drain pan, a properly routed drain line and freeze protection. Leaks from attic heaters can damage ceilings quickly.
Is Texas water hard?
Much of Texas has hard water, especially areas supplied by limestone aquifers like the Edwards Aquifer around San Antonio and Austin.
Do I need a backflow preventer in Texas?
Irrigation systems and some other connections require backflow prevention, and many utilities require annual testing.
How do I prepare Texas plumbing for a freeze?
Insulate exposed pipes, cover hose bibs, drip faucets on exterior walls and know where your main shutoff is.
Are septic systems common in Texas?
Yes, outside city sewer areas. Aerobic systems are common and often require maintenance contracts.
Why does my Texas home have low water pressure?
Pressure regulators, corroded pipes or slab leaks can lower pressure; testing helps identify the cause.