Summer in Dallas means BBQs, vacations, and triple-digit heat—but it can also mean plumbing trouble. As temperatures rise and households become more active, your plumbing system can get pushed to its limits.
At Total Plumbing, we see a surge in service calls during the summer months across Dallas–Fort Worth, and many of them are completely preventable. Below, we’re breaking down the most common summer plumbing problems in Dallas, how to spot them, and what you can do to keep your home running smoothly all season long.
- Clogged Garbage Disposals
Summer is peak time for entertaining, and that usually means more food scraps going down the kitchen sink. Unfortunately, items like corn husks, watermelon rinds, greasy BBQ leftovers, and fruit pits can wreak havoc on your garbage disposal.
Signs of trouble include strange noises, water backing up in the sink, foul smells, or a disposal that won’t turn on or spins slowly. Avoid putting fibrous or starchy foods down the disposal, and always run cold water before, during, and after use. If your disposal is jammed or won’t reset, give us a call—we offer fast, affordable kitchen plumbing repairs.
- Sewer Line Backups
Dallas summers are known for intense thunderstorms and sudden downpours, which can overwhelm sewer systems—especially older or tree-lined ones. Increased water usage combined with heavy rain can lead to sewer line backups, often without much warning.
Watch for multiple drains backing up at once, gurgling toilets, foul sewage odors, or water pooling in your yard. Schedule a sewer line camera inspection before summer hits, especially if your home is older or you’ve had issues in the past. Total Plumbing offers trenchless solutions that are less invasive and more cost-effective.
- Outdoor Faucet and Sprinkler Leaks
With sprinkler systems and garden hoses in full use, leaks from outdoor faucets (hose bibs) or underground sprinkler lines can go unnoticed until you get hit with a sky-high water bill.
Common issues include dripping hose spigots, cracks in sprinkler heads or lines, or uneven watering in the lawn. Inspect outdoor plumbing for damage left over from winter freezes, and turn off systems during rainy days. Total Plumbing can detect underground irrigation leaks using specialized tools.
- Slab Leaks
While slab leaks are a year-round problem in Dallas, they’re more common during the summer thanks to soil expansion and contraction caused by extreme heat. As the clay soil under your home dries out, it can shift—putting pressure on pipes beneath your foundation.
Look for warm spots on the floor, unexplained spikes in your water bill, mildew or flooring damage, or low water pressure. If you suspect a slab leak, call Total Plumbing immediately. We specialize in non-invasive slab leak detection and repair for Dallas-area homes.
- Toilet Troubles from Increased Use
When the kids are out of school or guests are visiting more often, your bathrooms are working overtime. That added strain can lead to toilet clogs, running toilets, or even leaks at the base of the toilet.
To help prevent issues, remind kids not to flush wipes or excessive paper, check for constantly running tanks, and watch for any water around the base. If your toilet needs frequent plunging, the problem could be deeper in the drain line. We can inspect and clear blockages before they cause major backups.
- Water Heater Struggles
You might not think about hot water in the summer, but water heaters still work hard to support laundry, showers, and dishwashing. And if your tank is located in a hot attic or garage (common in DFW), extreme temps can wear it out faster.
Watch for rusty or discolored hot water, strange noises from the tank, reduced water temperature, or puddles under the unit.
Schedule a summer tune-up to flush sediment from your tank and ensure the thermostat is set correctly. We also install energy-efficient tankless water heaters if it’s time to upgrade.
