Beware the Burnt Earth: How North Texas Dry-Spells Can Secretly Ruin Your Plumbing
North Texas summers are legendary—hot, dry, and sometimes brutal on our plumbing. While most people brace for heat, fewer realize just how dramatically dry, shrinking soil can harm pipes buried beneath the ground.
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1. Why Dry Soil Is a Big Deal—Even Underground
Drought causes clay-heavy North Texas soil to pull away from your foundation. As that soil shrinks and cracks, it shifts everything it supports—including your underground plumbing lines. This shifting puts stress on joints and pipes, increasing the risk of cracks and leaks.
2. Water Main Breaks: More Than Just Old Pipes
Last summer, an aging cast-iron water main burst in Fort Worth, sending water flooding the streets. The culprit? Dry, shifting ground under intense heat. When the soil can’t support the pipe, even the toughest of materials fail.
3. Soil Stress Points: Where Breaks Happen First
The worst part? Leaks often occur at transition fittings, where rigid PVC meets copper. These spots—typically found just a few feet from your home—are where stress concentrates, especially when the ground moves.
4. Save Your Pipes (and Your Wallet): What You Can Do
Schedule annual inspections—especially after a long dry spell or heatwave. A simple camera check can catch shifts before leaks start.
Watch for signs: odd pressure drops, soggy spots in unexpected places, or mysteriously high water usage.
Water your foundation: Setting soaker hoses to run briefly during dry nights can help maintain stabilizing soil moisture levels.
Why SWAT Plumbing?
Expert detection—from camera inspections to pinpoint leak spots
Fast, flood-control repairs—before damage worsens
Local know-how—we understand North Texas soil, foundation movement, and how to adapt
Don’t wait for leaks to reveal themselves after the ground moves. Schedule your inspection now and protect your pipes all summer long.