Houston plumbing faces some tough local conditions. Clay soil moves under slab foundations and stresses the pipes beneath them, hard freezes are rare but damaging, and heavy rain can overwhelm sewer lines. Knowing the local risks helps you catch problems early.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent plumbing provider that serves the Houston area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Common plumbing problems in Houston
Slab leaks
Most Houston homes sit on concrete slabs over clay soil that swells and shrinks with the weather. The movement can crack supply and drain lines under the floor.
Freezes
During the February 2021 winter storm, pipes burst across Houston, because many homes have pipes in attics and outside walls that were never built for long freezes.
Sewer backups in heavy rain
Heavy rain can overwhelm sewer lines and push sewage back up through the lowest drains in the home.
Tree roots
Mature trees in many neighborhoods send roots into older sewer lines, causing slow drains and blockages.
Areas across Houston
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Houston, including neighborhoods such as the Heights, Montrose, Meyerland, Memorial, Kingwood and Clear Lake, and in nearby cities such as Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, Katy, Cypress, Spring and The Woodlands.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Houston. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Houston, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the City of Houston Permitting Center. Homes in other cities, such as Pasadena, Pearland or Sugar Land, follow the rules of that city or county.
Texas regulates mold work through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. If smoke or firefighting water leads to mold, larger remediation jobs must be done by a licensed company.
Seasonal risks in Houston
If you smell gas, leave the home and call 911 or your gas company from outside. If water is near electrics, stay out of it.
- Winter: rare hard freezes can burst attic and exterior pipes.
- Hurricane season: heavy rain can bring sewer backups.
- Summer: dry spells shrink clay soil and stress pipes under slabs.
- All year: tree roots slowly work into older sewer lines.
Be prepared
- Know where your main water shut off valve is
- Insulate pipes in the attic and outside walls before a freeze
- Watch for warm spots on floors or rising water bills, which can mean a slab leak
- Have older sewer lines checked with a camera
- Keep grease out of drains
Learn more before you call
Our main plumbing guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Houston just as it does everywhere else.
Houston questions
Do plumbers need a license in Texas?
Yes. Plumbers in Texas are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. You can check a license on the board’s website.
What are the signs of a slab leak?
Warm spots on the floor, damp flooring, the sound of running water with taps off and a higher water bill are common signs.
Who fixes a leak on the city side of the meter?
Leaks on the city side are handled by the City of Houston. Report them through Houston 311. Leaks on your side are your responsibility.
Does Sifixit have an office in Houston?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Houston area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.