Arlington doesn't give your plumbing much of a break. One February we get a week of freezing rain, and by August the pavement is hot enough to fry an egg. Pipes, water heaters and drains handle all of that swing quietly until they don't. Here's how we'd walk a neighbor through the year.
Winter: Freezes Come Faster Than You Think
Tarrant County sits in a spot where winter storms and ice storms show up with real force. FEMA's National Risk Index rates our county Very High for winter storms and ice storms, and Relatively High for cold waves. The trouble is that a hard freeze can arrive overnight after a mild afternoon, and most of the homes here were built around 1986, when plenty of exposed lines ran along exterior walls with thinner insulation than we'd like today.
Before the first cold snap, do a few simple things. Find your main shutoff and make sure you can actually turn it. Pull a garden hose off every outdoor spigot and drain it. If you have a spigot cover, put it on. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm room air reaches the lines.
Signs a Line Is Already Stressed
- Water pressure drops to a trickle in one fixture only
- A faint rotten-egg smell near the water heater
- Gurgling from a drain after the freeze lifts
- A damp spot on drywall next to a bathtub or sink
If one of those shows up, don't wait for a thaw to sort itself out. Call us at the phone number on our site and describe what you're seeing. Over the phone we can usually tell whether it's worth a same-week visit or something you can watch for a day or two.
Spring: Storm Season and Your Drains
Spring is when Tarrant County gets its most dramatic weather. NOAA logged 182 hail reports, 50 damaging-wind reports, 25 flood reports and 9 tornado reports across the county from 2022 through 2024. Plenty of those hit neighborhoods around Arlington, and the plumbing damage they cause is often sneaky.
Heavy rain pushes water toward your foundation and into the yard drains and sewer lateral. If your yard pools after a storm, or the toilet bubbles when the washing machine drains, your lateral line may be backing up. Clear the area around any cleanout cap so you can reach it. Don't flush wipes or paper towels after a big storm, since the system is already working harder than usual.
Storm-driven power flickers can also affect electric water heaters, which are common here because about 70 percent of Arlington homes heat with electricity. If your water runs cold after a blackout, check the breaker and the unit before assuming the worst.
Summer: Heat, Hard Water and Hot Water Demand
Summer in Arlington means long stretches above 95 degrees, and your plumbing feels it. Water heaters work hardest in July and August, and sediment builds faster in tanks when the water is hot. Once a year, drain a few gallons from the bottom valve and watch for grit. If the water comes out cloudy or the tank rumbles when it heats, that's a sign the tank needs attention.
Sprinkler systems run more often in summer too. Check that the backflow device and any exposed valves aren't leaking, and look for soggy patches that could mean a broken line under the lawn. A slow leak under the grass can waste water for weeks before anyone notices.
Quick Summer Habits
Run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads instead of several half loads. Keep a bucket handy for the shower while you wait for cold water. And if your outdoor spigot drips when you're not using it, the washer inside the valve is probably worn out, which is an easy repair when you catch it early.
Fall: Get Ready Before the Next Freeze
Fall is the best time to get ahead of winter. Temperatures in Arlington drop fast in late October and November, and that's when most people realize they never insulated the lines in the garage or crawl space. Foam sleeves cost little and take an afternoon to install. Cover the lines where they run along the outside walls, and seal any gaps where pipes enter the house.
This is also a good time to flush your water heater, test the temperature pressure relief valve, and look under every sink for drips. If you're on a well or have an older main line, ask a plumber to take a look before the cold arrives instead of during it.
Arlington Commercial Plumbing works with homeowners all over the city, and most of our calls in the fall come from people who wanted to be ready and found a small problem first. Give us a call to set up a same-week visit, and we'll walk through your home with you.
