State plumbing guide · TX

Plumbing in Texas

Three things shape plumbing across much of Texas: clay soils that shrink and swell, slab foundations that put water lines under concrete, and hard freezes that are rare enough that many pipes were never protected against them. The details change a lot from city to city, starting with which plumbing code applies.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help across Texas

Median home built: 1994
Built before 1980: 31%
Owner-occupied: 62%
Winter: Occasional hard freezes; General statewide rating
Plumbing code: UPC and IPC
City guides: 18

Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035, B25034).

Texas city plumbing guides

How to check a plumber's license in Texas

Plumbers in Texas are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), which offers a public license search. Ask for a plumber's license number and check it before work starts. [1]

What to check on a license and an estimate

What shapes plumbing in Texas

Houston Black clay, the signature soil of the Texas Blackland Prairies, develops cracks 0.5 to 4 inches wide and at least a foot deep when dry. That seasonal shrinking and swelling moves slabs and the pipes under them. [3]

The February 11–20, 2021 freeze was the coldest Texas winter storm since December 1989. Pipes burst across the state and boil-water advisories were issued in many counties. [4]

Which plumbing code applies in Texas

The state plumbing board adopts both the Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code, and cities and public water systems may amend the code for local concerns. Large Texas cities have landed on different codes: Houston and Austin use the UPC, while Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio use the IPC. [2]

Seasonal problems to plan for in Texas

Summer: Clay soils dry and shrink, which can shift slab foundations and stress under-slab water lines and sewer pipes. Heavy irrigation use shows up leaks.
Winter: Short, sharp freezes. Pipes in exterior walls, attics, unheated garages and outdoor hose bibs are most exposed. See frozen pipe repair.
Spring and fall: Storms and heavy rain can overwhelm sewers; sewer backups and sump pumps matter in low-lying areas.

How old Texas's homes are

Statewide, the median home was built in 1994 and 31% of homes predate 1980. Homes like that were usually built with copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe. The city guides below show how much that varies within the state.

Regions of Texas

North Texas

Dallas–Fort Worth, on Blackland Prairie and Grand Prairie soils. Slab movement, sewer laterals under mature trees, occasional hard freezes.

Gulf Coast

Houston area: a mix of surface water and deep groundwater, flat terrain, and heavy rain events.

Central Texas

Austin and San Antonio along the Balcones Escarpment. San Antonio's aquifer water is very hard.

West Texas

El Paso: desert climate, blended river and groundwater, and the world's largest inland desalination plant.

Texas plumbing questions

How do I check a plumber's license in Texas?

Use the public license search on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website. Ask for the license number before work starts.

Which plumbing code applies in my Texas city?

It depends on the city. The state board adopts both the UPC and the IPC, and cities adopt and amend their own. Houston and Austin use the UPC; Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio use the IPC. Your city's building or development services department can confirm.

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Sources (5)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035, B25034) · checked 2026-10-01
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners · checked 2026-10-01
Texas Occupations Code §1301.255; city code adoption ordinances · checked 2026-10-01
USDA NRCS Official Soil Series Description: Houston Black · checked 2026-10-01
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information · checked 2026-10-01