For many homeowners, the summer months feel like a break from the usual wear and tear on a property. After all, the roof isn’t leaking, the boiler isn’t freezing, and the central heating is switched off. What could possibly go wrong with the plumbing?
The unfortunate reality is that a prolonged dry summer can be just as devastating to your home’s plumbing infrastructure as a harsh winter, and often in ways that are far more expensive and difficult to repair.
At East Coast Plumbing and Gas, we want to answer the question you’re likely asking right now: What exactly is a dry summer doing to my plumbing, and how much is this going to cost me?
The truth is, extreme dryness is a major threat to everything beneath your house and garden. When the soil around your property begins to contract, the movement and lack of moisture create a host of expensive problems.
Here are the top five plumbing issues we see that get significantly worse when the weather turns dry. If you’re based in Hawke’s Bay and want our help with any of these issues, contact the team at East Coast Plumbing and Gas today.
1. The Costly Reality of Shifting Foundations and Slab Leaks
This is the big one—the problem that causes the most fear and expense for homeowners.
The Problem: When the clay or soil beneath your house dries out, it shrinks. This shifting puts incredible stress on your home’s foundation and, critically, on the main water supply and drainage pipes running underneath your slab. These pipes are not designed to be flexible; a small shift in the foundation can cause them to crack, shear, or separate entirely. This results in a “slab leak” or “main line leak.”
The Dry Summer Connection: It is the movement of the earth that causes the damage. The leak itself then accelerates the problem by softening the soil in one specific area, further destabilising the foundation in a vicious cycle.
Our Honest Answer: Finding and repairing a slab leak is complex. It involves non-invasive leak detection equipment and often requires breaking through the concrete slab or rerouting the pipework (a process called re-piping). The repair costs are usually high, but the cost of not addressing it (further foundation damage, water wastage, and potential mould) can be far higher. If you notice damp spots, low pressure, or hear running water when nothing is on, call us immediately.
2. Aggressive Tree Root Invasion in Sewer Lines
You may assume tree roots are only an issue in periods of heavy rain, but they pose a much greater threat when the weather is dry.
The Problem: Tree roots are relentless water seekers. They will travel vast distances underground to find a reliable water source. As the ground around them dries out, the roots instinctively head for the moist, nutrient-rich environment of your sewer line. Even a hairline fracture or a loose joint in the pipe is an open invitation.
The Dry Summer Connection: The parched soil forces the roots to become hyper-aggressive. They will push into the slightest opening, rapidly expanding within the pipe. This leads to blockages, slow draining, bubbling toilets, and, eventually, a sewer backup.
Our Honest Answer: If you have established trees near your main drain runs, a dry summer is a high-risk time. The best solution is a professional drain camera inspection. We can locate the ingress point and determine whether the pipe can be cleared with hydro-jetting or if the section requires replacement. Ignoring a sluggish drain when the ground is dry will almost guarantee a complete blockage when the soil shrinks further. Contact us today to take action.
3. Sluggish Drains and Sewer Line Blockages
Beyond root issues, the lack of water in the system creates its own set of blockage problems.
The Problem: Your home’s drainage system relies on a certain volume of water to effectively move waste through the pipes and into the public sewer. This is called ‘scouring’ the pipe. When people conserve water during a drought, the overall flow rate through the main drain runs decreases significantly.
The Dry Summer Connection: Lower flow means that solid waste, grease, hair, and non-flushable items sit for longer in your pipes. They aren’t sufficiently scoured away. This accumulation, combined with the stress from soil movement (see points 1 and 2), creates the perfect scenario for a partial or complete blockage.
Our Honest Answer: This is often a matter of best practice. Be mindful of what you put down your drains. Never flush wipes, paper towels, or excessive food scraps. If your kitchen sink or shower is draining slowly, the problem is not going to fix itself. We use professional-grade electric drain cleaners and jetting equipment to clear these blockages far more effectively and safely than chemical drain cleaners, which can actually damage your pipes. Contact us today to clear your pipes and keep your drains flowing.
4. Sudden Water Main Leaks and Water Pressure Problems
Your water pressure is an important indicator of the health of your supply pipe.
The Problem: The main water line that runs from the street to your house is under constant pressure. Like the pipes under your slab, this pipe is susceptible to ground movement.
The Dry Summer Connection: The shifting, shrinking earth can cause an already old or corroded pipe to finally fail, resulting in a large, noticeable leak in your garden or front yard. However, more subtly, the shifting can also cause small fractures or pinhole leaks. These tiny leaks may not be obvious, but they cause a noticeable drop in your home’s overall water pressure and – if your property has a water meter – increase your water bill.
Our Honest Answer: Sudden, unexplained drops in water pressure that don’t recover can be a clear indicatorsof a leak in your water main. We use specialist detection equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the leak to minimise disruption to your garden and driveway, ensuring the repair is quick, precise, and cost-effective. Contact us today and talk to our team about the problem you’re experiencing with your water pressure. We’ll send out our experts to diagnose and fix the issue.
5. Stress on Older Pipework and Joints
While the big problems grab the headlines, the dry weather is also relentless on the minor components of your plumbing system.
The Problem: Older properties, in particular, may have a mix of different piping materials (e.g., clay, cast iron, PVC, copper). The different coefficients of expansion and contraction in these materials, combined with joints that have deteriorated over decades, are all put under significant strain.
The Dry Summer Connection: As the temperature rises and the soil dries out, the differential movement between materials is maximised. This causes joints to weep or crack, especially those close to the surface, such as the plumbing leading to exterior taps (hosepipes) or pipes running through uninsulated crawl spaces.
Our Honest Answer: Proactive maintenance is your best defence. Take a moment to check all your exterior taps and exposed pipework. If you see any green staining, rust, or hear a faint hissing sound, you have a leak. Repairing or replacing a faulty exterior tap is a low-cost, quick job that prevents future water damage and keeps your property running efficiently.
Prepare your Hawke’s Bay home for a dry Summer
Don’t let a dry summer turn into a disastrous one. At East Coast Plumbing & Gas, we are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools to find the hidden threats beneath your property before they become emergencies. If you are concerned about any of the above problems, call us today for a full, honest, and transparent assessment.
