Abilene Rental Plumbing Checklist

With three universities and Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene has plenty of tenants moving in and out. Most rentals here sit on concrete slabs, where a slow leak can hide for weeks, and a hard freeze can split pipes in an attic overnight. Share this list so tenants know what to watch for and when to speak up.

Report within a few days

• A dripping faucet or a toilet that keeps running
• Slow drains in more than one sink or tub
• Water heater taking longer to recover or making popping noises
• A higher water bill with no change in use
• Rusty or cloudy hot water

Report right away

• Water on the floor from an unknown source
• A warm spot on a tile or concrete floor
• Sewage backing up into a tub or shower
• A gas smell (leave the house first and call the gas company from outside)
• No water after a freeze

Before a hard freeze

1. Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets
2. Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls
3. Let faucets drip on the coldest nights
4. Know where the main shut-off is; see finding your water shut-off

Slab homes

If the meter keeps moving when every faucet is off, water is going somewhere. Tell the manager. More: slab leaks and Big Country clay.

Long hot summers and mineral-heavy water common across West Texas wear out water heaters and fixtures faster, so small drips and sediment noises are worth reporting early.

For property managers

Flush water heaters yearly in hard water, check under sinks between tenants and protect irrigation backflow preventers before winter. For repairs, see emergency plumbing, slab leak detection, water heaters and frozen and burst pipes.