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May marks the beginning of warmer days in San Antonio—and with that comes an increased demand on your home’s plumbing system. From backyard barbecues to kids home from school, your pipes and fixtures are likely to be working overtime. Unfortunately, this uptick in usage can also lead to a spike in plumbing issues if you’re not properly prepared.
At 1st Call Plumbing & AC, we’ve spent over 35 years helping San Antonio homeowners avoid the stress and cost of emergency plumbing repair. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essential plumbing checks you should complete in May to keep things running smoothly all summer long.
Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or just settling into your new house, this checklist will help you prevent common summer disasters before they start—and avoid the need for emergency plumbing in San Antonio.
Table of Contents
- Why May Is the Ideal Month for Plumbing Maintenance
- Outdoor Plumbing: The First Line of Defense
- Inspecting Your Water Heater Before Summer
- Don’t Ignore the Drain: Kitchen & Bathroom Checks
- The Hidden Risk of Sewer Line Trouble
- Be Wary of Water Pressure Issues
- Hosting friends or family this summer?
- When to Call in the Experts
- Final Thoughts & Free Estimate Offer
Why May Is the Ideal Month for Plumbing Maintenance
May is the calm before the storm in Texas. Temperatures are warming, but the intense summer heat hasn’t fully arrived, making it the perfect window for a full plumbing repair inspection.
By tackling small issues now, you can avoid major breakdowns during the busiest (and hottest) time of the year. A quick visit from a San Antonio emergency plumbing expert in May could be the difference between a smooth summer and a mid-July crisis.
Outdoor Plumbing: The First Line of Defense
Your outdoor plumbing might not be top of mind, but it’s the first area to take a beating in the Texas heat. Left unchecked, garden hose bibs, irrigation systems, and exterior pipes can develop cracks, leaks, or full-on blowouts when summer hits.
- Check outdoor faucets and hose bibs for leaks or drips: Turn each one on and off. Do you hear a whistling sound? Notice drips that don’t stop? That could mean a cracked washer or pressure issue brewing behind the wall.
- Make sure sprinkler systems are functioning properly. A minor leak underground can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day without you noticing—until your water bill spikes.
- Run a full zone test and check for:
- Uneven spray patterns
- Bubbling or pooling water
- Broken heads or clogged nozzles
If you have a drip irrigation system or hose timers, check those too. Texas sun exposure can cause plastic components to degrade faster than expected.
And don’t forget the shut-off valve—do you know where yours is? In case of an emergency, you want to be able to turn off water fast. If you’re not sure how, call us at 210-446-0200—we’re happy to show you during a maintenance check.
Inspecting Your Water Heater Before Summer
Your water heater works hard year-round, and summer is no exception. If your water heater is more than 8–10 years old, it might be time to consider a replacement—or at least a professional inspection.
We recommend performing a basic flush to remove sediment that can accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Sediment buildup forces your heater to work harder, reducing efficiency and lifespan.
Not sure how to flush your water heater? No worries—we can handle it for you during a routine maintenance visit.
Signs your water heater might need repair or replacement:
- Rumbling or popping noises
- Rust-colored or cloudy water
- Inconsistent water temperature
- Water pooling near the base of the tank
We’ve had clients in New Braunfels and Boerne call us in a panic mid-July after their water heater completely gave out—usually right before guests arrived for the weekend.
Thinking of upgrading? We offer expert advice on high-efficiency models and tankless systems, and we’ll walk you through the pros and cons based on your home size, budget, and hot water needs. Best of all, 1st Call Plumbing & AC offers free estimates and special financing options with approved credit, making it easier to plan ahead.
Don’t Ignore the Drain: Kitchen & Bathroom Checks
A clogged drain is one of the most common reasons homeowners call for emergency plumbing repair, especially in the summer months when households are more active.
Take 30 minutes to do a simple kitchen and bathroom drain inspection. Here’s what to look (and smell) for:
- Slow drainage in sinks or tubs
- Standing water in showers
- Gurgling noises when water drains
- Odors that linger after water use
Kitchen drains are notorious for grease buildup. Even if you’re careful about what you pour down the sink, small amounts of oil and food debris collect over time. Combine that with the higher temps of a San Antonio summer, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for smelly, sluggish pipes.
Bathroom drains face a different kind of threat: hair and soap scum. If you’ve noticed water pooling at your feet during showers, it’s time for a clean out.
The Hidden Risk of Sewer Line Trouble
Sewer line problems are the silent killers of home plumbing systems. You may not see or hear anything—but if something’s wrong, you’ll definitely smell it eventually.
San Antonio has its share of older neighborhoods with aging clay or cast-iron sewer lines. Over time, those materials crack, shift, or get invaded by—you guessed it—tree roots. This is especially common after spring rain and early summer heat stimulates rapid root growth underground.
Signs your sewer line might be in trouble:
- Multiple drains backing up at once
- Bubbling toilets when using the sink
- Rotten egg or musty odors in the yard or basement
- Soggy patches in your lawn (aka “phantom puddles”)
If you notice these signs, it’s time for a sewer camera inspection—a non-invasive way to look inside your pipes and pinpoint the problem. At 1st Call Plumbing & AC, we use advanced camera equipment to inspect your lines and provide detailed video footage so you can see what we see.
One San Antonio customer recently avoided a full pipe replacement thanks to an early inspection that revealed a localized blockage. We were able to clear the line and seal a minor crack before it became a major excavation job.
Don’t wait for raw sewage to be the clue that something’s wrong. Regular inspections can save thousands in repairs and restore peace of mind.
Be Wary of Water Pressure Issues
Low water pressure might seem like a minor annoyance, but it could signal a hidden leak or pipe blockage. Conversely, high pressure can stress your pipes and lead to bursts.
Check your home’s pressure with a gauge:
- Ideal range: 40–60 psi
- Too low: below 30 psi
- Too high: above 80 psi
How to check: You can buy a simple pressure gauge at any hardware store and screw it onto your outside spigot. If the reading is high, you may need a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) adjustment—or installation if your home doesn’t have one.
Why it matters:
- High pressure shortens the life of water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers.
- It increases the risk of burst pipes—especially in older homes.
- It can cause small leaks in walls or ceilings that go unnoticed until major damage occurs.
At 1st Call Plumbing & AC, we’ve helped countless homeowners catch this issue early. Our techs can inspect your PRV, make adjustments, and ensure your plumbing system is protected before the heavy summer water usage begins.
Hosting friends or family this summer?
Hosting friends or family this summer? Don’t wait until the night before their arrival to make sure your plumbing is up to par. A few quick checks in May can save you from embarrassment—or worse, an unexpected plumbing breakdown when the house is full.
✅ Guest bathrooms: Run the faucets and flush the toilet. Is there any clogging, gurgling, or slow draining? Now’s the time to fix it—not when your guests are asking for a plunger.
✅ Shower pressure and hot water: Make sure all bathrooms (including guest suites) have steady water pressure and consistent hot water. A faulty mixing valve or partially clogged shower head can ruin the experience for your guests.
✅ Dishwasher and laundry appliances: These workhorses will be in heavy rotation with extra people in the house. Run a full cycle on both machines and check for drainage issues, leaks, or unusual noises.
✅ Water heater: With more people showering, your water heater will be under more stress. If it’s been over a year since your last inspection, schedule a tune-up now to avoid surprise failures.
When to Call in the Experts
Some plumbing tasks are perfect for a proactive homeowner. But when you’ve checked all the boxes and something still doesn’t feel right, it’s time to bring in the licensed professionals. At 1st Call Plumbing & AC, we’ve been helping San Antonio families avoid summer plumbing disasters for over 35 years—and we know exactly what to look for when small issues hint at bigger problems.
✅ Certified plumbing experts with decades of hands-on experience.
✅ Zero Trip Charge and fully stocked trucks—we are always prepared on the job.
✅ FREE Onsite Estimates—we don’t guess. We assess the problem at your home.
✅ Upfront pricing—no surprises, no upselling.
✅ Thorough inspections and diagnostics to pinpoint issues accurately.
✅ Same-day and emergency service available for urgent needs.
✅ Satisfaction guarantee—we stand behind our work!
Final Thoughts & Free Estimate Offer
May is the ideal time to get ahead of summer plumbing issues. With a little proactive maintenance and help from the pros at 1st Call Plumbing & AC, you can avoid costly emergencies, enjoy peace of mind, and keep your summer stress-free.
Don’t wait for a small issue to turn into a major emergency.
📞 Request a free service estimate today or call us directly at 210-446-0200.
We’re proud to be the trusted name for emergency plumbing in San Antonio, and we’re here to help you stay cool, comfortable, and leak-free all summer long.
And don’t forget, 1st Call Plumbing & AC is also your partner in HVAC tune-ups, so you can take care of your plumbing and air conditioning systems in one efficient visit. Whether it’s a simple plumbing repair or a full A/C inspection, we’re here to help San Antonio homeowners prepare for summer without stress.
