North Carolina has just experienced a hot, dry September that could have lasting effects beneath the feet of Sanford homeowners. According to climate researchers at NC State University, the preliminary statewide average rainfall for September was 2.63 inches—about half of the normal total—making it the state's 5th-warmest September since 1895. Raleigh, the nearest major reporting city to Sanford, recorded only 2.17 inches, or 42% of normal.
While the dry weather may have been pleasant for outdoor activities, it has serious implications below ground. The NC State Extension Gardener Handbook notes that clayey soils can have shrink-and-swell characteristics that affect construction uses. When clay soil dries out, it pulls away from water service lines, sewer laterals, and pipes under a slab, causing the ground that supports those pipes to shift. This movement can lead to joint separation, small cracks, and hidden leaks.
Comfort First Heating and Cooling, a Sanford-based plumbing, heating, and cooling contractor, says the weeks following a long dry stretch are the cheapest time to find hidden leaks. The company's plumbing services at its Sanford location include pipe repair and replacement, drain cleaning, slab leak repair, water heater repair and installation, tankless systems, sump pumps, gas lines, and fixture repair.
"Most people think about pipes when it freezes, but a long dry month moves the ground too. Clay soil shrinks, the pipes settle with it, and a joint that held for years starts to leak where nobody can see it," said Adam Hagen, General Manager of Comfort First Heating and Cooling. "Checking the meter with the water off takes five minutes and tells you whether there is a problem worth looking at before the cold weather arrives."
Homeowners can take several steps to detect hidden leaks. Turn off every faucet and appliance, then check the water meter; if it still moves, water is going somewhere. Compare this month's water bill with the same month last year. Listen for gurgling drains or a toilet that refills on its own. Walk the floors barefoot and note any warm or damp spots on a slab. Watch the yard for a patch of green grass or soft ground above the sewer line during a dry week. Finally, find the main shutoff valve and make sure it turns freely before winter.
These simple checks can prevent costly emergency repairs. Ignoring the signs could lead to water damage, mold growth, or a burst pipe once temperatures drop. Comfort First Heating and Cooling serves Sanford and the surrounding Triangle area, including Cary, Apex, Garner, Pittsboro, and Carthage. Local plumbing service details are available on the Sanford service page, and the team can be reached at (919) 295-3421. More information about the company is at www.yourcomfortfirst.com.
