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Texas

Home repair in Houston, TX

Home repair help in Houston: slab foundations on shifting clay, AC that quits in August, and flood-season leaks priced in minutes by Runhome.

Short answer

Describe the problem or send photos and Runhome gives you a Houston repair estimate in minutes, then calls local contractors, collects quotes and books the visit. In Houston, most houses sit on concrete slabs over clay that swells and shrinks, so cracked tile, sticking doors and slab leaks come up often.

Houston homes at a glance

Median year built
1982
Built before 1960
17%
Built since 2000
30%
Owner-occupied
42%
Median home value
$277,800
Main heat
Electric, 64%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates

What Houston’s housing means for repairs

Houston's housing is middle-aged and mixed. The median home dates to 1982, about 17% of units predate 1960, and roughly 30% went up after 2000, much of it townhomes squeezed onto old lots inside the Loop. Only about 43% of units are detached single-family houses, and just 42% are owner-occupied, so a lot of repair calls come from condo owners and landlords.

About 64% of homes heat with electricity, which usually means a heat pump or electric furnace paired with the central AC. Older bungalows in the Heights still carry pier-and-beam floors that sag as the beams soften, while 1970s and 1980s slab houses can hide cast iron drain lines under the concrete that crack and back up.

Weather that wears on Houston homes

Houston sits on the Gulf Coast plain, and its weather wears houses down from several directions. Summer heat and humidity run the AC almost nonstop from May into October, so condensate lines clog and capacitors fail. The Gulf clay under most neighborhoods swells in wet spells and shrinks in droughts, which moves slabs and cracks drywall at door corners. Hurricane season brings wind-driven rain and bayou flooding, as Harvey showed in 2017, and the 2021 winter storm burst pipes that were never meant to see a hard freeze. Formosan termites and mold thrive in the damp air.

Common repairs in Houston

  • AC not cooling

    A system that runs all day and still blows warm air usually needs a capacitor, refrigerant leak repair or a cleaned condenser coil coated in spring pollen.

  • Slab and foundation movement

    Cracks above doorways and doors that stop latching often trace back to clay movement under the slab, and a foundation check comes before any cosmetic patch.

  • Drain line backups

    Cast iron drains under 1970s and 1980s slabs corrode and belly, so repeat clogs in a Houston ranch house are worth a camera inspection.

  • Ceiling stains after storms

    Wind-driven rain finds gaps at roof flashing and vents, and the stain often shows up days after a tropical system passes.

  • Water heater replacement

    Garage and attic tanks work hard in Houston's sediment-heavy water, and a rusty drip at the base usually means the tank is done.

What these repairs cost

The middle half of Runhome repair estimates nationwide for each kind of job. Your price depends on the scope of the work.

RepairTypical range
Heating or cooling repair$310 to $580
Structural or foundation repair$600 to $1,150
Drain or waste line repair$310 to $670
Roof flashing repair$300 to $380
Water heater repair$310 to $450

Fix guides for Houston homeowners

Seasonal checklist

Spring
Change the AC filter, rinse the outdoor condenser coil and pour a cup of vinegar down the condensate line before the first 90-degree week.
Hurricane season
Clear gutters and downspout extensions so water drains away from the slab, and photograph your roof and ceilings for insurance before June.
Summer drought
Run a soaker hose a few feet from the foundation during long dry spells so the clay does not pull away from the slab.
Winter
Wrap exposed pipes on exterior walls and in the attic before a hard freeze, and know where your main shutoff is.

Common questions

Do cracks in my Houston drywall mean I have foundation problems?

Not always, but in Houston they often do. Diagonal cracks above doors and windows, gaps between trim and walls, and doors that drift out of square point to slab movement from the clay. Ask for a foundation evaluation before you pay for drywall repair, or the cracks will come back.

What makes AC repair cost more or less in Houston?

The part that failed matters most: a capacitor or contactor is a small repair, while a refrigerant leak or compressor failure is a major one. Older systems that use R-22 refrigerant cost more to recharge, and attic air handlers take longer to reach. Peak-summer demand also affects how soon a contractor can come.

Should I worry about cast iron drains in an older Houston house?

If your house was built before the mid-1980s and has repeat clogs or a sewer smell, yes. Cast iron under the slab corrodes from the inside and can crack as the clay shifts. A camera inspection shows whether you need a spot repair or a reroute.

Does Runhome work in Kingwood and Clear Lake?

Yes. Runhome works anywhere in Houston, including annexed areas like Kingwood and Clear Lake. You describe the job, get an estimate, and Runhome calls contractors who serve your part of town.

Neighborhoods served

  • Montrose
  • Houston Heights
  • Midtown
  • River Oaks
  • Third Ward
  • Meyerland
  • Kingwood
  • Clear Lake

Other Texas cities

Something broken at your Houston home?

Describe it or send a photo. Runhome prices the repair, calls local contractors for you, and schedules the visit.

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