Dallas is one of the oldest towns in Gaston County. Its courthouse square and surrounding streets hold some of the county's earliest buildings, while newer neighborhoods have grown along the roads toward Gastonia, Stanley and High Shoals.
Plumbing in the historic core looks a lot like Gastonia's oldest neighborhoods: mixed materials, old laterals and valves that haven't been exercised in years. The newer homes on the edges have their own, simpler set of problems.
Dallas at a glance
- Location
- Just north of Gastonia, along US 321[1]
- History
- Gaston County seat from 1846 until 1911[1]
- Landmark
- Historic courthouse square (Dallas Historic District)[1]
- Also home to
- Gaston College's main campus[1]
Historic homes around the square
- Supply lines updated in stages, often leaving galvanized sections in walls
- Cast-iron drain stacks and clay sewer laterals
- Crawl spaces with old pipe exposed to cold
- Outdated water heater venting in older utility spaces
Wells and septic outside town
Some properties outside Dallas's town water and sewer service rely on private wells and septic systems. A septic system has different warning signs (slow drains everywhere, wet spots or odor over the drain field) and needs a septic contractor for pumping. Tell the plumber up front which system you have.
Newer subdivisions
Homes built in the last twenty years mostly have PEX and PVC. The common calls there are water heaters, toilet fill valves, faucet cartridges and kitchen clogs, and choosing between tank and tankless when the original heater fails.
City water and sewer vs. well and septic
| System | Signs | Who services it |
|---|---|---|
| City water | Water bill, meter near the street | Plumber for house side; utility for meter and main |
| Private well | Pressure tank and pump, no water bill | Plumber or well contractor |
| City sewer | Sewer charge on the bill, cleanout to the street | Plumber for lateral; utility for main |
| Septic | Tank and drain field in the yard | Septic contractor; plumber for house lines |
Septic warning signs
Regular pumping, typically every few years depending on household size and tank size, keeps a septic system working. Ask a septic contractor for a schedule that fits your home.
- Slow drains throughout the house
- Gurgling in drains after heavy rain
- Wet, spongy or unusually green areas over the drain field
- Sewage odor outdoors near the tank
Plumbing services for Dallas homes
Nearby areas we cover
plumbing in Ranlo, plumbing in Mount Holly, plumbing in Highland, plumbing in Bessemer City. See the full Gastonia and Gaston County service area guide.
Helpful guides for Dallas homeowners
- Why Drains Keep Clogging: Drains keep clogging when the buildup was only punched through instead of removed, when something structural catches waste (roots, a sag or a broken pipe), or when the same materials keep going down the drain.
- Signs of a Sewer Line Problem: The main signs of a sewer line problem are several drains backing up at once, water rising in a tub or floor drain when a toilet is flushed, gurgling, sewage odor in the yard and a soggy or sunken strip of lawn along the sewer route.
- Water Heater Repair vs. Replacement: Repair a water heater when it's under about 8 years old and a single part has failed.
- Why Water Pressure Drops: Low pressure at one fixture is usually a clogged aerator, cartridge or supply valve.
- How to Find Your Main Water Shutoff: The main water shutoff is usually where the water line enters the house: in the crawl space near the front foundation wall, in a garage, utility closet or near the water heater.
Other areas we serve
Willow Creek plumbing · York-Chester plumbing · Loray Mill Village plumbing · Downtown Gastonia plumbing · Forest Heights plumbing · Plumber in Belmont · Plumber in Cramerton · Plumber in McAdenville · Plumber in Lowell
Dallas plumbing questions
Do Gastonia plumbers work in Dallas, NC?
Yes, Dallas is just north of Gastonia and well within the usual service area. Call to confirm availability.
My home outside Dallas is on a septic system. Can a plumber help?
A plumber handles pipes inside the house and the line to the tank. Pumping and drain field work is done by a septic contractor.
Are older homes near the Dallas square likely to have galvanized pipe?
Many do, at least in part. Homes built before about 1960 commonly used galvanized supply pipe, and partial updates leave sections behind.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Dallas, North Carolina
- Wikipedia: Dallas Historic District (Dallas, North Carolina)
- NC 811: call before you dig
Local facts on this page are drawn from the sources above and were last reviewed 2026-10-06. Plumbing guidance is general and based on typical materials for the homes' age.