Yes, drought can cause a slab leak, but indirectly. North Texas clay shrinks as it dries and swells when rain returns, and the slab moves with it. That movement strains the supply and drain lines under the foundation, especially at joints and where pipes pass through the concrete.
The soil explains it. The Blackland Prairie, which runs from north of Dallas south to San Antonio, is known for expansive clays such as Houston Black. A USDA soil profile of Houston Black says these clays shrink and swell markedly with changes in moisture, crack open when dry, and commonly limit building sites in metro areas. A slab poured on that ground rises and settles with it.
The risk comes from the swing, not the dry spell alone. In 2026, Dallas went 67 days without rain, from July 16 to September 20, and heavy rain followed at the start of October. Dry, cracked clay takes in water fast and swells unevenly, so a pipe held by concrete on one side and moving soil on the other takes the strain. A drain line that leaks only seeps when water runs, so it can stay hidden well after the rain. The same movement pulls apart outside sewer joints, as in clay soil sewer line damage.
One honest limit: drought is one cause among several. Corrosion, abrasion against concrete, high water pressure and poor installation also cause slab leaks, and soil movement often finishes off a pipe that was already weak, as this answer on what causes a slab leak explains. Not every new crack means a leak, either. Drought movement alone can crack brick and stick doors with no pipe involved. The warning signs are in this guide to checking for a slab leak yourself, and only a leak test confirms one.