Common Springtime Plumbing Issues and Solutions
April’s showers are known to bring May flowers, but that’s not all. Extra rainfall can bring homeowners multiple problems and headaches by way of spring plumbing issues.
As the weather warms up and we move into the rainy season, now is the time to examine the state of your plumbing. Heavy rainstorms can put additional stress on pipes and drainage systems. Any underlying issues like cracked pipes or blocked drains could develop into more serious plumbing problems with excessive rainwater. We always recommend taking preventative steps to ensure your plumbing system can handle a larger volume of water.
Springtime Plumbing Issues
Shifting of Underground Pipes
Heavy rainfall can saturate the ground, causing soil and rocks to shift. This movement can also shift your pipes or even break buried pipes. Your plumbing pipes are placed in specific spots under your home, so when they move around, it makes it a lot easier for plumbing issues to occur.
Broken or Damaged Pipes
As mentioned above, when pipes are moving around underground and potentially breaking, it makes room for dirt and debris to enter the system. When this happens, even more damage can occur inside your home. Dirt and debris can clog up appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines.
Clogged or Blocked Drains
Rainwater brings debris that can build up and block pipes and drains. Combine this with large volumes of water, and you have a recipe for flooding that can cause damage to your home and property.
Basement Flooding
Flooding is another springtime plumbing issue. Clogged drains, broken or leaking pipes and sewer backups can result in water flowing into your basement or crawl space. This can lead to health hazards, as mold and mildew grow in moist and dark environments. Additionally, floodwater often contains harmful contaminants or raw sewage. These floods can cause permanent damage to your home’s foundation. Any water should be removed as soon as possible, and the basement should be thoroughly dried out. Installing a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture can greatly reduce the chances of mold or mildew developing.
Septic Tank Flooding
Excessive rainfall can cause the drain field for your septic system to become saturated and flooded. If this happens, the wastewater from your septic tank has nowhere to go but back through the pipes. This can cause your septic tank to flood, saturating the soil around it and increasing the pressure on the tank itself. Sewage can also flow back into the lowest drains in your home. This may be a downstairs bathroom or a drain in the basement. If you notice this happening, have your septic tank pumped out as soon as possible.
Preventing Plumbing Problems
Some spring plumbing issues can be avoided altogether by staying on top of routine maintenance and keeping an eye out for hints of a small plumbing problem. These can look like:
- Small leaks. If you notice a leak, even a dripping faucet, it’s not something worth ignoring. Those small leaks, cracks and blockages can quickly turn into expensive damage after a heavy rain.
- High water bills. If you find your water bill higher than expected, and you aren’t aware of using more water than usual, it can be a sign of a leaking pipe. You can investigate your basement and pipes, but a plumbing professional can also do a thorough investigation to find and put a stop to this leak.
- Mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew thrive in moist and dark areas, like basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. If your plumbing is older or has other issues, it can show up in the form of mold and mildew.
- Puddles in the yard. Have you noticed a suspicious puddle that won’t go away in your yard? It could be due to a problematic pipe or clog that will only get worse over time.
- Growing trees. Large trees have large roots. These root systems often interfere with underground plumbing pipes. And if the roots push the pipes too much, they can burst and cause flooding.
Even if you keep an eye out for all these potential issues, emergencies can still happen. After all, it can be hard to know how every pipe is doing, as most of them are hidden behind walls and underground. When flooding occurs, try to stop or get a handle on the flowing water with towels or buckets. No matter how big or small, water damage can spread and cause further issues quickly. Give your local plumbing professionals at Bradley Mechanical a call right away.
At Bradley Mechanical, our trained professionals can take care of any emergency plumbing job you may have. We can also thoroughly inspect your home’s plumbing system and identify any problems before they become emergencies. Don’t wait for the rainy season to be upon us to schedule your plumbing maintenance. Our experts can make sure your plumbing system is ready to handle whatever this season brings.
Prepare your pipes for spring with Bradley Mechanical.