Rainy Weather Plumbing Issues

While getting plenty of rain may be a good thing for lawns and gardens, it can often spell trouble for your home's plumbing system. Even if the pipes within your home are in excellent condition, they can still face problems coming from outside your home.

Rainy weather can cause major plumbing issues, such as broken pipes, pipe blockages and sewage backups. No matter what time of year, rainfall could always be an issue in Central Virginia. Preventative service and routine maintenance are always the safest and most cost-effective ways to avoid a serious plumbing problem.

Common Rainy Weather Plumbing Issues

Broken Pipes

Heavy rainfall can cause the ground to become saturated with water. When this happens, the surrounding soil can expand and shift, possibly rupturing or breaking buried pipes. If this happens, you may notice discolored water and debris coming into your home through your faucets, toilets and showers. Another sign of broken pipes is bad-tasting water, even if it remains clear.

Pipes Blockage

Heavy rain can also introduce debris like leaves, trash, and dirt to your plumbing system. These things can make their way into the vent stack pipes on your roof or clog drains in the sewer system. One telltale sign that this has happened is when your drains seem sluggish, and the water won't drain as quickly as it normally should. You may also notice the foul smell of sewage.

Sewage Backup

All sewer lines carry wastewater from your home to the nearest municipal sewer line. When the line becomes blocked and can no longer flow freely, it causes a sewage backup. If you notice a sewage-like odor, slow-moving drains, strange gurgling noises coming from your sinks or toilets, wet floor drains in the basement or water backups in your tub or shower, odds are there's a sewage backup, and you'll need to get in touch with your local plumber right away.

Septic Flooding

Flooding is a natural result of heavy rains. If you are on a septic system, heavy rain may saturate your drain field, preventing your septic tank from properly releasing water. This may require some adjustments to your septic tank system or limiting your water use until your drain field has a chance to dry again. Heavy rains can also saturate the soil around your septic tank, increasing the pressure around the tank itself.

Flooded Basements and Crawl Spaces

If your home sits on uneven ground that doesn't drain properly, heavy rains could cause your basement or crawl space to become flooded. Serious issues like water damage, rotting wood and mold growth can occur, creating weeks or even months of cleanup and repairs. Not only that but untreated mold and mildew can quickly spread and impact the health of you and your family.

Preventative Measures

Sewage and pipe issues can introduce a slew of problems. From health risks due to harmful bacteria in sewage to property damage that can cost you hundreds, if not thousands - it's critical to put preventative measures in place. If you notice heavy rain starting to cause problems in your home, consider the following preventive steps:

• Install a sump pump. Having a sump pump can help remove excess water during heavy rain, helping to prevent a burst or blockage from occurring.
• Clean your gutters. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear of leaves, dirt and debris reduces the chances of water finding its way to your basement and crawl space.
• Keep an eye on tree roots. If you have any large trees or roots growing in your yard, keep a watchful eye on them, as they can become loose during heavy rainfall. Periodically trimming these roots can help prevent future problems.
• Clean your drains often. Just like maintaining other areas of your home, your drainpipes need to be cleaned to ensure they remain clear of blockages.
• Have your plumbing system inspected by a professional. When was the last time you had your pipes looked at? Plumbers can help to detect minor issues before they become much larger, more expensive problems in the future. They can also help determine other preventative measures to keep your home safe from rainy day woes.

It is important to make sure that your plumbing system can handle the problems that come with heavy rain. If you feel that your home's plumbing system needs maintenance or repair, don't hesitate to call Bradley Mechanical today. When there is water involved, damage can happen fast. Bradley Mechanical's plumbing experts will make your repair a priority and work quickly to solve your plumbing issues. Our certified team has decades of plumbing experience, which means we won't waste your time or money.