Can Too Much Rain Cause Plumbing Problems?
Rain is a pleasant thing, especially after a long period of drought. However, heavy rain can turn into a disaster, damaging your plumbing system. Your pipes and drainage system could be in perfect condition, but a heavy downpour can cause leakage issues or other plumbing issues. Too much rain shifts underground pipes and increases pressure on pipes, causing backups. Therefore, beware of the following potential plumbing problems you might face after too much rain in Nacogdoches, TX.
Broken Pipes
A heavy downpour can rupture pipes because of the ground shifting and the pressure that too much rain puts on underground pipes. When the ground is saturated with too much rainwater, it softens, and the shifting rocks and soil break or strain your underground pipes. When the pipes crack or crush, debris and dirt enter your pipes and clog them, causing more damage. If you notice discolored, debris, or grit water coming from your pipes after heavy rainfall, you probably have broken underground pipes. A qualified plumber can locate the broken pipes for repair or replacement.
Septic Tank Flooding
Too much rain might cause flooding issues in your home’s septic tank. A flooded septic tank can saturate the soil around the tank, increasing the tank pressure. Since the drain field supporting the septic tank is saturated and flooded and the wastewater has nowhere to go, the septic tank floods. Septic flooding often requires serious adjustments to the system. You can avoid septic tank flooding after a heavy downpour by hiring a qualified plumber for preventative measures. Also, if your septic tank gets flooded after too much rain, ensure that you hire a licensed plumbing professional for inspection and repairs and advice concerning implicate water restrictions as you wait for the drain field to dry again.
Blocked or Clogged Pipes
The drainage system in your home can clog after too much rain. Excessive dirt and wreckages after heavy rains can pile up inside your pipes and block the drains. Blocked or clogged pipes are common after heavy rainfall in homes because the domestic plumbing systems are not designed to manage large water amounts and the debris that come with the rain. Ensure that you hire professional drain cleaning services before the rain to avoid blocked or clogged drains after a heavy downpour.
Sewer Backup
Heavy rains can cause a sewer backup, which can sometimes originate from a backed-up city sewer. Sewage backing up into your home after too much rain can be due to clogged drains. When the sewer line carries wastewater from your home blocks due to debris accumulation, dirty water might buildup over the clogged drains. If that happens, there isn’t much you can do but wait for the heavy downpour to end so that the city sewers can go back to normal. After that, you can then survey the damage and clear the mess using a dehumidifier or a wet vacuum. However, if the damage is extensive, you might need plumbing repair services. Also, don’t enter the area if you have a sewer backup because there is probably a live electrical current flowing.
Strom Drains
Too much rain can also cause storm drains because moving rainwater takes everything in its path. Therefore, leaves and trash clog storm drains after a heavy downpour. Storm drains can flood your home. You can prevent this plumbing problem by ensuring that storm drains are clutter-free before the rains. Clear downspouts and gutters and ensure that they are in perfect working condition before the rainy season.
Crawl Space or Basement Flooding
A flooded basement or crawl space can cause serious plumbing problems in your home. Wastewater from a sewer backup or water from leaking or broken pipes due to too much rain can cause standing water in your basement or crawl space. You should address this issue; otherwise, you risk permanent damage to your home’s foundation. Excess moisture and standing water from a heavy downpour in a crawl space or basement create a breeding space for mold and crawl space pests, such as rats, mice, and termites. It’s recommendable to remove the water immediately with a sump pump or wet vacuum and dry up the space to get rid of moisture. It would also pay to call a professional to help with the remediation process or use a dehumidifier for a damp-free basement.
Contact the Experts
Too much rain doesn’t have to be disastrous to your plumbing if you act swiftly and solve these plumbing problems. Our bonded and qualified plumbers can assist with the precautions, such as replacing older pipes that might break due to too much rain. You can also turn to our trained and experienced professionals for furnace replacement, air duct cleaning, and emergency repairs. Call Nacogdoches Sheet Metal, Plumbing & Air Conditioning, LTD. today for solutions if too much rain affects your plumbing systems.