As we enter spring, it’s impossible to not notice the many benefits that come from increased rainfall. And yet, you also can’t help but notice the stunning destruction that excessive water can bring. Homeowners can’t avoid this force.
Whether it’s from a gutter that gets clogged and then breaks under the weight of water or a leak that damages your roof and interior. Unfortunately, your pipes are not immune from this damage, and heavy rainfall can lead to serious plumbing problems, especially for older homes with old pipes.
How Can Excess Water Leak to Broken Pipes?
Heavy rainfall leads to increased pressure on pipes from water runoff and flooding.
Only compounding this problem is the fact that when the mud around pipes absorbs water, it becomes heavier and puts increased pressure on them.
This increased pressure can lead to a crushed or broken pipe. Further, the shift in soil and rocks due to rain can force pipes to bend in ways that they weren’t meant to (and don’t want to). The result is, again, a cracked or broken pipe.
The risk of a cracked or broken pipe is especially high when there is rain after a long dry spell, as the ground absorbs the water and shifts more quickly, leading to more broken pipes, especially those that are brittle, old or made of galvanized steel.
Preventing Drain and Sewer System Problems
Storms lead to increased debris in drains. This is especially true if the pipe cracks or breaks, which allows additional debris to seep into your system.
The combination of debris – including twigs, leaves, dirt, and even trash – and too much water can lead to backups in your pipes and sewer system.
Unfortunately, the result is often not only standing water in a basement or crawl space but rather sewage and hazardous waste inside your house. Obviously, this is something you want to prevent whenever possible and, should it occur, resolve as quickly as possible.
You can help to prevent this by keeping drains clear, ensuring that trap plugs are functioning and, potentially, installing a backwater check valve. Your plumber can help with this maintenance and determine what’s best for your system.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection
You can’t avoid rain or shelter your pipes or house from heavy rains and storms, but you can do preventative care to prepare for bad weather.
Before the rains come, make sure that all of your plumbing is working properly and is up to date. Handling all issues and repairs before bad weather gives you the best chance of avoiding major problems due to heavy rain.
Call Cajun Maintenance today at (225) 372-2444 to schedule a plumbing inspection so that this season you can focus on the many benefits of all that rain and forget how destructive the excess water can be.
If you’ve had experiences with heavy rainfall, like a burst pipe, or plumbing issues due to bad weather, please share them in the comments below so can all learn from your experiences.
