Rainy Weather Might Lead to Broken Pipes
Heavy spring rains can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Not only can all the water in the ground cause cracks in your water pipes, but too much rain can also cause your drainage system to back up. This is particularly common in places where the soil isn’t used to heavy rainfall— like the desert.
The soil in the desert isn’t very effective at absorbing large amounts of water, which has to go somewhere. The last place you want it going is into your plumbing system to cause expensive damage. Luckily, this article will tell you what to look out for and how you can prevent the spring rains from damaging your plumbing.
Pressure on Your Pipes
Many people don’t think that heavy rains can lead to damaged underground pipes, but it’s true. When the soil around your home absorbs lots of rain, like during spring showers, it can become heavy. If your pipes are old, worn, or poorly installed, the heavy soil can cause them to crack or break. If a break occurs, you could have a leak around your foundation that can cause serious structural damage to your home.
If a crack occurs, it’s not uncommon for dirt and debris to make its way into the pipe, causing backups and blockages that are expensive to fix. Likewise, on certain sewer systems, too much rain can back up into your drainage, causing your showers and sinks to not drain properly. Sometimes, if the backup is bad enough, you can even have wastewater backing up into your tubs and sinks.
How to Avoid Broken Pipes
The best thing you can do to avoid a burst or broken pipe is to have your plumbing system assessed. Because it’s not easy to determine if your underground pipes are in danger of breaking, having a professional plumber take a look is often the only way to be sure. If you notice any changes in your water pressure, it’s best to shut off the water to your house until you or a plumber can figure out what the issue is.
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for:
- An abnormally high water bill.
- Sounds of flowing water when it is not in use.
- Standing water around your home's foundation.
- Cracks in your foundation.
These are all indications that you may have a plumbing problem. The sooner you schedule repairs, the less damage there is in and around your home.
How Pros Fix Burst Pipes
If you suspect that there is a burst pipe somewhere in your plumbing system, you should shut off the water to your home and call a plumber right away. Professional plumbers use special listening devices, cameras, and other specialized equipment to locate a burst or broken pipe. In most cases, the plumber is usually able to replace the length of pipe that has broken.
But, on some older plumbing systems, repiping may be the best solution. While repiping a house is a large job, it is generally cheaper and safer than taking a chance with old pipes that could burst and cause serious damage to your home.
Generally, the best way to deal with a broken pipe is to avoid them altogether. This can be as simple as remembering to schedule annual plumbing inspections. Similarly, if temperatures in your area have a tendency to drop below freezing, having your plumbing insulated is also a good way to protect your system. Of course, you can always contact your local plumbing contractor for more helpful ideas.
About Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc
Founder Chris Wilson grew up in a family of plumbers and has turned his learning into a lifelong quest to provide people with quality, affordable plumbing services in Monterey, CA. This has been a steady run for almost 20 years. With Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc, you can always expect quality workmanship, excellent customer service, and well-trained technicians.
