Heavy rains are not conditions over which we have control and often times they damage our homes with accompanying hail storms causing roof damage and leaking, siding problems, and generalized flooding. There is one aspect of your home that you may not consider when it comes to heavy rains and that is your plumbing system. Yes, your plumbing system is at risk when there are prolonged periods of heavy rain.
In this blog, we will look at some of the ways excessive rain damages the plumbing system creating havoc in sewer and water lines and even affecting plumbing fixtures. We will look at the hazards associated with outdoor drainage systems including gutters and downspouts and discuss septic system woes. We will learn preventative measures homeowners can take to keep heavy rain damage at bay and take a look at some of the products available on the market to keep your home safe and dry and your plumbing system intact.
Water Lines
Water lines run from the public water supply in the street and into your homes. These lines are supported outdoors by a mix of soil and gravel and when heavy rains come that soil can shift eroding the support needed to keep the water line uninterrupted. Shifting soil can cause the pipes to come apart or crack allowing dirt, sand, and other unwanted particles into your water supply. This contamination is not healthy but it is also a means for debris to gather and clog water lines. The water that is trying to enter your home will be forced out of the pipe causing gallons upon gallons of wasted water and increased water bills. Not to mention the extensive damage to the pipes which must be repaired.
Sewer Lines
Sewer lines are not immune from shifting soil and can also fracture. In this case, the sewage and wastewater needing to exit your home will either be absorbed into the soil which is unlikely since the ground is already water-logged or will be forced to reverse direction and back up into your sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets. Not only is this sewage unhealthy, it can be the worst kind of mess to clean up. Additionally, sewer seepage can back up and work its way into your clean water supply polluting your water so drinking and cooking will have to be halted. Another drawback is that leaking sewer lines or those that backup can ruin the substructures of your home and leave the contents unusable.
Plumbing Fixtures
Gurgling toilets that won’t flush or tubs and sinks that won’t drain are common during heavy rains. Debris can build up inside the drain pipes preventing wastewater flow and with nowhere to go it sits and stagnates. Another reason fixtures may not function as normal is because of a collapsed pipe. Water is heavy and too much of it soaked into the ground can push down and collapse drain pipes.
Outdoor Drains And Gutters
Heavy rains down tree branches and leaves that gather to clog your gutters and downspouts forcing rainwater to overflow. Water then pools around the perimeter of your home or worse can be forced inside causing extensive damage and possible mold issues. This debris along with items running water tends to collect such as paper and grass clippings can cover the openings to your outdoor drains making them stop functioning. The truth is, even if these openings were clear, heavy rains probably have already flooded the public sewer system leaving nowhere for your water to go.
Septic Systems
Some rural areas do not have the luxury of being connected to the public sewer system and instead rely on private septic systems. These systems basically consist of a holding tank and an attached drain field. Waste and dirty water exit the home and collect in the tank. The solid waste sinks to the bottom and the liquid waste is sent out into the drain field where it is disbursed and absorbed into the surrounding soil. After percolating it eventually rejoins the underground water reserves.
If the soil is water soaked from heavy rains the drain fields can become overwhelmed and not allow the wastewater to exit. This overburdened soil virtually shuts down the septic system. This is a serious consequence of the problems heavy rain can create.
Preventative Measures
Here are some preventative measures you can take to eliminate the possibility of a plumbing problem on a rainy day…
Outdoors
The first preventative step is to maintain and clean your gutters. They still may not be able to carry all the rainwater away but they will do a more significant job compared to clogged gutters. Next, plan your landscaping choices and install trees such as red maples, black tupelo, and birch that can take in larger amounts of water. This is a simple but helpful step. A French drain or swale can help direct water away from your home and out into the street or area not disturbed by excessive rainfall. Lastly, be certain outside floor drains are kept clear. This may require several trips outside in the rain but it is well worth the effort.
Inside
Keeping water out of your home should be a major priority but as we have learned there are ways your plumbing can fail and water will invade your home. Installing backflow prevention systems will protect you from sewage and wastewater backs ups and prevent cross-contamination.
Regular cleaning of your sewer lines and inspections of all plumbing pipes identify small problems early and repair them so when bad weather arrives they will be in the best shape possible. On-going maintenance can also locate existing cracks and separating pipes and plumbing systems that may have reached a critical stage and need replacing.
Need Plumbing Help On A Rainy Day?
It may be surprising to learn how sewer and water lines can be so seriously affected by rain and how even plumbing fixtures can suffer. Backups and flooding are disastrous events that should be avoided at all costs and even septic and outdoor drains need to be evaluated to be certain they have the best chance of surviving the stress heavy rains can place on them. As with all aspects of plumbing, preventative maintenance is key to ensuring a home that is safe, water protected, and comfortable and all efforts homeowners can make to this end will rewarded. Heavy rains can take a toll on municipal water systems as well as personal residences and learning how to protect yourself and your plumbing is time well spent!
We offer emergency plumbing services in North County. Contact our professional plumbing team today and we will be out to your home or business right away. Rain or shine, we are here to solve your plumbing problems!
