How Heavy Rain Can Affect Your Plumbing

Some people love rain, while others hate it. But are you aware of how it can damage your home plumbing system? Find out here.

Rainfall can be beautiful and much-awaited; it helps flowers and crops bloom, trees get greener, and make the world more gorgeous. However, heavy rain can wreak havoc on your home plumbing system.

Not many homeowners know the high risks of heavy rains to their plumbing systems. This guide will tell you how your home plumbing system might suffer from constant heavy rain.

So, grab an umbrella, and let’s get straight into the rest of this guide!

How Can Heavy Rain Affect Your Plumbing?

There are several different ways heavy rainfall can affect your home plumbing. Due to heavy rains, there can be intense damage, from cracked pipes to backups, to choke the plumbing system and increase pressure on pipes.

Let us discuss the different ways in which heavy rainfall can affect the entire system of your home plumbing.

1. It Can Increase The Pressure On The Piping System Of Your Home

We often take our plumbing for granted as it quietly supports our daily routines - cooking, cleaning, and having a warm shower. But remember, water isn’t just vital; it’s incredibly powerful.

During heavy rainfall, the excess rainwater is often pushed down the pipes of your home plumbing system. This, in turn, puts intense pressure on them, causing them to clog or even burst. Without proper drainage, such as outdoor drainage, heavy rain makes it more susceptible for you to encounter these clogged drains and increased pressure.

Furthermore, most of the pipes in our homes are typically filled with dirt, dust, and other debris. When these come in contact with heavy rainwater, it creates additional pressure in mud and sludge.

This muck builds up pressure and can seriously damage your pipes. If you don’t get them sorted out quickly, the gunk might thicken, leading to dire consequences.

2. It Can Cause A Shifting Of Your Underground Pipes

Heavy rainfall can cause the soil surrounding your home’s underground pipes to soften. Over time, this softening of the earth can cause the pipes to shift their position, leading to dangerous consequences.

Along with the pipes shifting, the pressure of excess rainwater can eventually cause them to crack or break entirely. If this is not fixed as soon as possible and you don’t have a proper drainage system, it can lead to plumbing problems, massive damage, and costly repairs.

Figuring out if your underground pipes have shifted can be tricky. But don’t wait around—if you spot any cracks or muddy water coming from your pipes, give a plumber a shout straight away.

3. It Can Lead To Backing Up Of Your Pipes

As you may already imagine, heavy rainfall going down the pipes and plumbing system will inevitably trap rocks, leaves, dirt, and other debris in them. This will, in turn, lead to plumbing problems like significant blockage and backing up of the pipes in your home.

If issues persist, murky water might seep into your crawlspace or basement. Cleaning up this mess could become a big hassle and might just need a professional touch. On top of that, you might have to replace those damaged pipes, adding to the expenses.

Watching for tree roots near your home’s pipes would be best. Tree roots are notorious for cracking and breaking through pipes and damaging them. And, when rainwater gets trapped in your pipes, the tree roots will try and break into them to absorb any nutrients they can find.

This is another reason for the backing up of your pipes. So, keeping a close eye on the tree roots and trimming or cutting them whenever required is essential.

Signs That Your Plumbing System Is At Risk

Are you wondering what signs to look out for to know that your home plumbing system has problems and is at risk of damage? Here are some of the most common ones you should be wary of.

A) Discoloured Water Coming Out Of The Pipes

The water coming out of your home pipes should ideally be clear. However, it is a warning sign if you notice discoloured water coming from them. This can even be a problem in your sewer line. Call a professional plumber immediately, and keep a lookout for the colour of the water. This should tell you what is causing the backup or discolouration.

B) Slow Drain

Another clear sign that your pipes are damaged is when you notice that the drains are not clearing as fast as they usually would. Slow-moving, slow drainage or clogged drains can be caused by lousy venting or cracked, blocked, or damaged pipes.

C) A Change In Water Pressure

If you suddenly notice a change in the water pressure in your home pipes, it is time to call a professional plumber. Begin by checking your home’s water heater system. Often, a malfunctioning water heater can cause a change in the water pressure in your home.

However, if the water heater is working optimally, it could signify a leaking or clogged pipe — which needs to be cleaned immediately.

Heavy Rain And Your Plumbing

Keeping your plumbing, drains and pipes in top shape is crucial. For those in areas prone to heavy rain, having a local plumber regularly check everything is a smart move to keep things running smoothly.

Here at Fixed Today, our experienced plumbers offer more outstanding plumbing services to fix your severe problems and plumbing issues beyond what a heavy downpour can do to your plumbing system, including gas services, fixing faulty hot water systems, and installing proper drainage.

Keep an eye out for warning signs like issues with your outside drain, sewer line, or pools of water in your yard. These might indicate a problem. Finding a broken pipe early can save a lot of headaches and spare you some costly repairs down the track.

Well, that’s all for today. We hope this helps you. Stay safe, and take care!