Common Plumbing Repair Issues Caused By Storms

Normal daily activity in American homes would not be the same without potable water and indoor plumbing systems. We appreciate cleanliness, good, healthy food, and private toilet facilities.The fixtures might be simple or extravagant, but they are appreciated just the same.

Plumbing is a complex building system, consisting of two parts, supply and sewage, with the intersection of the two parts at the point of use—faucets, tanks, and appliances. Supply and sewage components are found both inside and outside the home. The whole system works very well together until something goes wrong; sometimes things go wrong inside the home and sometimes outside the home.

Homeowners might be familiar with several indoor plumbing problems but should also be aware of problems that develop from heavy rainfall. Normal annual rainfall is about 52 inches, with June and July being our wettest months, averaging about 6 inches per month. Some years the rainfall is excessive. In 2017, the area experienced nearly 80 inches of rain, with more than 40 inches falling in three days.

Rainfall does not have to be that heavy to cause problems for the outdoor portions of residential plumbing systems. Here are three potential problems to watch for that arise from sudden heavy rain.

How Erosion Causes Plumbing Repairs

Localized heavy rain can saturate the ground, loosen soil and rocks, and cause shifting underground.

• Movement of the soil can result in the movement of buried pipes. Enough movement can cause searing force that will break pipes.
• The movement of rocks can bring them into contact with buried pipes

A broken pipe will result in the erosion of soil. Unusual wet spots will develop and create depression of the soil. A broken supply pipe results in rapid erosion, since the water is under pressure. Water may stream out of the wet spot and create runoff. A broken sewer pipe will create wet depressions much slower, but the water will be smelly and noxious.

Heavy Rain Can Cause Sewer Backups

Localized flooding can also create sewer backups. Flood waters may infiltrate the sewer system, fill it beyond capacity, and force water inside of a home. If a backup does not enter a home, it may cause water being used inside the home to overflow, since the water has no place to go.

This condition does not usually last long, so during localized flooding, it is best to limit or stop the flow of sewage from the home. Reduce toilet flushes and wait a while for cleaning/bathing activities.

Discolored Water

The municipal water supply may also be affected by localized flooding. Here are some important facts to remember.

• Water quality standards are kept very high for our health and safety. If treated water is compromised, the community will be informed about problems.
• The water supply is kept clean from the water treatment plant to the faucet. Since the water is under pressure, no air or other sources of contamination should come into contact with the water. This keeps us all safe and healthy.
• The most common problem during these situations is a broken water main. The water supplier may issue a boil order for a period. This allows any air or other source of contamination to be forced from the system (by water pressure), while keeping the community safe.

While our indoor plumbing provides essential comfort and convenience, it’s clear that heavy rainfall can pose significant plumbing repair threats to your home’s entire system.

From erosion causing broken pipes to sewer backups and issues with your municipal water supply, understanding these potential problems is key to proactive home maintenance and plumbing repair prevention.

Being aware of the risks allows you to take necessary precautions, like monitoring your yard for wet spots or limiting water usage during floods, ensuring your home’s plumbing remains reliable, even when the skies open up.

Let Doctor Cool assist with all of your plumbing repair questions. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool and let our professional Residential League City Plumbing Repair Contractors assist with all of your plumbing repair needs.