Cincinnati has had near record breaking rainfall this month, and with all that rain comes potential problems with your plumbing. From broken pipes to flooded basements, rain can do serious damage to your home and have you reaching for towels to clean up the mess – or reaching for the phone to call the plumber.
Get ahead of the forecast and protect your plumbing from rain damage. Below are the top ways rain can cause damage to your plumbing and how to spot when you have problems.
Rain puts pressure on your pipes
When rainfall is particularly heavy, it can put more pressure on your pipes. This happens when whatever surrounds the pipes – like sand or dirt – absorbs water. In turn, as the area around the pipes swell with water, it can make the pipes burst.
If you’re concerned your pipes can be affected by rain in this fashion, especially if the plumbing in your home is older, contact a plumber. Newer pipes are durable and able to withstand significant pressure, so you may do good by investing in new pipes.
Underground pipes can move
Rain can cause serious damage when it soaks the ground enough to make it less than terra firma. Just look the mudslides that impact Columbia Parkway whenever we get a lot of rainfall.
As rain begins to compromise the earth around underground pipes in your home, they’ll likely shift, and sometimes enough to cause damage. The pipes can crack in their new, unstable position or become blocked.
Pipe backup after it rains
We all know gutters have the potential of collecting debris during heavy rainfall that, in turn, can make them clog. The same thing can happen in your underground pipes. Stones, sand, and mud can create a backup in your pipes after a heavy rain, especially if the pipes have shifted during the downpour.
Top signs rain has damaged your plumbing
Water leaks
If your pipes or drains leak water during or after a heavy rainfall, there’s a good chance a pipe has clogged or cracked. Check the siding on your house, ceiling and walls for telltale signs. If you spot buckling paint, cracked or water stained walls or ceilings, or if your home’s siding is buckling, it’s time to call the plumber.
Standing water in your basement or crawl space
Standing water in your basement or crawl space should never be ignored. If your basement floods when it rains heavily it could be from a broken, leaking, or significantly clogged pipe, or from a sewage backup.
Unless you take charge of the problem, the flooding can cause serious damage to your home’s foundation. It can also lead to mold problems that can affect your health.
Contact a plumber immediately if you experience any flooding in your basement or crawl space. You’ll want to have a professional plumber locate the source of the problem and fix it before it does further damage to your home.
Overflowing drains
Take a look at your drains after a big rainfall. If they’re overflowing, there is a good chance your pipes shifted and are potentially cracked, causing blockage. While a snake line may be able to unclog the drain, if the pipe has been significantly damaged it may need to be replaced.
Rain can damper plans, but it shouldn’t affect your plumbing. If it does, contact a plumber. We can find the source of the leak and a solution so your home stays dry after the clouds roll in.