Facts About Home Flooding That Homeowners Should Know
Finally, after what feels like forever, spring is here with the upcoming flowers from all the April showers! Temperatures are rising once again and the sun seems to be shining just a little bit brighter. It’s a beautiful time of year because spring symbolizes a time of renewal when everything comes back to life. But there is one harsh reality that often comes as a package deal with spring: heavy rains.
These heavy rains can spoil that delicious backyard BBQ and cause some serious damage to the overall plumbing system. If the plumbing system is not properly maintained prior to the heavy rains of spring, the home can easily flood. Homeowners should take this knowledge as a warning, so they can be prepared for the damage that may be right around the corner.
Crippling Pressure of Heavy Rains
Spring can be such an exciting time! People come out of their winter hibernation stage, the flowers start to bloom, and the parks and beaches start to fill with people. But as mentioned, the springtime can bring some heavy rains, which impacts the plumbing system.
All of that extra rainwater creates a crippling amount of pressure on plumbing pipes due to the extra weight and the extra work that the pipes have to perform. This pressure can cause the pipes to burst or crack, and most homeowners recognize that the “story of a burst pipe” ends in a nightmare!
Burst pipes can result in flooding, which damages the floors, cabinets, furniture, walls, and more. On top of all that, it can also lead to mold growth if the water isn’t cleaned up quickly. Homeowners should always check two things after heavy rainfall to minimize potential damage.
- First, walk around the house (yes, every room) to make sure the floors and carpets are still dry. This is the easiest way to spot a flooding problem.
- Second, run water down the drains to see if they are draining at a normal pace. If a pipe broke, dirt, rocks, leaves, and other debris could enter into the pipe, cause a clog, and slow the drains.
Watch for Underground Pipe Damage
Heavy rains don’t just put water pressure on pipes that are in the house. They also put pressure on pipes that are under the house and can cause damage to these pipes as well. Just like people try to get outside and soak up as much sun as they can during the spring and summer months, the ground will try to soak up as much rainwater as it possibly can.
When it starts to absorb all of this water, the dirt becomes soft, muddy, and heavy. The slipperiness of the ground can cause the pipes to shift, and if they shift too much, they can crack. If the dirt around the pipes becomes too heavy, the pipes can also crack under the weight. Both of these situations lead to flooding and plumbing damage.
Dangerous Foundation Shifts
Adding to the damage that underground pipes can see from heavy rains, saturated soil can also lead to dangerous home foundation shifts. This level of excess moisture increases the hydrostatic pressure of the ground under the foundation, which can then push against the foundation and cause it to shift. To avoid foundation shifts, here are a few things homeowners can try:
- Clean out gutters and spouts: Water pours right over the edge of the gutter when it's clogged, causing the ground near the house’s foundation to become saturated.
- Add mulch around the house: Mulch can help soak up excess water and prevent it from reaching the soil closest to the foundation.
- Gently sloped landscaping only: Any landscaping that homeowners add to their home should be sloped in a way that allows water to run away from the house, not towards it.
About B&L Plumbing and Heating
B&L Plumbing and Heating is a local Colorado Springs plumbing company dedicated to providing top-quality services for their customers including leak detections, and even slab leak repairs. They believe that being a great plumber means more than just having a license and the right tools – it’s also about providing exceptional customer service.
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