Tag: spring

Prevention Tips for April Shower-Fueled Plumbing Troubles

Spring showers are a welcome reprieve from the cold weather of winter. The rain brings the gorgeous greenery of spring to life. Despite the beauty of spring, these showers can contribute to problems with a home’s plumbing. Preparing for the inevitable deluge of spring showers now can help prevent any plumbing problems later into spring and summer. 

Keep reading to find out common plumbing problems brought on by spring rainstorms and how to effectively prevent them from harming a home. 

Saturated Soil Struggles

Everyone knows that April showers bring May flowers, but seldom do homeowners think about the conditions underneath their colorful lawn. The truth is, a green lawn or even a muddy one can hide a treacherous problem lurking underground. Overly saturated soil is frequently indicated by standing water, or rushing water issues over topsoil, and even root rot or browning leaves on rooted plants. 

But why is saturated soil an issue for a home’s plumbing system? The answer is pretty simple: erosion. As water seeps underground, it can lead to soil degradation, which can cause pipes to collapse underground. When this happens, plumbing is more likely to leak into the soil around the home or even flow back into the house. This can be an exceptional problem when it comes to sewer pipelines sinking or bowing underground. 

Preventing saturated soil starts and ends with directing water away from the home. Ensuring proper drainage and keeping ground drains clear and flowing away from the house will help prevent bowing pipes. 

Foundation & Slab Leaks 

Water is a remarkable source of pressure on a home’s foundation. Oversaturated soil feeds foundation and slab leaks, turning them into a monster of a problem. As the soil surrounding a home becomes saturated, it begins to swell, building pressure and pushing up against the foundation of the house. Over time cracks develop as the water pushes into the foundation. 

Signs of foundation leaks include flooding in the basement, excessive humidity, or mold in a home’s basement or lower level. Repairs to a foundation can be labor-intensive and require professional assistance to ensure that the cracks and holes are repaired correctly and effectively with cement, waterproofing, or other sealant materials.

Busted Buried Pipes

Spring may bring warmer days, but the nights can still be pretty cold. In fact, burst pipes are surprisingly common during spring weather. There are two main reasons for burst pipes occurring in the summer, and they work in tandem with each other to create a broken underground mess.

First and foremost, springtime means more moisture for the pipes to deal with. Soil saturates, spring rains bring water flooding through pipes, and overall the outdoor drains, indoor sump pumps, and underground pipes undergo more work. Combining the increased presence of water with the deep chill that spring nights can still bring spells trouble for pipes. 

Burst pipes can wreak havoc inside and outside a home. Underground pipes can flood the basement and lower levels of a house with water and sewage, creating a hazardous living environment and thousands of dollars in damages. Repairing outdoor pipes can require excavation, heavy equipment, and a lot of hours working with plumbers. It’s best just to avoid the whole situation with the proper prevention. 

If there’s a freeze warning or if frost is still collecting on the grass overnight, there is a chance pipes can burst. It’s important to keep hoses and water fixtures outside unplugged until the last freeze date has passed. Additionally, keeping water moving through the home with a dripping faucet will help prevent any surprise freezes at night.

Keeping the water of spring showers away from the home can help prevent these unenjoyable springtime plumbing problems, leaving homeowners free to smell the spring flowers and enjoy those April showers!

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. has proudly been providing their Annapolis neighbors for over 65 years with the best plumbing and heating service around. Heidler, Inc. provides honest, affordable solutions tailored to their client’s individual needs. From gas fireplaces to plumbing installation, their technicians get it done right the first time. Give the ma call today for Annapolis slab lear repair.

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