At first glance, there doesn’t appear to be a connection between rainfall and your home plumbing system. However, there is, in fact, a correlation, and it tends to be negative. Here’s some important info about how rain causes plumbing problems and what you can do.
Added Pressure in Pipes
The pipes underneath your yard are durable but do have a weight limit. Rain saturates the ground, turning the dirt into mud. Mud weighs more than dirt. This can increase the exterior pressure on the pipes. Pipes already subjected to excessive weight can give way and sag. The pipes may also shift, causing the joints to separate and rupture.
Debris Infiltration
Rain water may carry solid debris with it. This can get into pipes with existing cracks and openings. This can cause a blockage, which in turn can lead to water backing up in the basement. In addition, the water can accelerate tree root growth. The roots can extend in the direction of the pipes and cause further damage.
Basement Flooding
As just mentioned, backed-up water may redirect into the basement or crawlspace. Excessive standing water in the home’s interior can cause mold growth. It can also be detrimental to the concrete foundation.
The Solution
A plumbing service can’t stop the rain, but it can inspect your residential pipes. A healthy plumbing system should have no trouble withstanding a downpour, even if it’s raining cats and dogs. This is a good time of year to schedule an inspection since this is the season of peak rainfall in the Pacific Northwest.
We Minimize Rain-Caused Plumbing Problems
With winter here, many homeowners are having their heaters checked. We suggest an accompanying plumbing inspection. Plumbing and Heating Specialist has special offers that make our services affordable. The connection between rain and plumbing is one that warrants homeowner attention.
Residential Plumbing Inspection
Serving Customers in Snohomish, King & Pierce Counties, including Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Bothell, Snohomish, Shoreline, Brier, Mountlake Terrace, Maltby, Lake Forest Park, Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens & Woodway