Springs Showers Spell Trouble for Plumbing
There’s nothing worse than a plumbing problem to ruin the glorious days of spring. No one wants to deal with burst pipes on a sunny spring day, but unfortunately, they crop up quite a bit in the spring. The cause is often the April showers that bring those beautiful May flowers - if a home’s plumbing isn’t prepared for the waterworks, trouble ensues.
Just what kind of plumbing situations should homeowners prepare for as spring arrives? Keep reading to find out!
Super Saturated Soil
Most of the time, folks pray for rain in the spring. Rain ensures a healthy crop, a beautiful lawn, and plenty of flowers and fruits to enjoy. However, when the rains turn excessive, it can mean big trouble for a home’s soil.
It’s a common misconception that soil can absorb as much water as it is given. If this were true, mud puddles would never happen! Soil has a saturation point, and once all the air pockets and gaps in the soil are filled with water, it becomes over-saturated. So what does that mean for a home’s plumbing?
Saturated soil is the prime condition for flooding and septic tank catastrophes. When soil can no longer retain water, it has nowhere to go, resulting in flooding of pipes, lawns, and even the home. Additionally, when soil becomes over-saturated, septic tanks are prone to breaking down and are unable to do their job, making hazardous conditions for the occupants of a home.
Cracks and Leaks in the Foundation
Over-saturated soil contributes to another major issue for homes: foundation and slab damage. When soil is over-saturated, and water is not being properly funneled by a home’s irrigation and plumbing system out and away from a home’s foundation, pressure builds up. Constant subjection to water pressure can shift a home’s slab, introduce cracks and fissures into a home’s foundation, and even make a path for the over-saturated water to start leaking into the home’s walls and basements if left unchecked.
Homeowners should also be wary of the following signs of a foundation leak:
- mold in the basement or near the slab
- Cracks near windows and doors
- Damaged or cracked floors and walls
Prevention is achieved by preventing groundwater from collecting and directing a home’s used water out and away from the foundation with proper plumbing.
Underground Pipe Breaks and Bursts
Heavy rains can play a significant role in the function of underground plumbing pipes of a home for a number of reasons. In some cases, oversaturated soil causes pressure on pipes. That’s why homeowners should keep an eye on their plumbing whenever they suspect that soil is over-saturated. The high quantity of water going through underground pipes can put extra pressure on the system, putting the plumbing at risk of breaking or bursting.
If the pressure isn’t the cause of a pipe breaking, it may contribute to a pipe becoming useless. Water pressure and oversaturated soil can shift a pipe from its location, causing dips or bowing in the structure that prevents water or waste from flowing freely through the system. This shift can cause back up into the home and flooding, reintroducing hazardous waste to the indoor system. In both cases, when the integrity of a pipe has been damaged, the safety of the home and its occupants becomes put into question.
When it comes to preventing and fixing problems caused by spring showers, homeowners should work with a reputable local plumber to be prepared. Their expertise can take hours of stress and grief out of the process and get homes back on track to enjoying the beauty of spring.
About The Plumbing & Air Service Co.
When plumbing or HVAC problems strike, the Greensboro community knows they can trust The Plumbing & Air Service Co. to help. Their business is built on integrity and trust, and every job is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Homeowners know that every project, from a simple drain cleaning to complete plumbing installation, will be handled with the utmost care. Contact them to schedule slab leak repair in Greensboro today!
