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Rains can be incredibly pleasant, especially after experiencing a long drought. However, these heavy downpours can later turn into disasters that leave you with a compromised plumbing network. You might think that your drainage system is in perfect condition and that all your pipes are working well. However, after the heavy rainfall, you might experience dripping roofs, leaking pipes, or plumbing problems caused by external factors.

Drainage and plumbing issues may arise and leave massive damage after a rainstorm, especially in regions with a great drought influence. Here are the common plumbing issues caused by heavy rainstorms and how you can prevent them.

1. Crawl Space or Basement Flooding

A flooded basement or crawl space can bring lots of problems to your residence. Whether your basement or crawl space has accumulated water because of a sewer backup, heavy downpour, or leaking or bursting pipes, standing water is a major issue that you need to address. A flooded crawl space or basement may permanently damage your house’s foundation.

Excess moisture and standing water in your crawl space may also create a favorable environment for mold growth. Moreover, it can also create a breeding ground for common basement pests like termites, rats, and mice. With time, the risks to your family’s health and costs of repairing your damaged living space will add up.

To prevent a flooded basement’s adverse effects, you need to remove the water immediately using a sump pump or water vacuum. These two methods are effective, but you will have to dry the crawl space or basement thoroughly. Don’t just allow the space to air dry because excess moisture is more likely to remain even after removing water pools. Use a dehumidifier to get rid of the excess moisture in your basement. That will reduce the possibilities of mildew or mold growth in your crawl space.

2. Overworking Your Sump Pump

The ground usually saturates during the rainy season, which in the Sun City, AZ, area is typically winter. The level of ground saturation determines what happens to the excess rainwater and even where it goes depending on the kind of soil surrounding your residential property. If the soil is mainly dry and porous, the water will easily dry away. However, if the soil is not permeable or is already wet and saturated from the ongoing rains, the rainwater will build around your home’s foundation.

If your home is built on an incline, gravity will pull the excess rainwater down the slope. However, if your house is in a flat area, the water will have nowhere to go. With time, the water will build up, and the increased pressure may force the water into your crawl space or basement. If you don’t have a sump pump, the water may collect and eventually cause floods in your living space.

A sump pump can draw the water into the sump pit and activate the pump to get rid of the water. If there is a heavy downpour, the water will be excessive, forcing your sump pump to work harder to remove it. To avoid overworking your sump pump, ensure that you get the right-sized sump pump for your home. Also, ensure that the sump pump is in good working condition before the rainy season.

3. Clogged or Blocked Drains

Your home’s drainage system can clog because of a heavy downpour. The excessive amount of debris swept up in the rainwater can accumulate inside your pipes, blocking the drains. This problem is common because domestic drainage systems are not designed to manage huge amounts of water and the trash that comes with it.

One way to know that there is a clog in your drainage system is a musty sewer smell coming out of the drain. To avoid clogged or blocked drains in the rainy season, contact a professional to clean your drains as soon as you notice the foul odor. Blocked drains can damage your home in the long run. Try cleaning your pipes and drains before the onset of heavy rains to prevent this problem.

4. Increased Pressure on Your Pipes

Heavy rainstorms can saturate the soil, causing the sand or dirt surrounding the piping to turn into mud. Generally, mud is pretty heavy, and it can eventually increase the external pressure on the pipes, leading to a variety of other plumbing problems.

5. Sewage Backups

When your region experiences heavy rainfall or sudden rainstorms, it can also impact your sewerage line. A heavy downpour can lead to accumulated debris in your outdoor drains, clogging your pipes, and this includes pipes leading to and from the sewer system.

Your sewerage line carries the wastewater from your home to the municipal sewerage line. However, if the line has blockages, the dirty water might accumulate over the clogged drains. Furthermore, the buildup may also cause the pipes to burst or even crack, leading to more plumbing issues.

6. Septic Tank Flooding

Rainstorms can significantly saturate the soil surrounding your home’s septic tank. If the floods are severe enough, your wastewater might build up and even flow back through your pipes. When that happens, the overflow may kill your vegetation and grass. It may also pose a serious health risk, especially to the kids and pets playing in your yard. Contact a plumbing repair expert to rectify the issue and help clean up the wastewater and sludge that has escaped your septic tank.

7. Broken Pipes

Rainstorms after a long period of drought may dry out your pipes and cause cracks. Once the rains begin, they can cause the dry pipes to burst. If your home’s pipes are older or worn out, you are more likely to face this problem. You can detect broken pipes by noticing low-pressure water coming out of your taps, water color changes, and dirt coming out of your faucets. If you notice any of these signs, you might be dealing with a broken pipe. Repair or replace your pipe immediately to prevent more plumbing issues.

Bottom Line

As a homeowner, you need to adequately prepare for the possible plumbing-related problems a springtime or winter rainstorm can cause. If you are dealing with a simple clogged drain, broken pipes, sump pump issue, flooded basement, or a major sewer backup, Sun City Mechanical is here for you. Our team of well-trained and experienced professionals can help you make the necessary repairs.

Our company offers several different services like garbage disposal repairs, water softener services, sewer repairs, gas line repairs, toilet and tap repairs, drain cleaning, and water heater installations and repairs. We also offer some heating and cooling services including, AC installations, repairs, servicing and replacements, furnace and heat pump repairs and replacements, ductwork replacement, and duct repair. If you live in Sun City, AZ, and you need to know the integrity of your plumbing system after a rainstorm, contact us today, and we’ll assist you with any leakage or plumbing problems.