In sunny Southern California, heavy rain is usually pretty hard to come by. However, when it does rain, homeowners are not always prepared for the aftermath. Heavy, sudden rains can lead to serious plumbing with our plumbing and drain systems, especially if our properties aren’t properly equipped to handle the steady water intake. In order to preserve your home and guard against the rain, make sure you know what signs might indicate a serious plumbing problem.
Common Plumbing Problems When It Rains
1. Flooding Due To Lack Of Outdoor Drainage
Heavy rain often causes water to accumulate in low points and dips throughout our yard. However, if there is nowhere for this water to drain, these pools of rainwater can become a serious problem. Outdoor flooding could indicate several different problems, and discovering the true issue depends largely on where the water is and whether the proper drains are in place. Outside flooding might indicate a lack of proper drainage on the property. If your property does not correctly channel the rainwater, for instance, your driveway, basement steps, or walkway might flood. This type of flooding could compromise the stability of your driveway, deck, or the underlying foundation of your home. An area drain could solve this issue by providing proper drainage at the low points on your property and carrying water away from your home.
2. Debris Clogging & Blocking Indoor Drains Leading To A Backup
When you notice water pooling in your sink, shower, bathtub, or near other household drains, you might have a blockage in your plumbing system. Debris brought in by heavy rain, like leaves, soil, sticks, and trash, might get into your sewer system and cause your drains to clog, backing up your entire system.
3. Sewage Backing Up Into The Home Due To The Clogged Drains
When your area experiences sudden or heavy rainfall, you should consider the impact on your sewer line. As previously stated, heavy rain can lead to a build-up of debris in outdoor drains, which often clogs the underlying pipes. When this happens, it might eventually affect your sewer line. The sewer line carries wastewater from your home to the municipal sewer line, but when the line is blocked, that dirty water could accumulate over your clogged drains. Or, the buildup might cause your pipes to crack or burst.
4. Pipes Bursting & Cracking From The Blockage
If you notice that your sink water is colored, your water tastes coppery, or a mildew smell permeates your home, you might have experienced a cracked or broken pipe. When rainwater pools and has nowhere to go, it puts pressure on your pipes and could cause them to break, especially if the pipes are old or damaged. As a result, the freshwater that flows into your home might be tainted by soil and other contaminants.
What Should You Do Next?
Even though California rarely experiences heavy rain, homeowners need to be prepared for the potential plumbing problems of a winter or springtime rainstorm. Whether you’re dealing with a major pipe burst, a simple clogged area drain, or sewer blockage, our team of trained professionals is prepared to help you restore functionality to your home and property. We offer several different services, including repiping, drain clearing, video line assessments and repairs, water main replacements, sewer line repairs, and more. If you are concerned about the integrity of your drains or plumbing system after a rainstorm, make sure you reach out to our professional plumbers.