Do April Showers Lead to Plumbing Issues Instead of May Flowers?

How the Rainy Season Can Cause Plumbing Issues

Everyone knows the old nursery rhyme that April showers bring May flowers, but most homeowners aren’t aware that they can also bring major plumbing issues. The increase in rain this time of year has an impact on many different parts of the home, mostly in negative ways. Knowing the common plumbing issues that can happen this time of year is beneficial for all homeowners so that they know what to watch for this spring.

Plumbing Issues Caused by Saturated Soil

The soil around the home can only withstand so much water at one time, as it expands to capacity. Once that amount is reached, any additional rain will just sit on top of the soil moisture and cause flooding.

That water is the cause of multiple plumbing issues, most of which are fairly serious. The biggest of these plumbing issues is a complete shift in the home’s foundation. When the soil gets overly saturated, it swells up both around and under the home.

This shift causes the foundation of the home to move, which can result in the tilting or bowing of the walls. The end result is that everything ends up moving, including the pipes. Because pipes were not designed to move, it weakens them and makes them much more likely to crack or burst. It also makes the home dangerous to live in.

Too Much Water Contributes to a Slab Leak Risk

Unfortunately, the risk of a slab leak is one of the most common spring plumbing issues. They can be extremely devastating to the home if not caught early, which means that homeowners need to stay vigilant during times of heavy rain.

When the soil gets saturated and the foundation shifts, the pipes often can’t continue to hold up and start to crack under the foundation. This can lead to symptoms like suddenly appearing wet spots on the floor, a much higher water bill, and a decrease in the water pressure in the home.

Plumbing issues that might be a slab leak needs to be addressed right away. A plumber can come out to the home and use their slab leak detection equipment to diagnose exactly where the problem is before fixing it.

Slab leak repair can be expensive however, as it tends to involve a total repiping of the home. But if caught early, pipelining may be a temporary option.

Extra Rain Can Cause Cracked Pipes

When the rain starts to pour, it has to go somewhere. Unfortunately, in some cases, that rain ends up in the home’s basement. While a flooding basement is already a plumbing issue, the increased water pressure that is caused by the sump pump getting rid of all that rain can also cause other problems.

Pipes were only built to handle so much water pressure. When they are subjected to increased water pressure over a long period of time, they get worn down and have a tendency to crack. These plumbing issues need to be evaluated by a plumber as soon as they are recognized.

Temporary solutions may be put into place, like plumbing repair tape and plumber’s epoxy putty, but most cracked pipes will eventually need to be totally repiped as they have weakened to the point that they will just continue to crack.

About First Choice Plumbing Solutions

First Choice Plumbing Solutions provides expert plumbing services in Port St Lucie, Florida. Their expertly trained technicians provide same-day service and 24/7 call hours with 100% satisfaction guaranteed. With years of experience, their plumbing contractors offer detailed solutions that ensure a long-term fix.

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