In Adelaide, the winter season often brings steady rains and anytime the skies open up and it starts pouring, the last thing on your mind is your plumbing system. Did you know that this heavy rain could significantly impact a home’s plumbing system in ways one would not really think of? At ABA Plumbing & Gas we know this way too well as we deal with the effects of heavy rainfall on a daily basis. The impact caused by heavy rain can catch homeowners off guard and cause unplanned plumbing problems, but knowing these effects can help you protect your home.

Hidden Dangers of Heavy Rain

Heavy rainfall can push more water through your house’s plumbing and drainage systems than they can handle, especially if they are poorly maintained or were not designed to handle the large volumes that could potentially be involved. Here are some common ways heavy rainfall can impact your plumbing:

• Overflowing Gutters and Downpipes: Gutters and downpipes offer the essential function of providing a route away for rainwater from your house. If these have become blocked up by rubbish or haven’t been properly maintained, they will overflow. This will cause water to pool at the bottom of your house, which may seep into the crawl space at the bottom of your house to cause water damage or mould.
• Sewer Backups: Heavy rain can overwhelm almost all municipal sewer systems. When the amount of rainwater is too much for the sewer pipes, they overflow, forcing the wastewater back into the homes through the drains, toilets, and sinks. This causes headaches not only from a messy perspective but also from a health point of view.
• Leaky pipes: The increased pressure from water flow due to heavy rainfall may further deteriorate existing leaks in the plumbing. Older, corroding, or otherwise weakened pipes can be cracked or even burst by this, leading to water damage and very expensive repairs.
• Shifting Soil and Pipe Damage: Weeks of incessant rain can soak into the ground and move soil. This movement can put added pressure on underground pipes, stressing them enough to crack or break. This becomes especially troublesome with older houses with clay or cast-iron pipes that are more likely to be damaged.

Precautions Against Damaging Your Plumbing System

Fortunately, however, there are quite a number of things you can do to help safeguard your plumbing system from the heavy rain:

• Regular Maintenance: Gutters and downpipes should be cleared of leaves and other debris. Check your plumbing regularly for leaks and ensure that sump pumps are in good order.
• Backflow Prevention Devices: Installation of the backflow prevention devices may help protect your home from sewage backup by blocking wastewater from flowing backward into your house. These devices become more important, especially for homes in areas that experience a heavy rain or flood.
• Landscaping and Drainage: Proper landscaping and drainage can help direct water away from your home. Be sure the ground slopes away from your foundation.
• Inspect and Upgrade Pipes: Take out time to inspect your pipes occasionally for wear and tear and replace older or worse-for-wear pipes with new pipes using modern and more sturdy materials, such as PVC or PEX. These are more resistant to corrosion and withstand pressures exerted by heavy rain much better.

When to Call the Pros?

In case of plumbing issues after heavy rainfalls, it is always best to call professionals who can assess the situation and do whatever repairs may be required. At ABA Plumbing & Gas, we are the drain plumbers Adelaide residents trust for all plumbing problems – from a minor leak to major backups in sewers. Our response team is available 24/7 for any emergency plumbing issue to make sure your house stays safe and dry.

Heavy rain is a way of life, but it doesn’t have to mean plumbing disasters. If you have any concerns with your plumbing system, do not hesitate to contact us here at ABA Plumbing & Gas.