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Plumbing Problems after Rainstorms

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Melbourne Plumber

A surge in the amount of rain you get around your home can cause significant damage to your home and plumbing system.  There’s nothing worse than gray water backing up your toilets and showers after a flooding episode in your area.  If there has been a long period of dry weather in your area followed by a lot of or flooding, this can very well happen in your home.  Here are some things to look for after a severe rainstorm:

• Ruptured Piping: A ruptured pipe can be caused from the ground shifting and putting pressure on the pipes that are located underground.  You will need a qualified plumber to assess and fix this issue.
• Blocked Pipes: This can be caused from debris running into the drainpipes or running off the rooftop.  Ensure your drains and gutters are clean and free of debris all year long.  Another reason for a blocked pipe can be caused by root invasion.  In this case, you will need a qualified plumber to clear out the sewer line or dig up the tree roots.  In more severe cases, a new sewer line may be needed due to the heavy damage caused by tree roots.

Garbage Disposals are Problems Too

Following a rainstorm, the sewer may not be your only issue.  Garbage disposals can also cause a huge issue with backing up and if not used correctly, can make the problem that much worse.  Here are some tips to keep your garbage disposal in good working order all year long.

• Never pour grease down the garbage disposal. Kitchen grease of any kind will surely block your line quicker than you expect and it won’t take long for that to happen.  Find another place to drain your bacon, hamburger, and fryer grease.  This can cause a costly visit from a plumber and is preventable.
• Avoid seeded foods and eggshells. Food with seeds or pits like apricots, peaches, or melons, can not only dull up your garbage disposal blade, but will clog it as well.  Eggshells can make a sludge type of mess and a combination of the two is a homeowner’s nightmare.
• Maintain your disposal. Routinely run a few pieces of ice and lemon peel in your disposal to clean and sharpen the blades.
• Avoid putting melon rinds or other heavy duty foods that can either clog the drain or damage the disposal itself.

Maintaining all of your gutters and drains in and outside of your home will help keep your plumbing issues to a minimum during a storm or flood.  Sewers, toilets, showers, and garbage disposals are just a few locations that can cause thousands of dollars in damage very quickly.  When in doubt, call your local plumber for assessment of your plumbing or during a plumbing emergency.