Although Arizona isn’t known as the rainiest place in the United States, it still has heavy rainstorms. That’s because the Sonoran Desert – which spans southern and southwestern Arizona as well as Baja California– has two rainy seasons: one in the winter and another in the summer. Rather than being filled with endless days of light showers, these rainy seasons consist of quick storms that bring down heavy rains. In fact, it’s not rare for a single storm to deliver half of the desert’s yearly rainfall.
So, what does all this mean for your home’s plumbing? There are several ways rain affects your plumbing – even if you’re living in Arizona. The best thing you can do to keep your home safe is to understand how rain affects plumbing systems and what you can do to prepare.
Can A Storm Cause Plumbing Problems?
Heavy rains that come on suddenly can wreak havoc on a plumbing system, especially if it isn’t prepared to handle such storms. The main problems that heavy rain and storms can cause are mostly related to backed-up drains and pipes.
If a storm is headed your way, ensure your home is prepared by having a plumber inspect your home’s drainage and piping systems.
Ways That Rain Affects Your Plumbing
- Flooding Due to Poor Drainage System. During heavy rainstorms, water will pool in flat areas or low points outside your home. If your home isn’t built on land with a proper drainage system, these pools of water can grow and lead to floods in your garage, walkways, or driveway.
- Burst or Cracked Pipes. A storm can cause debris like sticks and leaves to be swept into your plumbing system. When this happens, pipes may experience a blockage where water can’t get through. The blockage creates pressure in the pipe as water pushes to get through. Eventually, all this pressure can build to a point where the pipe bursts or cracks.
- Sewage Back-Up. Just as debris can build up in your water lines during a rainstorm, it can also clog outdoor sewage lines. Your sewage line carries waste from your toilet to public sewer lines that run through your municipality. When this line is blocked by debris, the wastewater has nowhere to go and will begin to build up in your pipes which could lead to clogged drains.
- Leaks from Gutter Debris. If you aren’t cleaning out your gutters at least once every two months, heavy rain can cause severe damage to your home. When gutters aren’t cleared, and a sudden heavy rain comes along, the water has nowhere to go. Instead of running through the gutters and being directed away from your home, the backed-up water will likely pool and begin to leak through your roof or walls.
Get A Free Estimate On Your Plumbing Project
If your home’s plumbing has experienced damage from rainwater, don’t wait for things to get worse. Now is the time to call a local plumber who can assess the damage and make necessary repairs.
Phend Plumbing is a plumbing specialist in the Phoenix Valley area. With offices in Mesa-Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona, our family-owned business has years of experience helping homeowners and businesses with all their plumbing needs. We offer up-front pricing and fast, professional work. Call us at 480-388-6093 or contact us online for a fast, free estimate on your plumbing project.