Preparing Your Plumbing for the Rain

Rain drops spilling out of a gutter

Rain drops spilling out of a gutterApril showers bring May flowers, and… plumbing issues? With the rainy season right around the corner, it is essential to prioritize the comfort of your home, and nobody wants to clean the muck out of gutters in the middle of a storm!

Your plumbing fixtures are especially vulnerable to rain when it hasn’t rained for more than a month – here in the Pacific Northwest, that usually means late summer or early fall. Plumbing problems usually happen around this time because over the dry months of summer, layers of sediment are able to build up inside of drainage pipes. Once it starts raining again, this sediment can disrupt the flow of water and cause mass blockages. To avoid expensive problems like clogging, leaking, or flooding, it’s important to prepare your plumbing for the rain.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters are an essential part of your home’s plumbing system. They collect debris and water and guide it down the perimeter of your home. A good set of gutters not only protects your home from damage but also protects the terrain around your home from erosion. Before we transition into the rainy season, you should inspect and clean your gutters to ensure they’re performing at their full potential.

Ruptured Pipes

Nobody wants to deal with broken pipes. Unfortunately, they’re more common than people think, and they can be very difficult to locate or repair. Ruptured pipes often happen when it rains because the soil surrounding the plumbing fixtures becomes saturated with water and pushes on the pipes. Tree roots can also cause ruptures by growing through pipes and disrupting the flow of water.

Ruptured pipes can be particularly damaging because they allow soil and debris to enter the passage and disturb the flow of water throughout your system. It’s important to get regular inspections to ensure your pipes are prepared to withstand the rain and contact a professional right away if you notice a problem.

Signs You Need a Professional Plumber

Overlooking the signs of a serious plumbing problem could land you with a plumbing emergency. Leaking, flooding, and other problems can be expensive if you don’t catch them right away. Here are some crucial signs that you need a professional plumber:

  • Sewage backflow smell
  • Slow water drainage
  • Septic flooding
  • Visible leaking
  • Water pooling

Local Plumbing Experts in Portland OR

A little bit of effort could spare you the headaches of flooding, leaking, and other expensive damage. If you’ve noticed some warning signs or just want to make sure your plumbing system is in tip-top shape for the rainy season, D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling can help!  Your home’s safety is our top priority, and our skilled technicians provide personalized recommendations to get you the best results and emergency plumbing services. Whether you need help preparing your pipes for the rain or have an emergency in the middle of a storm, we have you covered – just contact us today to get your free estimate!

Plants That Can Ruin Your Plumbing

A tree and some flowers in a backyard

Plants in yardJust when you thought you had seen the end of your plumbing problems, plant life adds a whole new obstacle to your maintenance regimen. When shooting for aesthetics, many homeowners overlook the repercussions certain trees and shrubs can have on plumbing fixtures.

While new plants may be beautiful, they could jeopardize your septic and plumbing systems. When enhancing your lawn’s appeal with shrubs and trees, it’s vital to know where and how different plants should be grown to avoid a plumbing emergency. 

Types of Trees That Can Affect Plumbing Fixtures

Trees add beauty, personality, and shade to your yard. Unfortunately, their roots present a significant threat to your plumbing fixtures. Depending on the type and direction of the root’s growth, you may experience blockage in your pipes. Here are the trees that most frequently grow into plumbing lines and fixtures:

  • Birch trees are favored by homeowners who appreciate graceful, slender trees. Birch roots usually grow a 4- to 8-inch-thick mat-like structure, but they still present a threat to nearby pipes. Birch trees need no less than twenty feet of space between plumbing fixtures and your home’s foundation to ensure no damage is done.
  • Citrus trees are a tasty source of lemons, oranges, and more. Although these trees yield wonderful fruits, they’re infamous for their damage to plumbing fixtures and are banned by many HOA’s for this reason. When planting a citrus tree, the placement must be at least 6-8 feet from the foundation of your home to avoid damage.
  • Oak trees are notorious for their longevity and strength, though they’re also infamous for damaging foundations and plumbing fixtures. Because oak trees grow slowly, they can penetrate pipes at a sneaky pace that takes a while to notice. Oak trees should be planted a minimum of 15-30 feet away from important fixtures on your property.

Preventive Growth Barriers

There are many methods you can use to protect yourself from expensive plumbing repairs, and one of the most cost-effective options is to have a preventive growth barrier installed.
A preventive growth barrier is an assemblage of walls implanted into the ground around a plant that’s main job is to redirect the growth of roots. A professional landscaper can help install a growth barrier to make it easier to plant a yard without root-related complications.

Experts In Plumbing Repair

Putting up with the complications of plant-related plumbing damages is no thrilling endeavor. If you’ve done your calculations and a plant’s roots still managed to come in contact with your pipes, it’s best to turn to the experts at D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. Here at D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, we make it our top priority to repair your plumbing and protect your plumbing fixtures from any additional damage. If you require immediate plumbing repair, don’t hesitate to contact us today!