Spring is everyone’s favorite time of the year as it brings bright sunshine, cool breezes, blooming flowers, and immense positivity. However, spring also translates to trouble when it comes to plumbing. This time of the year brings several plumbing issues due to temperature fluctuations and the effects of previous extreme seasons on your pipes and drains.
It is important to closely check your plumbing systems to spot any changes that can become a reason for significant water works breakdown. Do you want a heads-up on some common plumbing problems in spring? Thankfully, you have landed at the right place as we are about to discuss plumbing issues and their solution.
Let’s dive in.
Common Plumbing Issues in Spring & their Solutions
It has been estimated that the demand for spring plumbers increases by 28% every year. Let’s look at some of the common plumbing problems and solutions:
Leaking Pipes
Many homeowners face plumbing issues as soon as the spring season hits off. These issues are common in residential and commercial complexes. It is estimated that nearly one trillion gallons of water are wasted each year due to small household leaks.
Leaking pipes in spring is an aftermath of the extreme weather conditions in winter. During the cold season, water freezes in the pipes, expanding and increasing the pressure on the walls and causing the pipes to contract and crack. However, since the water is frozen, the issue goes undetected. When spring arrives, and temperatures rise, the water thaws and leaks from the cracked areas.
Undetected leaking pipes can cause water to leak into other house areas, resulting in stains, warps, and bubbles on the house walls, floors, and ceiling. Besides creating an unsightly appearance, it can also cause musty odors from mold growth.
Solution
The second you spot a leaking pipe, it is necessary to fix it then and there. Depending on the amount of damage done, there are various ways to fix a leaking pipe. Start with removing any water in the pipe. You can rub compound sticks over the pipe if there are tiny leaks. If there are normal leaks, using waterproof tape would suffice. However, for major leaks, it is best to get epoxy paste coating for a solid fixture. You can join the broken pipe with a joint to resume the normal water flow. Moreover, you can keep your pipes insulated throughout the winter to prevent the water from freezing and causing damage to the pipes.
Sump Pump Malfunctions
It has been estimated that around half a million Americans are not bothered about installing and maintaining basic indoor plumbing equipment. This results in severe water line breakage problems. A common plumbing trouble many homeowners face in spring is from a sump pump malfunctioning. A sump pump is a device that detects rising water levels in a basement. Sump pumps automatically pump excess water from the basement through a discharge line. This saves water overflow and property damage.
During spring, the snow and frozen underwater melt, filling up your sump trench. The sump pump prevents water from overflowing as it assesses its levels and pumps water out of the trench as soon as it rises above the normal level. However, there can be significant spills and property damage if the sump pump is not working.
Solution
The only way to prevent this is by maintaining the sump pump throughout the year. You should regularly inspect the sump pump by filling the trench with water to check if the pump is properly detecting the rising water levels. Moreover, keep an eye on any signs of damage, debris, or abnormalities. Additionally, keeping another standby sump pump in case the first one acts up can save you from major property damage.
Water Heaters Act Up
Another common issue throughout the country is the water heater acting up in spring. We have heard that water heater malfunctions can deprive you from hot water, but how will this cause a plumbing problem? The answer is if you have been ignoring your water heater malfunctions for a long time, there are chances that it will burst. You will then have to deal with a major spill as gallons of water leak onto the floor, damaging your property.
Solution
It is crucial to conduct regular inspections and maintenance of your water heater so that you can spot abnormalities and fix them before they become a major problem.
Slow or Clogged Drains
The holiday season means tons of greasy food, which can clog your drain. In addition, you get to host more guests, resulting in increased restroom usage. This can cause plumbing problems in the bathroom as the drainage pipes become slow or are clogged due to overuse.
Solution
A super easy and quick solution to clogged drains is adding half a cup of salt and boiling water. Add baking soda and vinegar to the drain to remove debris and unclog. Avoid bleaches and other strong drain opening solutions available in the market, as they can damage the pipes and are dangerous.
Damaged Underground Pipes
Another spring plumbing problem is damaged underground pipes. This happens as warm climates awaken trees and plants from their winter dormancy. As soon as the spring sun shines, trees, plants, and shrubs begin sprouting and growing. Their roots can go deeper into the ground and may reach your underground PVC pipes, causing sprinkler problems. Moreover, plants can also cover your water meter boxes and main sewage system line, disrupting and breaking your water services. This is a common plumbing problem in old homes as strong underground plant roots are likely to grow, and old and outdated pipes are more prone to breakage and damage.
Solution
The only solution to this problem is to check your plumbing system regularly. If there are water pressure issues, slow drains, or strong evidence of moisture on the ground, chances are that the tree roots have invaded your automatic sprinkler systems, and it’s time to fix them before things become worse.
Superior Plumbing to Your Rescue
Are you looking for plumbing services in Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas? Say no more. Superior Plumbing and Drains, LLC brings you world-class staff and services to fix any issue in your plumbing system, from leaks and clogs to low water pressures and high water bills. Our team of experts is ready to plumb away all your water works problems to ensure smooth and peaceful operations. Are you worried about why plumbing is so expensive? Well, that would not be a problem if you came to us as we offer top-tier services at affordable rates.
