While most of Australia is notorious for being dry and water scarce, some areas in Melbourne and Sydney still experience heavy downpours during the winter months. Despite being much appreciated, these downpours come with their own set of challenges for home and business owners.
Ongoing storms are notorious for placing an incredible amount of pressure on residential
drainage and sewerage systems. Older, non-maintained plumbing systems can put your home at risk of having to deal with issues that will require the assistance of the plumber Sydney locals rely on. This post looks at key tips to help you avoid the plumbing issues caused by heavy rainfall.
Understanding How Rainfall Affects Your Plumbing
When you’re faced with heavy bouts of rain, the last thing on your mind might be how this affects your plumbing. The reality is that excessive amounts of water delivered in moments can put an incredible amount of pressure on drainage and sewage systems.
Older or neglected systems can lead to issues such as sewage backups, foundation damage, and eventual costly emergency repairs. Depending on the type of plumbing systems you have, common issues can include the following:
- Overwhelmed sump pumps
- Basement seepage
- Slow drainage
- Gurgling toilets
- Damaged pipe joints
- Blocked stormwater drains
Keep Your Plumbing Storm Ready
Many Australian homeowners invest in or perform the relevant seasonal maintenance required to keep roofs and gutters storm-ready. However, how much thought are you giving to preparing your plumbing systems? Here’s a quick breakdown of the top tips that will keep your plumbing ready for any type of weather.
1. Tip #1: Avoid the Dreaded Sewer Surcharge Issue
It’s very easy for the main sewer lines on your property to become overwhelmed by excessive amounts of rainwater. This is quite common in areas where the plumbing infrastructure may be old or not well-maintained, which can lead to cracked pipes. In these instances, wastewater can push back up into residential toilets and drains.
The most significant way to prevent this issue is to have your plumbing infrastructure inspected and assessed by your local plumber. They will advise you of any relevant repairs or upgrades that will prevent sewer surcharge during storms. Be sure to keep your drains clean throughout the year.
2. Tip #2: Understand the Importance of Stormwater Maintenance
Your plumbing infrastructure isn’t only made up of the pipes and drains in your home. It’s important to factor the surrounding stormwater system into the equation. In most cases, stormwater drains are designed to be managed separately from the sewer system. This, however, doesn’t mean that it can’t affect your plumbing.
Stormwater drains are designed to move rain from roofs and paving areas into the main drains. When these systems become damaged or blocked, water starts flowing and pooling onto your property.
Effective ways to avoid this include the following:
- Clear the gutters and downpipes to prevent potential water damage
- Inspect stormwater grates
- Have drains on your property inspected by a plumber
A huge plus here is that annual or seasonal maintenance can be performed by your local plumber or roofing plumber. This means that you don’t have to do it yourself, and you’ll have the peace of mind that it’s done correctly and at the right time.
3. Tip #3: Invest in Preventive Maintenance
Keeping your plumbing in working order isn’t just about dealing with an issue when it rains. It starts with the maintenance you perform on these systems year-round. Often referred to as preventative or dry maintenance, the process involves caring for drains, pipes, and other infrastructure all year round.
For the most part, your local plumber will perform an assessment of the system. They will inspect for issues such as damaged or cracked pipes, which can lead to blockages and overflows. Doing repairs and upgrades throughout the year will ensure that the system is robust enough to work when you need it to.
Your plumber will also advise you to practice habits such as watching what you flush and refraining from pouring grease or oil down the sink. These simple habits will go a long way toward keeping your drains and pipes clear, making it easier for water to flow through them.
4. Tip #4: Safeguard Septic Systems
Locals living in regional or semi-rural areas where septic systems are in use should ensure that preparations are made before the rainy season starts. With heavy rainfall, the “drain field” area quickly becomes saturated. This happens when the ground can no longer absorb any more liquid, and the septic tank can’t safely discharge it’s effluence.
Our plumbing team recommends the following:
- Divert stormwater to prevent over-saturation
- Reduce indoor water use, such as doing laundry when it’s raining
- Don’t pump a flooded tank
Final Thoughts
The most effective way to prevent any serious plumbing issues in your home and surrounding property is to invest in preventative maintenance. Having your plumbing infrastructure assessed, repaired, and upgraded is crucial to ensuring that all your systems function the way they should. Doing this will not keep your property safe, but it will also go a long way toward saving you money on costly repairs!
