Four plumbing problems to look out for when it rains.

Although it can be soothing to hear the patter of rain, it can get stressful if your plumbing is not prepared for a heavy downpour. Hard rain doesn’t need to become a disaster for your plumbing if you act fast to solve issues that appear.

Here are four key ways that rain can affect your plumbing.

Flooding

If your property does not correctly channel rainwater, flooding may occur both inside and outside the house. You will need to ensure you have a proper drainage organised to ensure that overflowing water can be carried away from your home. If you don't clean up the flooding areas quickly, standing water or too much moisture can be the perfect environment for mold and other pests like termites, mice or rats. It also can cause your buildings foundations to be compromised, which is a very costly repair item. Generally, the longer the issue is not addressed, the higher the costs to your wallet and health can be. A plumber can review and revise your drainage plan to ensure that next time it rains, the water has somewhere to go (that is not in your bedroom!).

Roof Leaks

 There are many types of roof leaks that occur when it rains, due to

• Corrosion in your tin roof
• Gaps in your tiled roofs or broken tiles
• Incorrect installation of skylights
• Unsealed flashings or roof sheets
• Blocked or overflowing gutters
• Unaligned downpipes or drains

The best way to address roof leaks is to get a plumber. They can clean your gutters so they won't overflow, seal flashings, and repair (temporarily) or replace corroded sheets. Ongoing maintenance is an important part of making sure your drainage systems is in good and won't be overwhelmed next time it rains.

Blockages

Sediment and debris can builds up over time on your roof and then gets washed down your gutters and your drain next time there is heavy rain. This could backup your entire system, which could show up in the form of slow draining basins, gurgling pipes or water overflow in your backyard. Your local plumber can clear your blocked drains with specialized drain equipment. But it pays to routinely clean your gutters.

Damaged Pipes

Most plumbing systems are durable and built to last. But when there is heavy rainfall that saturates the ground, it can cause the ground to shift.

This shifting puts pressure on your piping and can cause them to move or bend into positions that can cause damage.

Rain damage is more likely to affect your pipes if they are old, or made of galvanized steel or earthenware. However, you should still watch out for the signs of burst and broken pipes no matter what age your plumbing system is. These will need to be repaired or replaced with a modern, durable alternative like plastic PEX pipes or poly pipes.