Spring Storm Plumbing Prep: 4 Tips to Protect Your Plumbing

Spring is in full swing, and with the flowers comes the dreaded spring showers that can wreak havoc on your plumbing system if it is not tested and prepared. Preparing your plumbing is the important first step to make sure you don’t experience any flooding or damaged pipes this season! In this quick guide, we'll list the common ways you can adequately prepare your indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures to handle any spring storm that comes your way this season!

4 Ways You Can Prepare Your Plumbing for Spring

1. Clean Your Gutters!

Leaves and other debris can accumulate in your home’s gutters over time, leading to clogs that can cause water to overflow and back up into your home during a spring storm. To prevent this, inspect and remove all debris and any items that can block water from being redirected away from your home during a storm.

2. Secure and Trim Outdoor Fixtures

Debris and winds from storms can damage plumbing fixtures that are outside the home, and prevention is key to avoid costly repairs that may occur. Some prevention methods include: trimming any trees or vegetation near plumbing lines, secure fixtures down like umbrellas or furniture, and investing in frost-proof outdoor faucets to avoid a burst pipe.

3. Protect Your Pipes

With Spring’s unpredictable weather, experiencing a cold snap can cause pipes or faucets to crack or snap. Protection and prevention is key to minimize damage, and there are a few ways you can do this! You can prevent freezing by regularly circulating warm air behind cabinet doors, and protect pipes by adding insulation material to areas like attics, basements, or other crawl spaces.

4. Have a Backup Plan

Sewage is highly likely to flow back into your home in times of heavy rain if there is nothing to prevent it. To exercise caution, have a backwater valve installed which allows sewage out but not back in. To be on the safer side, regularly prevent flushing any item down the toilet which may lead to a blockage.

Conclusion: Prevention is key!

If your area typically experiences a rainy season in the spring, inspection and prevention are key to ensure your plumbing stays running smoothly during a storm. Being proactive in cleaning, trimming, and testing your plumbing fixtures will save you costly repairs this spring season!

FAQs About preparing your plumbing for spring

Q: How can I prevent my pipes from freezing during a storm?
A: Luckily there are a wide variety of materials you can use to insulate your pipes to prevent freezing! These methods include: pipe insulation foam sleeves, fiberglass pipe wrap, rubber insulation, layers of reflective foil between foam sleeves or fiberglass, and heat tape. Whichever method you choose, make sure to follow the proper technique or consult a plumbing professional.

Q: How can I clean out a clogged gutter myself?

A: If you have the necessary equipment (ladder, gloves, scoop, trash bag) cleaning your gutters yourself before a storm can be a straightforward task. Set up the ladder to a safe height, remove large debris by hand and smaller debris with a scoop, check for clogs, clean up any leftover residue and safely dispose of debris.

Q: What should I immediately do if my basement floods?

A: Safety first — turn off the basement’s electricity or contact an electrician to shut off the electricity if the circuit breaker is in the basement. Next is to identify the source of the flooding and shut off the supply if possible. After, remove standing water with a wet vacuum or submersible pump, salvage any belongings, ventilate and dehumidify, and finally assess any damage that needs to be restored by professionals.

Q: Help! How can I tell if a tree root damaged my plumbing?

A: Root intrusion and overgrown vegetation can invade your outdoor pipes and cause a blockage or other damage. To minimize this risk, regularly trimming any trees or shrubs near your outdoor plumbing is a crucial step in your spring maintenance.

Q: If my outdoor plumbing system is backed up, how can I get in touch with Austin Plumbery?

It’s easy! Just give us a call or text us at (512) 766-1519 to get a quote and schedule a home visit.