As temperatures rise in the spring and snow starts to melt, a danger can occur in snowmelt flooding. Snowmelt flooding can overwhelm your property’s drainage systems and seep into your basement and crawlspace. The resulting influx of water can cause stress to your plumbing system and damage your home. Here at Efficiency Plumbing in Hanover, MA, we can help you protect your plumbing system and prevent expensive repairs and replacements.
Understanding Snowmelt Flooding Dangers
Snowmelt flooding occurs when melting snow creates more water than the ground, nearby waterways, and drainage systems can absorb. Snowmelt flooding can send vast amounts of water into your home with minimal warning, especially with rapid defrosting or accompanying rainfall. Sudden flooding can impact your plumbing system in many ways, creating pressure on pipes, sump pumps, and septic systems.
Potential Plumbing System Damage
Snowmelt flooding can damage many of your plumbing system’s components. You may only be aware of the damage once the water dissipates.
Cracked Plumbing Pipes
Rapidly melting snow can saturate the ground under and around your home. Sudden saturation can lead to soil shifting, which can damage your pipes that run underground. The movement places immense pressure on your pipes. These pipes can become cracked or damaged, especially if they are old. Your pipes may also become vulnerable during the shift because of scrapes against rocks in the soil. Compromised pipes allow water to seep into your home, potentially causing significant damage.
Messy and Damaging Sewer Backups
Snowmelt can overwhelm Hanover municipal sewer systems, increasing the risks of sewage backups in your home. Raw sewage can enter your home through drains and toilets. Not only do sewage backups cause immense messes, but they can also expose your family to bacteria and viruses. Even without raw sewage backups, you could experience foul odors from your drains. This is an emergency that should be addressed by a professional immediately.
Water Pressure Concerns
Snowmelt flooding can cause water pressure issues, especially if it damages pipes. This flooding puts pressure on all plumbing components, including pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
Basement and Crawlspace Flooding
A flooded basement or crawlspace is one of the most damaging risks of snowmelt flooding. Flooding can occur because of hydrostatic pressure. As snow melts around your home, it exerts pressure against your foundation walls.
Hydrostatic pressure can cause cracks in your foundation that allow water to seep or pour inside. Your home is at an increased risk of flooding if the ground has already become saturated from previous snowmelt or rain episodes.
Flooded basements present many dangers, including the following.
- Mold and mildew growth
- Electrical hazards
- Health hazards
- Appliance failure
- Structural damage
- Poor indoor air quality
- Treasured property destruction
If your basement floods, wait to enter until you have shut off the electricity. Water conducts electricity well, so even if the flooding is shallow, your life is in danger if you enter a flooded basement.
A flooded basement can cause corrosion in your plumbing components. Flood water can also damage the seals around your pipe joints, leading to leaks. Sediment, leaves, and debris trapped in your pipes may cause clogs.
Warning Signs of Plumbing Damage
Knowing the warning signs of plumbing problems related to snowmelt flooding is essential.
Slow Drains in Your Home
If snowmelt flooding has overwhelmed or partially blocked your plumbing system, water will drain slowly from your sinks, tubs, and toilets. Pay attention to slow drains, as the problem may worsen.
Strange Noises
Gurgling pipe sounds could mean you have an issue with trapped air. Trapped air in the lines may indicate a problem with fluctuating water pressure caused by snow melting.
Pooling Water Around the Foundation
Water pooling around your home’s foundation is a sure sign of potential plumbing damage. This sign means the ground is saturated and cannot absorb more water.
Sewer Smells From Drains
Sewer odors smell like rotten eggs because of the hydrogen sulfide in the gases. Foul odors from drains and toilets indicate a problem with your septic tank system or municipal lines.
Snowmelt flooding can also impact your septic tank by preventing proper wastewater drainage, potentially leading to raw sewage backups in your home.
Proactive Steps for Protecting Your Plumbing
Our plumbing team offers drain services, leak detection, and pipe repair for snowmelt flooding and other issues. We can ensure your plumbing system is intact to help you avoid increased risks of damage. Our team advises the following steps.
Check Your Gutter System
You should check your gutter system at least twice a year to ensure it’s free of debris or damage that could impact performance. The downspouts must be clear of leaves and other debris to direct water away from your home’s foundation as well. You can consider extending your downspout drainage by at least 6 feet from your home.
Check Your Sump Pump
An adequately maintained sump pump can save your basement from catastrophic damage caused by flooding. To ensure proper function and maintenance, test your sump pump several times a year and have it inspected by a professional. Consider a backup battery for your sump pump in case of power outages.
Check for Cracks and Gaps
Examine your foundation before winter to check for cracks or gaps that may allow water to flood your home. Fill the gaps and cracks with waterproof sealants. Consider a professional inspection to ensure you do not overlook any damage.
Elevate Your Plumbing Fixtures
Hanover has seen its share of flooding in the past. If your home sits in a FEMA-designated flood zone, you should consider elevating your plumbing fixtures in the basement. Water heaters, washing machines, and other fixtures can become damaged during snowmelt flooding. Elevating their installation point can offer extra protection against destructive floodwaters.
Maintain Your Drainage Systems
You should regularly check your yard’s drainage systems for any signs of damage or debris buildup. It’s imperative to ensure the drains are free-flowing and adequately graded to direct water away from your home. A damaged or clogged drainage system can spell disaster in snowmelt flooding.
Professional Plumber Interventions
There are many steps we can take to help you protect your home and plumbing system against damage caused by snowmelt flooding. We will inspect your property before offering recommendations.
Install Backwater Valves
Backwater valves are essential for preventing sewer backups. They allow wastewater to flow out of your home but do not allow it to flow back inside.
Install Pipe Insulation
Pipe insulation prevents frozen pipes and protects against thermal shock caused by rapid temperature changes during snowmelt. It can also help prevent cracks and other damage.
Install Flood-resistant Fixtures
Flood-resistant fixtures and appliances can significantly reduce the risks of damage with snowmelt flooding. One option includes sealed sump pumps. We can help you determine which upgrades will benefit your home.
Install a French Drain System
French drain systems benefit areas with poor drainage or significant annual snowfall. These drain systems collect water and move it away from your home’s foundation.
Stay Ahead of the Thaw
While you cannot always prevent snowmelt flooding, the proper measures can protect your plumbing system and home from damaging water. Efficiency Plumbing is a full-service plumbing services provider as well as the best heating and air company in Hanover. We offer installation, maintenance, and repairs for all plumbing and HVAC components.
If you want to protect your Hanover home from snowmelt flooding, call our knowledgeable and experienced plumbers at Efficiency Plumbing.
