This past summer has been one of the wettest on record, and a lot of Maryland residents experienced a lot of flooding. As many of you are familiar, flooding can have unprecedented impacts on your home, community, and overall regional infrastructure. However, once everything has dried, the problem is over, right? Tragically, when it comes to your plumbing, the trouble might just be getting started.
Debris Can Clog Your Pipes
As flood waters flow from one place to another, they bring everything they can pick up with them. Though you might not find an errant car clogging up your pipes, tiny debris like sand, bits of garbage, and broken glass can certainly pose an issue.
Flood waters are usually dirty and often carry debris with them as they flow from place to place. This debris, which might include sediment, dirt, bits of damaged items, etc., may flow right into your pipes and clog them up, which can lead to serious problems if left unaddressed.
Pressure and Overflow? Oh no!
Oh yes! Your home’s plumbing is meant to handle a lot more water than you push through it on a normal basis. However, flood waters can overwhelm the system when they occur in excess. If the water in your pipes overwhelms them, then the system may experience undue pressure, which can lead to overflow and even bursting.
This will prove disastrous for obvious reasons.
Signs that Your Plumbing May Need Service
After a flood, if you notice any of the following symptoms or signs, then you may need to give us a call.
Bad Smells – Unpleasant smells drifting out of your drains might indicate that sewage isn’t flowing to where it needs to go.
Sink Holes – If you notice a sink hole forming in your yard, the pipes beneath or around it could have burst and could be causing the ground to crumble from over-saturation.
Discoloration – Brown or oddly colored water can be a clear sign of broken pipes or piping corrosion.
Water Bill Spikes – When the bills go up, it’s time to take a look at what’s really going on with your pipes. There could be leaks or cracks in your pipes that could be driving up your bill. You should also listen out for whistling or bubbling noises that may accompany these issues.
Clogs that Won’t Quit – Continuous clogs that won’t go away can indicate issues with your pipes.
Worried About Flood Damage to Your Plumbing?
If you’re concerned about any of these issues affecting your plumbing, feel free to give us a call today. We’ll be happy to address your concerns and get your plumbing back to where it belongs.