5 Ways Floodwater Can Affect Water Pipes and Water Quality at Home

Heavy rains often bring with it flooding, which in turn can cause various structural issues to your home. In particular, floodwater can weaken walls by seeping through cracks, create electrical hazards if it manages to reach frayed wirings and cause metal structures to rust. It can also weaken the structural integrity of your water pipes, which can then affect the water quality at your home. This is not only inconvenient but can also be dangerous.

For your better understanding, below is a list of ways in which floodwater affects your plumbing systems.

1. Contaminated Water Supply

Floodwater can pick up all sorts of contaminants such as dirt, sewage, and even toxic chemicals. When these come into contact with your water supply, they can easily contaminate your drinking water. Because the levels of contamination can vary and it may not be evident at first glance, people may end up accidentally drinking unsafe water and develop health issues.

If you’ve recently had flooding in your area, you may need to get your water tested first to ensure it’s safe to drink. Repiping may be needed to replace contaminated water pipes and ensure your water supply is clean and safe. This kind of project is best conducted by professionals. Get in touch with plumbers Dunedin residents trust to get the job done as soon as possible.

2. Corroded and Damaged Water Pipes

A strong surge of floodwater can exert pressure on your pipes, causing them to crack or burst. Likewise, the floodwater can carry corrosion-inducing substances. In both cases, you end up with water damage that may need immediate attention from a trusted emergency plumber. This is to avoid more damage to your property and prevent contamination of your entire plumbing system. 

3. Clogged Drain Systems

Drains are a crucial part of your plumbing system, and directing wastewater to a sewer system or septic tank for proper treatment prevents contamination of the clean water supply. During severe weather, however, floodwater brings with it debris, sediments, and other solid waste that can cause clogging in your drains. This can lead to water supply contamination or damaged pipes. While there are various DIY methods you can use to unclog your drains, in extreme cases, you may need the help of professional plumbers to have your drainage system unblocked.

4. Sewer Backup

When heavy rains occur, sewage systems tend to overflow due to the torrent of floodwaters entering the sewers. This can then make wastewater flow back up into your toilets or sink. As you can imagine, this can cause numerous health hazards—from contaminating your water supply to foul odours spreading in your home—as well as water damage if the wastewater starts overflowing to other parts of your house.

During such cases, it’s best to call for emergency plumbing services to get your sewer lines fixed right away. You may also inquire about having a backwater valve installed in your home, which helps prevent backups and keeps wastewater away.

5. Soil Compaction

Because of heavy rain and floodwater, the soil surrounding your home can end up absorbing too much moisture and cause it to be heavier and more compact than usual. This additional pressure can end up cracking your pipes, which would require immediate repair or replacement. Your pipes can also be damaged if the floodwater starts seeping through foundation cracks, disrupting the positioning of the soil and causing too much stress on your pipes.

Protect Your Home Plumbing from Floods

The simplest and most effective remedy to the issues mentioned above would be to call your local plumber. However, there are also steps you can take to lessen the possibility of these plumbing issues from cropping up during the rainy season. The first is to have your plumbing system inspected regularly. Even if there’s seemingly nothing wrong with it, you’ll never actually know if your pipes are showing signs of deterioration or if there’s a blockage building up in your drainage system already if you don’t check them. A plumber can identify problems early on and have them fixed right away instead of letting it get worse.

If you live in an area where floods frequently occur, consider taking precautionary measures such as patching up cracks in your foundation or installing sump pumps to efficiently remove water from your premises and prevent water damage.

Whether you need help in fixing your plumbing system that has been damaged by flooding or want assistance in flood-proofing your home, you can rely on Mains Plumbers. We offer a wide range of plumbing services such as emergency plumbing, gas fitting, as well as industrial and commercial drain laying. With our expertise and commitment to delivering excellent service, we’ll make sure that any home plumbing issues you’ve got will be fixed in a timely manner. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for your plumbing needs.