What Spring Thawing Means For Your Plumbing
For Red Oakans, spring is a long-awaited relief from what feels like another never-ending ice age. Now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s time to find out what kind of legacy Jack Frost left behind.
If the year boasted a particularly bitter winter season, your plumbing may be a little worse for wear after the spring thaw brings on the warmer months. Call an expert to ensure the wellbeing of your pipes, and let your worries melt away with the snow!
Drainage Issues
As residents of Red Oak know, ice does not simply melt overnight! Therefore, before the thawing process is complete, it is possible for any rainfall to be diverted by the remaining ice rather than to seep into the ground itself. If your home is located at the bottom of a slight decline, this diverted rainwater can run right into your basement.
The runoff from rainfall can cause major flooding in your home and lead to costly repairs even before spring has sprung! If you fear this will become a problem in your home, consider investing in a sump pumpdrainage system to stop basement flooding before it starts. A sump basin accumulates any water that may enter your basement, while the pump simultaneously drains it back outdoors. After all, the only place you should be knee-deep in water during the summer is at the beach!
H3: Malfunctioning Septic Units
Because septic waste systems work based on the absorption and evaporation of groundwater, melting snow and frequent rain threaten to significantly elevate the water table. During the thawing season, it is easy to cause a septic overflow as we constantly add to this already high water table by showering, running the dishwasher, flushing to toilet and using the washing machine.
Once the septic system has reached its capacity to hold any more liquid, it must be drained; or else it may overflow and cause a multitude of plumbing problems. To avoid this catastrophe, make sure you are monitoring your water usage during the thaw, so as not to increase the water table even more drastically than it has naturally. Additionally, instead of reacting to an already-existing issue, anticipate when your septic tank may be at risk of becoming overburdened, and plan a routine pump out in the warmer months to rid your septic unit of bacteria, and any excess water it may have accumulated.
You can further prevent a septic overflow by preventing any more water from entering the system than necessary. Be sure to shovel snow away from your tank, and monitor your gutter and sump pump drainage. If you follow these tips, you should be en route to a dry and fun-filled spring!
Here at Combat we have been providing top-quality service to our loyal customers since 1993, and would be happy to help you with all of your plumbing needs. Give us a call today at (773)-724-9272 to schedule service. Let us assist you with all of your plumbing needs, and make your family part of ours!
