Common Spring Plumbing Problems

As we look outside at the grey skies and rainy Vancouver weather, it is hard to imagine the warm, sunny weather of spring and summer. But soon enough, we will be emerging from winter hibernation.

It is usually around this time that we start looking at our homes and realize that there are a few maintenance issues that have appeared over the winter. In this blog post, we will be covering common spring plumbing problems, what you can do to fix them, and how the professionals at Universal Plumbing and Heating can help!

Common Spring Plumbing Problems:

• Spring flooding
• Cracked water pipes
• Cracks, gaps, breaks, and leaks
• Corroded pipes

Here are some common spring plumbing problems:

Spring Flooding

While cracked pipes and clogged drains can be annoying to deal with, having a flood in your home is a nightmare. As the weather warms up, the snow melts and the rainy season in Vancouver commences. This high volume of displaced water can end up in places like your basement or crawl space. Here are some common signs of a wet basement or crawlspace.

Cracked Water Pipes

When the water in your pipes freezes over the winter, it expands and becomes ice. This pressure can cause cracks or even a full-out pipe burst. You can take preventative measures to ensure your pipes don’t burst by insulating them or turning off the water during very cold days. Nevertheless, you may find some cracks in your piping come spring time.

Cracks, Gaps, Breaks, and Leaks

With summer on the way, spring is a good time to inspect your outdoor faucets. Get them fixed now to prepare for gardening use in the summer.

Corroded Pipes

Copper pipes become corroded when the oxidized copper begins leaving blue stains on your bathroom fixtures. Hire a professional plumber to fix or replace the pipes to stop the rot and prevent water damage.

Here are a few ways to be proactive and prevent spring flooding:

• Extend your gutter system so that water is draining 2 metres away from your home’s foundation
• Perform regular maintenance on your gutters so that they are clear of debris such as ice, snow and leaves
• Clear the drainage grates by your house so rain water and melting snow can flow freely into them

A professional plumber from Universal Plumbing and Heating can do a thorough inspection of your plumbing and foundation to ensure that your drainage system is working effectively and no water is seeping into your basement or crawlspace.

 

These are just some of the common spring plumbing problems you may face during the thawing months in Vancouver. While some situations can be avoided with maintenance and the proper precautions, we know first hand that emergency situations can happen. Contact Universal Plumbing and Heating right away for all of your spring plumbing problems.