Winter Storms and Your Household Plumbing

The storm season is upon us and it’s not only the residents of the South West that can get a little overwhelmed with the excessive water and deluge that big thunderstorms can bring. You may think your indoor plumbing is safely hidden away behind the walls of your home when heavy rains hit, but the outdoor drainage system can cop a beating; effectively building up with water and back washing into the household pipes.

Whilst usually a rare occurrence, it pays to have your drains, plumbing pipes and sewage/septics inspected and maintained by a professional to avoid messy, and costly, problems inside due to the weather outside.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas always go the extra mile when it comes to their customers throughout the South West.  As the premier local choice for all things plumbing, gas and hot water, their qualified tradesmen are available 24/7, with no emergency call out fees, and their years of experience means you get an expert who has seen it all, everytime.

It’s important to check your drainage system during winter storms, including:

• ORG’s (Overflow Relief Gully’s)
• Underground Pipes
• Internal Backwash

ORGS’s

The outdoor wells that pop up outside wet areas of your home are notorious for attracting sand, rock, leaf and children’s toy build-up that clogs the relief gully and leads to pipe blockage. These blockages can be huge and extend for a length of pipe or just the bit that you can see when you peer into the ORG. These need to be clear to allow for water pressure to be released and excess water to drain away.

Underground Pipes

Not as easy to inspect as ORG’s or internal plumbing, underground pipes will experience a huge amount of increased pressure due to the weight of the heavy (now wet) soil around them. When the rain dries up, keep an eye out for signs of a broken or leaking pipe, as these are quite common after heavy rains not only leave the ground heavy, but can also shift pipes around when the water softens the soil.

Internal Backwash

If your sinks, tubs, showers and toilets aren’t draining properly after, or during, a heavy storm, chances are there is a build-up of sediment, or water, in the pipe. Water can be entering your pipes through the drains outside and is the volume of water falling is exceeding that which is pushing out, you’ll end up with an overload.

Who Can Assist Me With Making Sure My Pipes Are Storm Ready?

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the local’s choice to make sure your plumbing is storm ready. For everything from emergencies to simple routine inspections, the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas will ensure your job is completed efficiently, affordably and professionally every time. Call 9791 1608 (Bunbury) and 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) today.