View Specials
Spring is the season of blooming flowers and vibrant landscapes coming back to life after the dormant months of winter. Unfortunately, this is also a season of heavy showers. Rain is crucial for plants to grow, but it can also present risks to your home’s outdoor plumbing fixtures. This includes irrigation systems, drainage setups, and hose bibs.
If these fixtures don’t have proper protection, temperature fluctuations and excess moisture can hurt their efficiency, result in damage, and cost you a substantial amount of money for repairs. It’s important to make sure your plumbing stays in great condition throughout the spring.
Use this guide to learn how you can safeguard your outdoor fixtures against the impact of spring showers.
Look for Existing Damage
Before you start taking preventative measures yourself or schedule professional services, do a detailed inspection of your home’s outdoor plumbing system. Look for signs of loose connections, leaks, cracks, and rust. Damaged fixtures can experience further damage from long-term exposure to the elements, including heavy rainfall. This makes early detection essential so you can identify all potential problems and address the most obvious issues first.
Examine your hose bibs for leaks or drips, even when they’re turned off. Make sure that all your irrigation components, including connectors and sprinkler heads, are working properly. Check for visible corrosion or cracks on exposed pipes and outdoor faucets. The best time to prevent complications is before the rainy season gets truly underway.
Secure and Elevate Hose Connections
Hoses that are left on the ground might get submerged under water, and this can result in deterioration, mold growth, and potential contamination. You can avoid this by taking several steps.
First, use wall-mounted reels to keep your hoses elevated. This setup also provides the benefit of everything remaining tangle-free. Improve the stability of your hose connections by installing quick-connect fittings. Disconnect hoses that aren’t in use and store them indoors to extend their lifespan. Keeping hoses and their attachments off the ground reduces the chances of water damage and helps your plumbing components last longer.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Spring weather can be a warm relief after winter’s short, cold days. However, it can also be highly unpredictable. Even after a warm day, temperatures can still drop suddenly. Insulating your outdoor pipes can regulate temperatures in these fixtures and minimize the chances of rapid changes resulting in pipes cracking.
Foam pipe insulation can form a protective barrier on exposed pipes and is a professional service worth considering. Get insulated covers to wrap your outdoor faucets anytime the weather forecast predicts fluctuating temperatures, and put plastic sheeting or waterproof tape on areas susceptible to excessive rain exposure.
Maintain Appropriate Drainage
Maintain proper drainage everywhere you can, but especially around outdoor plumbing fixtures. Poor drainage is a huge risk when it comes to spring showers, and you don’t want water pooling around any of your plumbing fixtures. When there’s standing water, there’s a risk of flooding, foundation weakening, and metal components getting corroded.
Start preventing this by ensuring downspouts and gutters are directing water away from your plumbing installations. A French drain system can divert your property’s excess rainwater away safely. Permeable pavers or gravel around your outdoor fixtures can promote proper drainage. Proper drainage management keeps plumbing fixtures in good working condition and dry.
Make a Habit of Inspecting and Clearing Outdoor Drains
Outdoor drains are essential for directing excess water away from your home so it won’t damage your plumbing infrastructure. However, spring rain can clog these drains with debris, dirt, and leaves.
Check your drainage grates regularly to remove accumulated materials. Prevent blockages by flushing them with water and a mild cleaning solution. Drain covers can minimize debris buildup when heavy storm activity passes overhead. Keeping your drains clear maintains efficient water flow and helps prevent repair costs from water damage.
Confirm Proper Sprinkler Functionality
Spring can mean rain showers, but you might be among the many homeowners who count on sprinkler systems to keep your lawn healthy when you go through a dry spell. While helpful, these systems can be vulnerable to rain-caused issues. If there’s heavy rainfall, it might result in leaks, overwatering, and misaligned sprinkler heads.
Adjust your rain sensors and timers to prevent needless watering. Inspect the sprinkler heads for warning signs of misalignment and clogging. Repair system leaks to avoid excessive water waste. Ensuring a properly functioning irrigation system prevents water waste and maintains a healthy lawn.
Protect Backflow Preventers and Sump Pumps
Not every property has a backflow preventer or sump pump, but you need to pay special attention to these items if your home does feature them. Excessive rainfall can easily overwhelm these devices, resulting in contaminated water or flooding. Make sure that your sump pump discharge lines are clear of obstructions, and test the pump to make sure it properly activates when there is rising water.
A protective cover on your backflow preventer can keep it shielded from exposure to rain and moisture. Routinely maintaining these fixtures can prevent water damage and spare your home needless plumbing failures.
Utilize Sealant Reinforcements
Waterproof sealants applied to exposed plumbing areas can substantially improve their protection from rain and potential moisture infiltration. Weatherproof caulk or silicone around pipe connections and joints is a good place to start. If you want to extend the durability of metal fixtures, follow that up with rust-resistant coatings. Sealants should be inspected and reapplied annually to maintain their effectiveness over time. Identifying and sealing vulnerable areas minimizes water penetration and prevents leaks from developing.
Schedule Professional Maintenance Regularly
There are many small steps you can take on your own to start preventing spring shower damage to your outdoor plumbing fixtures and components. Professional inspections ensure everything stays in great condition. A licensed plumber from our team can assist with detecting outdoor plumbing weaknesses and hidden leaks.
We can make recommendations about weatherproofing solutions and perform a full-system checkup prior to the rainy season and then again after it’s over. You might also need other professional assistance. This includes landscapers and roofers for property modifications that result in better drainage away from your home.
Protect Your Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures
Spring showers can make beautiful flowers bloom and help crops start growing, but the seasonal rain can also contribute to a lot of wear and tear on your home’s outdoor plumbing fixtures. However, proactive measures can prevent damage and help you extend the longevity of your system.
Proper drainage management, professional maintenance, regular inspections, and insulation are all things that can contribute to protecting the great condition of your outdoor plumbing fixtures throughout the spring. Follow these tips to enjoy this gorgeous season without stressing about costly repairs and surprise plumbing failures. Take the necessary actions to safeguard your home’s outdoor plumbing so your rainy season is hassle-free.
On Time Experts offers plumbing services to residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, area and surrounding communities. These include slab leaks, sewer pipe repair and replacement, and sump pumps. Contact On Time Experts for all your home’s outdoor plumbing needs.
