Understanding the Impact of Heavy Rain on Sewer Systems

Understanding the Impact of Heavy Rain on Sewer Systems

Storm season can be a win for homeowners looking for relief from droughts and the hot Texas sun, but intense rains can quickly overwhelm residential sewer systems. Proper sewer system maintenance in Tyler, TX can help prevent sewer backup during heavy rains and costly property damage.

The team at The Mink Plumbing is always here with the Tyler, TX drain and sewer maintenance, repairs, and emergency services you need to get your systems back on track. We also have some pro tips to understand the impact of heavy rains on your sewer systems and the proactive steps to keep your property safe during storm season.

So read on to learn more and feel free to reach out to our expert plumbers in Tyler, TX with questions or if you’re ready to schedule service!

1. Regular Gutters and Downspout Maintenance

Regularly cleaning out your gutters and maintaining your downspouts can help avoid issues with heavy rains and sewer issues.

Cleaning Gutters

Gutters are crucial in directing heavy rains away from your home and property. During storm season, they can quickly become clogged with leaves, dirt, debris, twigs, and junk. Once they overflow, all of this buildup can quickly seep into the ground around your foundation and contribute to your sewer line backups. You can prevent the issue by getting on top of gutter cleaning. Here are some proactive steps to take:

• Clean out your gutters at least twice a year or more frequently around the rainy season.
• Remove any buildup of leaves, twigs, and debris that obstructs the flow of water.
• Ask the team at The Mink Plumbing about installing gutter guards. We can help minimize the buildup and reduce your maintenance.

Inspecting and Extending Downspouts

Downspouts are an integral part of your gutter system and are designed to channel rainwater away from your home’s foundation. When they’re blocked or positioned close to your home, they can infiltrate sewer lines and cause problems. You can make a few small tweaks to optimize the use of your downspouts by:

• Inspecting your downspouts for blockages and clear out any obstructions.
• Making sure your downspouts extend at least 10 feet or more from your home. You can use extensions or splash blocks as needed.
• Redirecting rainwater toward a proper drainage area to minimize the saturation around your foundation.

2. Inspecting and Maintaining Sewer Cleanouts

It’s important to periodically inspect and maintain your sewer line and cleanouts.

Locating Sewer Cleanouts

Did you know that every home has a sewer cleanout? You can usually find yours near your house in the yard. It’s a good idea to find the access point before the next storm season for quick and efficient maintenance. If you’re not sure where it is, ask us the next time we’re out for a professional sewer cleaning in Tyler, TX and we’ll show you.

Keep Everything Accessible

Remove any obstructions or buildup from around your sewer cleanout. Otherwise, you could delay emergency service in case of a backup. Clearing it out should include removing landscaping, debris, or structures.

Regular Inspections

Regular inspections are key to looking for signs of blockages, damage, or slow drainage issues. If you notice any issues, call our best plumbers for an inspection and cleaning. We’ll help avoid any potential backups during heavy rains, clear out blockages, and keep everything working its best.

3. Assessing Sewer Lines for Tree Root Intrusion

Tree roots in your sewer lines can cause costly damage to your plumbing system. Here’s what to know about the risks involved.

Understanding the Risk

Tree roots naturally seek moisture and sewer lines are a prime target. During heavy rainfall, the excessive water can push root blockages further into the pipes and lead to backups and a clogged sewer line.

Signs of a Tree Root Intrusion

Don’t wait until you have sewage backup and other catastrophic plumbing issues going on in your home. Here are the warning signs to look out for in your home:

• Slow or gurgling drains
• Unpleasant odors from drains
• Areas of the lawn that are unusually lush or damp

How to Prevent Tree Roots in Your Sewer Lines

Don’t wait until disaster strikes and you need sewer repair or replacement in Tyler, TX. Get on top of the problem before it starts with these proactive steps to avoid root intrusion in your sewer lines:

• Schedule our non-invasive sewer camera inspections to look for tree root growth in your sewer lines.
• Installing root barriers can help prevent tree roots from making their way into your sewer lines.
• Relocate any trees or shrubs planted too close to underground pipes. If you must plant, only plant trees and shrubs with shallow root systems and as far away from your pipes as possible.

4. Installing Backflow Prevention Devices

Backflow prevention devices aren’t just nice to have; they’re usually required by local ordinances. Here’s what you should know about how they work and why you need them for your property:

Purpose of Backflow Preventers

Backflow prevention device installation in Tyler, TX is an absolute must. Without them, you could end up with sewage flowing back into your home when the sewer system becomes overloaded. It’s especially critical during storm season when heavy rainfalls and municipal sewer systems experience excessive overflow of water and waste. It’s not worth the risk!

Types of Devices

There are a few types of common residential backflow prevention devices, including:

• Sewer backflow valves
• Check valves
• Gate valves

Professional Backflow Installation and Maintenance

Backflow device installation isn’t a DIY job and needs to be handled by a professional:

• Hire one of our licensed plumbers to handle everything for you for a stress-free experience that follows local regulations.
• Schedule annual inspections to verify your backflow device is working correctly.
• You may need periodic maintenance to avoid failures during those heavy rains and storm season.

5. Enhancing Property Drainage

Now that you have an idea of handling some of your sewer line and preventing backup into your home, let’s talk about proper drainage and landscaping.

Landscaping Adjustments

The team at The Mink Plumbing recommends proper yard grading to help prevent rainwater from collecting and pooling near your home’s foundation. Otherwise, you could end up with flooding inside of your home that could lead to mold and mildew. Here are some key strategies to consider:

• Slope your yard away from the house to direct rainwater runoff.
• Plant water-absorbent vegetation that can help soak up excess moisture.

Installing French Drains or Swales

French drains and swales offer top-notch drainage solutions for heavy rain in Tyler. They work to redirect the excess flood and rainwater away from your property to keep your home safe. They work to collect and channel the rainwater to designated drainage areas while reducing the burden on sewer systems. When heavy rains strike, you can rest easy knowing your property is safe.

6. Regular Professional Plumbing Inspections

Just like your car or appliances need routine inspections and maintenance, your plumbing also needs some attention and care.

Schedule Routine Plumbing Check-Ups

Give the Tyler plumbers at The Mink Plumbing a call for annual inspections. We’ll help identify any issues before they escalate to:

• Diagnose hidden clogs, leaks, or damage that’s growing in your sewer lines. The sooner you detect the problem, the faster you can resolve it before it turns into costly damage.
• Make sure your backflow prevention devices and cleanouts are working the way they should and are free of obstructions.
• Help homeowners get ready for storm season with proactive maintenance and care.

Benefits of Preventative Maintenance

Routine plumbing inspections in Tyler, TX save time, stress, and resources. You could save hundreds to thousands of dollars and protect yourself from the health hazards associated with sewer backups. Addressing those small issues as early as possible reduces the risk of major plumbing emergencies during heavy rains and storms.

7. Understanding the City of Tyler’s Stormwater Management Initiatives

Did you know the City of Tyler manages stormwater runoff to reduce flooding risks? Homeowners can visit cityoftyler.org to learn about stormwater programs and best practices for managing drainage around their property. You can also report any issues with sewer backups to the Tyler Water Utilities’ Water Service Center for assistance.

Sewer Backup Preventative Measures Checklist

We covered everything you need to prepare your sewer system from storms and heavy rains in Tyler, TX, including:

• Cleaning out gutters before a storm Maintain clean gutters and downspouts.
• Keeping your sewer cleanouts accessible and clear in case of an emergency
• Inspecting sewer lines for tree root intrusions to avoid backups.
• Installing backflow prevention devices
• Improving property drainage with landscaping adjustments and French drains
• Scheduling regular professional plumbing inspections
• Staying in the know about Tyler’s stormwater management programs

Call The Mink Plumbing for Sewer system Maintenance Tyler TX

If you need sewer system maintenance, contact The Mink Plumbing today to schedule an inspection or service. We offer sewer line inspections in Tyler, TX, repairs, emergency care, and so much more.

Give us a call and we’ll come out as soon as possible to figure out what’s going on and get you the expert solutions you need to protect your property against heavy rainfall and sewer-related issues. Schedule your appointment today!