The spring thaw can pose numerous challenges for your plumbing or expose hidden issues that occurred over the winter. Leaks, flooding and sewer backups are some of the things you may encounter. By taking the time to inspect pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances, you can avoid major problems that could cause costly damage and repairs. We’ll explore the various ways that spring thaw can affect your plumbing, and what issues you should watch out for.
How Can Spring Thaw Impact a Home’s Plumbing?
Pipes are vulnerable to damage during winter, primarily as a result of the cold weather, potentially causing the water inside them to freeze. Water expands when it freezes. This expansion puts additional pressure on pipes, which can lead to cracking or bursting. This is especially common with outdoor hose bibs.
The combination of snowmelt and frozen soil thawing leads to additional ground moisture that can put extra pressure on underground pipes and damage them. Water can also seep through the foundation, causing extensive and costly flooding in the basement or crawl space.
Your water heater has to work overtime during the winter to compensate for the cold. The increased workload can lead to issues that reduce a water heater’s efficiency or cause it to fail.
These are the primary plumbing problems you need to think about during the spring thaw:
- Cracks and weak joints from pipes freezing
- Sewer line damage from soil settling and shifting
- Basement or crawl space flooding from a failed sump pump
- Leaky or failed water heater
Test the Shutoff Valve
The last thing you want to happen is for a cracked pipe to start leaking, only to realize that you can’t shut the water off. That’s why one of the first things you should do when performing a spring plumbing inspection is test the shutoff valve on your main water line. The valve is located in the basement or crawl space, right where the main water line enters through the foundation.
You need to make sure the valve closes all the way, then test that your water is fully off. If the valve appears stuck, you can try loosening it by spraying it with lubricant. Make sure not to use too much force when trying to turn the handle or knob, or you could break the water line and cause a major flood. If lubricating the valve doesn’t allow it to move, you should call a plumber to have them repair or replace it. We recommend doing this immediately to ensure you’re prepared to shut off your water in an emergency.
Inspect Exposed Pipes
Exposed pipes in a basement, crawl space or attic have a higher risk of freezing during winter. You’ll know fairly quickly if a frozen pipe breaks or bursts, as this will result in a major leak as soon as the pipe thaws. Minor damage, such as a hairline crack or a weakened pipe fitting, may result in a small leak that isn’t always apparent. The concern is that pressure inside the pipe can cause a minor leak to escalate. This is why you should check for visible damage, drips, and wet pipes. If you notice any problems, shut off your water in case the damage worsens, and then call a plumber to repair the pipe.
Check the Outdoor Plumbing for Leaks
Shutting off the water to your hose bibs and any other outdoor fixtures is an essential part of winterizing your plumbing. If you don’t shut off the water and drain your outdoor fixtures, there’s a huge risk of that they will freeze, crack or break over the winter.
When turning the water back on to each outdoor fixture, we recommend opening the shutoff valve on the pipe that connects to the fixture only partway. That way, less water will leak if the hose bib cracks. It’s also a good idea to have another person check outside to see if the bib or fixture is leaking, so you can immediately close the valve from inside if there’s a leak.
Watch for Signs of Sewer Problems
Sewer line damage from saturated soil shifting and settling is a serious concern. Older cast-iron sewer lines can be especially vulnerable, but even newer PVC or ABS pipes can fail. A damaged sewer line can cause sewage to seep into the foundation. It will also typically begin backing up, causing sewage to back up into some of the drains inside the house.
Call a plumber to inspect your sewer line if you notice any of these signs:
- Slow or gurgling drains and toilets
- Bubbles rising up in toilet
- Multiple clogged drains
- Sewage smells inside or outside the house
- A pool of standing water above the sewer line
Test the Sump Pump and Inspect the Discharge Pipe
Snowmelt and spring rains have the potential to cause major flooding if your sump pump isn’t working properly. That’s why it’s crucial to test the pump before the spring thaw to ensure it continues to run and quickly pumps water from the sump pit. To test the pump, pour a bucket of water into the pit or partially fill it with a hose. The pump should start running almost immediately, and it shouldn’t take more than 20 to 30 seconds to empty the pit. It’s also important to check outside to make sure that the discharge pipe isn’t frozen or clogged with debris, so the water will drain away from your house whenever the pump runs.
Monitor the Water Heater for Leaks and Performance Issues
Finding that you suddenly don’t have hot water is never fun. Even worse, if your water heater starts leaking, it can burst and cause significant flooding. Water heater problems are most common during winter and early spring. By monitoring for signs of a problem, you can avoid major headaches or costly water damage.
You need to have a plumber service, repair, or replace your water heater if you find:
- Water leaking out of the tank or pooling on the floor underneath it
- Visible rust on the tank
- Knocking or banging sounds
- Water not getting fully hot
- The water heater running much more than usual
At DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, our family-owned and -operated company has been providing reliable plumbing solutions to homeowners in Central Massachusetts for over 90 years. We serve West Boylston, Falmouth, Yarmouth, and the surrounding areas, and you can trust us to meet any of your needs reliably. From leak detection and repair to drain, sewer, and water heater services, we have solutions for any plumbing problem.
To schedule a service call or an inspection, contact our team at DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
