Your plumbing system is an important part of your home. While the fall foliage in Massachusetts is stunning, leaves, twigs, and other debris can cause problems for your system. This is especially true when wet leaves stick together, forming thick clumps that block drains and pipes. Knowing how to protect your plumbing from fallen autumn debris helps you avoid costly repairs and replacements.
How Does Fall Debris Get Into an Indoor Plumbing System?
Fall debris, like leaves and twigs, can easily enter your plumbing system. For example, wind can blow it into garage drains, and rain can wash it into sump pump basins. You might also bring the fall debris in yourself, such as by washing your muddy boots in the tub. Maybe you clean your gear in the sink. Other than water, very few other items, including fall debris, should go down your drains. Fall debris can cause clogs and backups if it continues to build up in your system.
Tips for Proper Protection
Taking the right steps now helps prevent frustrating, expensive problems later. Following certain tips this fall can keep your system in good shape throughout the season.
Protect Your Shower and Tub
If you have a shower/tub combo or a standalone tub, use a drain strainer. They help trap human hair, conditioner blobs, and other debris you don’t want to go down your drains. Walk-in showers usually come with basic shower drain covers that don’t catch much. Consider replacing the cover with a more effective strainer or using disposable fine mesh drain catchers that cover the drain.
Be Mindful of What Goes in the Garbage Disposal
Some homeowners put almost anything in the garbage disposal. It even includes leaves and twigs stuck to fruits and vegetables from the garden. This debris can easily cause clogs or make existing ones worse. To protect your plumbing, use the garbage disposal only for minimal amounts of soft foods, such as fruit peels. Avoid putting anything hard or fibrous into the disposal.
Wash Off Boots at the Door
Fall activities like hiking often leave your boots caked with mud, leaves, and other autumn debris. Instead of bringing your boots inside to wash them in the tub or shower, clean them off outside. This keeps the fall debris from clogging your plumbing system. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about tracking in any bugs that are attached to your boots.
Get a Professional Plumbing Inspection
Calling DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for a plumbing inspection helps you understand the current condition of your system. If fall debris makes its way into your drains, it can cause more trouble when there are already existing clogs. Our experienced plumbers assess your system to check for leaks, clogs, and other damage. After the inspection, we’ll inform you of our findings. We’ll also make recommendations to help keep your plumbing system in top shape. If we determine you need any plumbing repairs, it’s best to handle them now before they worsen.
Get a Drain Cleaning
If your plumbing system has a partial clog, even the smallest pieces of debris can make it worse. Scheduling a professional drain cleaning helps clear out existing blockages in your system. It also eliminates built-up residue and sludge stuck to the interior walls of your pipes. This service is great to do right before the holidays when plumbing systems generally see heavier use due to entertaining.
We typically complete the drain cleaning within two hours. It can provide long-lasting protection against slow drains, clogs, and backups.
Keep Checking Your Sump Pump
Your sump pump plays a crucial role in keeping your basement free from water. However, heavy rain or melted snow can overwhelm it, and it may not work properly. Fall debris, like leaves that enter the sump pump basin, can clog the system and cause it to malfunction. It’s important to check your sump pump regularly, especially after a severe storm, to make sure it works properly. If you notice signs of problems, such as strange noises or water backing up, call us immediately for an appointment. We can inspect your system for leaf clogs or other damage and fix the problem before it gets worse.
Check the Sewer Cleanout Cap
Many Massachusetts homes have a sewer cleanout cap in their yards. This cap allows plumbers to easily access the sewer line for maintenance, inspections, and repairs. It also keeps out debris, chemicals, and pests like mice. Additionally, it prevents unpleasant sewer line odors from wafting through the neighborhood.
There are numerous ways the cleanout cap can get damaged, such as if it gets run over by a car or lawnmower. If the damage is severe enough to cause holes or cracks, leaves and other fall debris could enter the sewer line. This can lead to blockages, property damage, and other serious issues. If you see any damage, call immediately for a repair.
Keep Debris Out of Your Garage
Garage floor drains help prevent rainwater and melting snow from flooding your garage. However, twigs, leaves, and other fall debris can clog these drains, keeping them from working properly. Leaving the garage door open often lets debris blow inside and reach the drain. To protect your plumbing, it’s important to continuously sweep the area in your garage and in front of it. It’s also a good idea to keep your garage door closed on windy days or when you’re leaf-blowing in your yard. Additionally, make sure your drain has a high-quality cover that can prevent large debris from getting in.
Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
Your gutters aren’t part of your indoor plumbing system. However, their condition can have an impact on it. Gutters and downspouts direct rainwater and melting snow away from your home, especially from the foundation. This is critical for helping your sump pump to function properly. When too much water flows into the sump pump basin, it can overwhelm it and cause your basement to flood. This could lead to many issues, such as foundation cracks, damage to your belongings, and mold.
One option for preventing problems is to clean out your gutters and downspouts regularly. This is especially important if you have mature trees that release many leaves onto your property. Although you could do this task yourself, hiring a professional is the safest and most effective option. Installing gutter guards is another possibility. They prevent leaves and other fall debris from clogging your gutters in the first place.
Always inspect your gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Additionally, check them to make sure they don’t have any cracks, dents, or other types of damage. Assessing their condition is particularly important after a strong storm or high winds. If you find issues, you may need to repair or replace them quickly to keep the drainage system working properly.
Don’t let fall debris damage your plumbing system. DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in West Boylston, Falmouth, and South Yarmouth, MA, provides inspections and drain cleanings to protect your plumbing. Call us today to schedule an appointment or book online.
