How Do Drought Conditions Impact Your Plumbing?

Most homeowners have no idea that a drought can damage their plumbing system. But it’s true. Going for months with less-than-average rainfall puts added stress on plumbing systems, potentially leading to a range of issues that homeowners would rather not deal with.

Understanding the Effects of a Drought on Your Plumbing System

Understanding the impact a drought can have on your plumbing system helps you get a better idea of what needs to be done to protect it when temperatures rise and water dries up. 

During a drought, the absence of normal rainfall leads to reduced groundwater availability. This lack of moisture is what adversely affects your plumbing lines. When soil gets dry and compacted, it causes the ground to shift. This, in turn, causes anything in the ground to shift, too, including your plumbing lines. If your plumbing lines move too much, the pipes can’t handle the pressure, and they crack. They may even burst if the pressure is too great, leading to extensive damage to your plumbing system, foundation, or other areas of your property.

In addition to pipe damage, drought conditions can also impact the water quality in your house. As water levels decrease, the concentration of minerals and sediments increases. As these deposits build up, they clog the pipes, eventually impacting your water pressure or the taste of your drinking water. 

How to Know If a Drought Is Impacting Your Plumbing 

Part of being a homeowner is staying on top of maintenance issues and fixing problems before they get too big to handle easily. Here are a few signs that your home’s plumbing system may be impacted by drought conditions. 

Reduced water pressure. One of the most common signs that drought is affecting your plumbing system is reduced water pressure. If you notice a significant decrease in water pressure, it could be the result of blocked pipes caused by extremely dry conditions. 

Leaky or burst pipes. Another sign of drought damage is leaky or busted pipes. Most people think of these scenarios during the winter when temperatures plunge and water lines freeze. When you have a pipe burst or spring a leak in the summer, it’s typically caused by parched ground around the house.

Funny-colored water. Another sign that drought conditions are impacting your plumbing is discolored water. When water levels decrease during a drought, they leave a higher concentration of minerals and sediments in the water that’s left. These can cause the water to become discolored. If you notice rusty or brownish water coming out of your taps, it’s a sign that the drought may be impacting your plumbing lines.

How to Protect Your Plumbing During a Drought

Taking proactive steps to protect your plumbing lines during a drought is crucial. One of the most effective preventive measures is to ensure that your pipes are adequately insulated. Most homeowners know that insulating their pipes helps prevent them from freezing in the winter, but they may not know that insulation also helps protect pipes from cracking during summer droughts. 

You can also water your foundation. If water isn’t being rationed in your region of the country, watering your foundation will help reduce the chance of pipe damage. Even a little extra water around the perimeter of the house can help.

Call In the Professionals at Beemer Plumbing

One of the best ways to protect your plumbing system during a drought is to have your lines checked regularly by a licensed professional. At Beemer Plumbing, we’re happy to come out and do a thorough assessment of your plumbing system during drought conditions. We’ll let you know if there’s any damage that needs to be fixed right away, and we’ll help you come up with a strategy to help minimize any further damage due to the dry conditions. 

We’re also happy to repair leaks, replace damaged pipes, and clear out any blockages we find so you can rest easy knowing your plumbing system is functioning at peak levels.

If you’re worried about the impact of drought conditions on your plumbing system, give Beemer Plumbing today. We’ll get you on the schedule right away!