Has Spring Sprung You a Leak?

While each season brings new and exciting things, what is often forgotten by property owners and managers is how a new season can affect the pipes in and around their buildings.

Here are ways that seasonal weather changes can create potential leaks.

Spring Growth: When the snow melts or spring showers begin, a burst of spring growth may find tree roots interfering with or invading underground pipes. The roots will grow within the pipes, causing backups and further damage to the pipes.

Precipitation and Pressure: Pipes get a workout during the summer, with sprinklers, garden hoses, and extra showers placing stress on the water delivery system. Higher demand for water stresses pipes, making them more susceptible to problems. During times of drought, dry soil may shrink and settle. When the drought ends and heavy rain replaces the hot sun, the rain saturates the soil, increasing soil pressure on buried pipes. This pressure can cause pipes to shift, crack or even break.

Temperature: Water expands when it freezes, but pipes expand when they’re hot. Even if the temperature change of a new season is gradual, underground pipes that cycle through cold and heat can develop cracks. Soil and debris can leach into the cracks, causing backups and clogs.

Wind: Although most property plumbing systems have pipes underground and within walls, high winds from seasonal storms can still affect plumbing. Windy storms can knock trees over and uproot them, which could disturb or even break pipes that run close to those root systems. High winds rattle walls and can shake sediment up inside pipes, affecting drainage and pressure.

If you would like some peace of mind in knowing if you have a leak, ask us about our smart water metering solution today.

Want proof we find leaks? See how many leaks we have found for our customers this year in our Leak Files.