Before the season
- Find the main shutoff and check it actually turns, because a storm is the wrong time to find out
- Test any sump or drainage pump by filling the pit, not by looking at it
- Clear roof drains, scuppers and anything that carries water away from the house
- Look at where the ground slopes near the foundation and near any cleanout
- Check that cleanout caps are in place and not cracked
During a storm
- Go easy on water use if drains are already slow, because a strained line is worse under load
- If a drain backs up during heavy rain, stop putting water into it and wait rather than pouring anything in
- After a power outage, check any pump before assuming it restarted
- Keep an eye on the lowest drain in the house, which is where a main line problem shows first
After a storm
- Look for standing water near the foundation or above the sewer line run
- Check that the ground has not washed away from around a cleanout or a hose bib
- Run each drain and listen for gurgling that was not there before
- Check the water heater pan and the area around the softener for anything that got in
The one that trips people up
Dust. A storm pushes fine dust into everything, including the burner compartment of a gas water heater and the air intake on some equipment. A heater that starts behaving differently right after a big blow is worth looking at rather than ignoring.
The second one is ground movement. Valley soils that have been dry for months take a sudden soaking and move, and a buried line that was already marginal is the thing that notices.
Answers
Why does my drain back up only when it rains hard?
Heavy rain can get into a system through cleanouts, cracked caps or faults in a buried line, and a line that is already restricted cannot take the extra. It usually means there is something worth finding on that line.
Should I have a sump pump in the Valley?
Most Valley homes do not, but some lots and some basements need one. If you already have one, testing it before the season is the whole job.
Does monsoon affect the water heater?
Indirectly. Dust in a burner compartment and a power outage on an electric unit are the two most likely after a big storm.
If you need this done
- Sump pumpsInstall and repair, so a monsoon storm doesn't become water in the house.
- Sewer line repairBackups, several slow drains at once, or foul odors: clogs, root intrusion and damaged or collapsed lines, repaired or replaced.
- Drain cleaningSinks, tubs, showers and main lines cleared to the root of the blockage instead of pushed further down the line.
- Where we workEvery town and ZIP across the Valley we cover.
In-home estimate
Rather have someone look at it? Tell us what's going on
We come out, look at the problem and explain what it needs before any work starts. For something urgent, calling is fastest.
Rather talk? Call or text (602) 833-4133.