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THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT ON PLUMBING
As a homeowner, you know how important it is to keep your plumbing well maintained year round. However, you may not realize how weather can affect your plumbing. Flooding can cause your system to backup and even enter your home. Even hot weather can take a toll. Extreme weather conditions are particularly hard on your plumbing and require vigilance on your part.
Drought
Even newer pipes react poorly to drought conditions. When the soil dries out, it can cause the pipes to settle and possibly crack. The dry soil also contracts, putting pressure on the pipes and causing them to rapidly age. As a result, you have to be on the lookout for possible leaks. If you notice water pressure issues or problems with flushing your toilet, you need to call a plumber to check your pipes.
Flooding
Flooding in your area can also cause pipe problems. The increased moisture makes the soil quite heavy and puts unusual pressure on your pipes. They can crack or even cave in under the weight, causing leaks in the yard or in the basement. Pipes are also likely to shift, which can also cause them to fracture.
Drains can easily be overcome by too much water, leading to flooding and clogs, both inside and outside your home. Minimize water usage as much as possible during times of heavy rain or nearby flooding from lakes or streams to protect your system from being overloaded.
If you have a septic tank, you have to watch it carefully during flooding. Too much water in the soil can actually float the tank out of the ground, causing total septic failure. Even if the tank stays put, the drain field can fail, meaning the wastewater will not be properly treated. If your system shows signs of clogging or backing up during a deluge, stop flushing the stool and running any water. Call for a septic tank expert as soon as possible to evaluate the damage.
During times of extreme weather, you have to be sensitive to possible plumbing issues. Watch for slow running drains and bad smells in your basement and in your yard. Issues may be more likely to arise during a flood, but a drought also puts your pipes at risk. If you notice problems, cut down on your plumbing usage until you can have your system evaluated by an experienced professional. Bad weather is an enemy to your plumbing.
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Damage for tenants to fix
When it comes to damage and repairs, tenants have responsibilities too.
Any malicious or accidental damage to the property caused by a tenant or their guests is the tenant’s responsibility. However, it should still be reported to the property manager or landlord. Malicious damage could be a hole punched in a wall or even nails hammered into the wall without a landlord’s permission. Accidental damage could be red wine spilled on a carpet, for example.
Tenants are also responsible for ensuring that all repairs are reported to their landlord or property manager promptly.
Addressing repairs at tribunal
If there is a situation where it cannot be agreed between the landlord and tenant who was responsible for damage, the case may be taken to a residential tenancy tribunal where copies of insurance policies, photos of damage and inspection reports, and quotes for repairs are all carefully reviewed by the third party tribunal.
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