You know that smell after an April rain? It’s the best. But your pipes are…not as thrilled about it.

The Keller area gets close to 39 inches of rain a year, and spring dumps a solid chunk of that in a pretty short window. The ground’s still holding onto moisture from winter, so all that new rainwater has nowhere to go – and that’s when your plumbing starts acting up.

Hold on, rain messes with my plumbing?

More than you’d think. Your sewer line sits underground, and when the soil around it gets totally waterlogged, it squeezes those pipes. Any cracks, loose fittings, or weak spots become entry points for groundwater. Now your sewer line is trying to handle your normal household water plus a bunch of rainwater that wasn’t invited.

That’s how you end up with backups, slow drains, and nasty surprises in the lowest parts of your house.

How serious are we talking?

Pretty serious, actually. Water damage ranks as the second most filed homeowner insurance claim in the country, and payouts average close to $14,000. Roughly 1 in 60 insured homes files one of those claims every year. A lot of them start with something small – a drain that’s been a little sluggish all spring that nobody bothered to deal with.

Red flags to watch for after a storm

If just one sink is draining slow, it’s probably a simple clog. But when your shower, toilet, and kitchen sink all start acting sluggish at the same time? That usually means the problem is deeper in your drain system. Weird gurgling sounds from your drains, sewer smells inside the house, or wet patches in the yard that stick around for days – all worth picking up the phone for.

Spring rain and tree roots – a combo nobody asked for

Here’s one that sneaks up on people. Tree roots grow toward moisture and nutrients, and your sewer line has plenty of both. Spring rain kicks root growth into high gear, and those roots will work their way into any tiny crack in your sewer line. Once they’re in, they just keep growing and make blockages worse season after season.

Getting ahead of it

Smart move number one – get a professional drain cleaning before the heavy spring rains hit. Clearing out buildup means your system can actually handle the extra water. Also make sure your gutters and downspouts point water away from your foundation instead of pooling right next to it.

And if your home’s on the older side, having a plumber run a camera through your lines to check for cracks or root problems can save you thousands down the road.

Howze has you covered this storm season

If your drains are giving you trouble after a rainstorm – or you just want to make sure your plumbing can take whatever spring throws at it – the team at Howze Plumbing is here for you. We keep Keller homes running right with honest leak detection and plumbing repair you can count on.

Get in touch with us or call 817-305-8600 before the next big one rolls through.