Arizona’s monsoon season brings more than heavy rain. It can stir up pressure changes, flooding, and water backups that put strain on your plumbing system. While you can’t stop the storms, you can protect your home by taking a few smart steps ahead of time.
How Monsoon Season Puts Extra Pressure on Your Plumbing
When monsoon storms roll in, the sudden changes in water flow and ground movement can strain your plumbing system in ways that aren’t obvious right away. Even if your yard doesn’t pool with water, your pipes and drains are still affected by what happens underground. Shifting soil and pressure buildup from heavy rain can move pipes slightly out of place, especially if they’re older or already weakened by corrosion or tree root intrusion.
You might not see a leak, but small changes in pipe alignment can slow down your drains or even lead to backflow in low-lying parts of your home. Sewer lines are particularly vulnerable. When rainwater rushes into the city system, it can cause backups that push dirty water toward your property. The risk climbs if your sewer cleanout is uncovered or your yard slopes toward the home.
Have a plumber check your system before monsoon season. They can catch loose fittings, shallow pipe slopes, or old seals that could become bigger problems once the storms start.
Why Professional Plumbing Inspections Matter More Before Monsoons
A professional inspection before the rainy season is like giving your plumbing a stress test. It’s not just about spotting leaks. A good plumber checks things like pressure readings, cleanout access, sump pump function, and the condition of underground lines. They also examine how water moves away from your house when it rains and whether your system can handle that flow without getting overwhelmed.
Most homes aren’t built with monsoon patterns in mind. They might have drains that are too small to be placed in spots where water tends to collect. A plumber can point those things out and suggest changes. That might mean adjusting the slope of a drain line or installing a backflow valve that keeps sewer water from reversing into your home.
What Plumbing Problems Monsoon Season Can Bring
Water pressure inside your system can change as the ground soaks up moisture. Pipes under the house might shift slightly if the soil softens too much. This movement can put stress on joints, especially in older homes with metal or clay lines.
Another common problem is basement or crawlspace flooding. If your sump pump hasn’t been tested lately, it might not turn on when needed. That can lead to pooling water under the house, damaging insulation, weakening supports, and creating musty odors that move up into the living space. Even homes without basements can have low spots that collect water near foundation walls.
Bathrooms also feel the effects. If your vent stacks are clogged or slow, they can trap pressure inside the drain system. That pressure can push water back up into your shower or toilet when it rains. You might hear gurgling sounds or see slow drainage before the storm hits full strength. That’s your system signaling that it’s already working harder than it should.
How to Keep Drains and Gutters From Causing Trouble
Rainwater has to go somewhere, and your roof and yard play a big part in where it ends up. If your gutters are blocked with leaves or debris, water can spill over the edge and land right next to your foundation. That water doesn’t always soak into the ground. Sometimes, it finds cracks in your slab or enters through small gaps around basement windows and doors.
The same goes for yard drains and downspouts. If they point toward the house or empty into a slow-draining part of the yard, water collects near your plumbing lines. That can make the soil shift and push against buried pipes. Over time, the pressure wears them down or bends them just enough to create a blockage.
Checking your gutters and downspouts before the first big storm is one of the easiest ways to avoid bigger plumbing headaches. Make sure downspouts lead water away from the house and not toward your sewer or septic system. And if you have a yard drain, test it with a hose to see how quickly the water moves through. A slow drain now could mean a flooded lawn later.
Sump Pumps During Heavy Rain
A working sump pump can save you a lot of trouble when the rain comes fast. This pump sits in a pit, usually in your basement or crawlspace, and turns on when water collects there. Its job is to send that water away from your home before it starts to rise and cause damage.
The problem is that many people forget about their sump pump until the water is already rising. If the pump is jammed or the power supply is loose, it won’t turn on. If the float switch is stuck or the discharge pipe is blocked, the pump might run but not move water fast enough.
Before the monsoon season starts, test the pump by slowly pouring water into the pit. It should turn on automatically and run smoothly. If you hear strange noises or nothing happens at all, it’s time for service. Backup pumps and battery systems are worth considering, too, especially if you’ve had flooding in the past or live in a low-lying area.
Keep Bathrooms Dry and Draining Properly
Bathrooms can get weird during a heavy rain if your plumbing system isn’t balanced. You might hear water bubbling in the toilet or see slow drainage in the shower. Sometimes, the smell from the drain changes. That doesn’t always mean you have a clog. It might mean your vent stack is blocked or water is backing up from outside the home.
During a storm, sewer systems in your area can get overwhelmed. If you don’t have a backflow preventer, that pressure can push water into your lowest drain. This usually shows up in basement bathrooms, but it can affect ground-level fixtures too.
To avoid this, a plumber can check your venting and install a one-way valve that blocks water from reversing direction. You can also install drain covers that keep water from coming up through the shower or floor. These aren’t big upgrades, but they can make a huge difference when the storms hit hard.
How a Maintenance Plan Can Help You Stay Prepared
Signing up for a plumbing maintenance plan helps you stay ready before storms hit. These plans usually include scheduled inspections, discounted repairs, and priority service when something goes wrong. That means your plumbing system gets checked before the first big downpour instead of waiting for something to break.
You might get reminders for things like flushing your water heater or inspecting your pressure regulator. You also have a record of what’s been repaired or upgraded. That helps you make better decisions when something new comes up. When monsoon season hits, having that regular service history gives you peace of mind. You already know your sump pump works. Your drains are clear. Your valves have been tested.
We’ll Prepare Your Home for Monsoon Season
Our team offers a full line of plumbing services, including water heater repair and replacement, repiping, drain clearing, sewer repair, and water filtration. If you want your home to handle monsoon season without a plumbing disaster, schedule a pre-season check with Goettl's High Desert Mechanical in Camp Verde.
