Plumbing in a Heatwave: What Every East Tennessee Homeowner Should Know
When the summer heatwave hits Knoxville and East Tennessee, most homeowners think about their air conditionersm, but your plumbing system also feels the strain. Extreme heat, increased water use, and rising ground temperatures can all impact how well your pipes, fixtures, and water systems hold up during the hottest days of the year.
Here’s how heatwaves affect your plumbing—and what you can do about it.
1. Pipe Expansion and Leaks
Just like metal expands in heat, so do your pipes. As temperatures soar, your outdoor and exposed plumbing can swell, increasing the risk of small cracks, leaks, or even bursts—especially in older systems.
2. Overworked Water Heaters
Summer might not seem like a heavy water-heating season, but with more showers, laundry, and dishwashing, your water heater can still struggle. If your unit is aging or not properly maintained, it may fail when you need it most.
3. Sewer Line Trouble
Drought-like conditions can dry out the soil, causing it to shift and potentially crack underground sewer lines. This can lead to backups, slow drains, or foul odors around your home.
4. Clogged Drains from Outdoor Activity
Heatwaves often mean more people at home, more outdoor play, and more dirt, sand, and grease heading down your drains. This added usage increases the chance of clogs and backups, especially in kitchen and shower drains.
5. Water Pressure Fluctuations
High water demand in your neighborhood can reduce your water pressure—or in some cases, strain your home’s main supply line. If pressure seems low or inconsistent, don’t ignore it.
Extreme heat can do more than overwork your A/C, it can quietly damage your plumbing too. Stay prepared this summer by keeping an eye on your system and addressing small issues before they turn into big repairs.
Look out for slow drains, discolored water, and low water pressure. Also, watch for hidden water leaks, high water bills, noisy pipes, smelly drains, and a wobbly toilet.
Sediment buildup, too much water pressure, and issues with the internal baffle can cause a banging noise from a water heater.
Toilet clogs happen for many reasons. These include using too much toilet paper, flushing items like baby wipes or toys, mineral buildup, or plumbing issues.
Slow drains might just mean a clog. But if many drains are slow, it could be a big issue. This could lead to water damage or sewage backup if not fixed.
Water heaters can make many sounds like rumbling, crackling, sizzling, ticking, and knocking. But a banging or hammering sound means there's a serious problem.
Signs of a clogged toilet include slow draining, water not going down, or the bowl filling up with water.
Discolored water, like yellow, green, or brown, means your pipes might be rusting. This can cause leaks and burst pipes if not fixed.
Sediment at the bottom of the tank creates air bubbles that rise and make a banging sound. Flushing the water heater removes this sediment and stops the noise.
First, make sure the toilet bowl has enough water to cover the plunger. Then, press the plunger over the drain tightly. Plunge up and down quickly, lifting it a bit on each stroke.
Low water pressure can come from many things. This includes faulty fixtures, clogged pipes, closed valves, or corrosion. A professional should check it out.
"Water hammer" is when the water pressure in the heater gets too high. This sudden pressure change makes a loud banging sound. Fixing this by installing a water hammer arrestor or pressure relief valve is key to avoid damage.
Pour one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and let it sit. Then, slowly add two cups of vinegar. This creates a fizzing reaction that can break down the clog.
Hidden leaks can show as bubbling or peeling paint. You might also see wet stains on walls and ceilings. This means the leak is getting worse and harming your home's structure.
A bad or misaligned baffle can mess with the water flow and cause banging sounds. Fixing the baffle's position might solve the problem.
Feed the auger cable into the toilet bowl carefully, avoiding the porcelain. Crank the handle clockwise and push the auger into the drain until you hit the clog. Work the auger back and forth to clear the blockage.
A high water bill without a clear reason means there might be a leak. Fixing it quickly can prevent a lot of water damage.
Flushing the water heater by draining it and removing debris stops sediment buildup and the banging. Always follow the maker's instructions and be careful when flushing.
Heat a gallon of water but don't let it boil. Pour it into the toilet bowl, then add a half-cup of dish soap. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to break down the clog.
Bad smells from drains mean there's likely a blockage or a broken sewer pipe. A pro needs to check it out to find and fix the issue.
If the noise doesn't stop or you don't know why it's happening, call a licensed plumber. They can fix the problem and ensure your safety.
First, empty the toilet bowl. Then, put the vacuum hose into the drain, sealing it with a towel. Turn on the vacuum to create suction that can remove the clog.
A wobbly toilet might just need loose bolts. But if it's still unstable after tightening, it could mean a broken seal around the drain. This lets water leak into the floor and cause damage.
To stop future banging, keep your water heater in good shape with regular checks, tank flushes, expansion tank inspections, and fixing hard water issues to prevent sediment buildup.
If you've tried many ways to unclog and it keeps happening, you might have a bigger plumbing issue. Also, if you think the clog is from the main sewer line or complex plumbing, call a licensed plumber.
Keeping up with plumbing maintenance can catch problems early. This saves you money and prevents water damage later on.
Ask family to use only needed toilet paper and be careful about what they flush. Avoid flushing items like wipes, feminine products, and toys to prevent blockages.
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