Your garden hose might have been overlooked this past winter. But if it was attached to a pipe during the cold weather, it still has the capacity to cause damage. The transition from winter to spring can lead to flooding in some cases. Here’s a guide on what you need to know to understand this common issue and when you may need a plumber. 

How Do Garden Hoses Cause Flooding?  

When your hose is left attached as the temperature drops, there’s a concern that latent water can freeze, expanding to the point that you’ll have a busted pipe on your hands. As a precaution, many residents leave the water running at a drip to keep the liquid moving and more difficult to freeze. The problem is that when spring arrives, the temperature thaws, and that profusion of hose water can start leaking toward your home, and even down to the foundation, causing substantial damage and rotting. If you don’t know to look for the problem, the damage will become even more severe. 

What Should You Do if There’s Flooding?

After noticing the presence of water in your basement, immediately turn off the hose’s valve if you’ve been using it. Any water you’re drawing will just get sent to increase the flood. It’s also worth turning off your main water valve in case water from other other pipes are feeding into the broken one.

Once you’ve taken those steps, quickly reach out to an emergency plumber who can help you remove the water. In the meantime, as long as the flood isn’t too high, you can try to rescue any valuables and move them out of the danger zone. There’s also a possibility that the source of the flooding is water that did freeze after all, but your plumber will help you determine the true source of the difficulty. 

If you have a busted pipe or flooding, don’t hesitate to reach out to Murphy's Plumbing Company in Mebane, NC. Serving the community since 1988, the trusted plumbing contractor will quickly mitigate the source of water damage and institute a plan to avoid future floods. To set up an appointment with a plumber, call (919) 563-5165. Learn more about these longstanding experts by visiting their website.