Snowfall can make picturesque winter landscapes. Yet, when the sunlight comes back and temperatures rise, the snow starts melting; this brings numerous challenges to homeowners and the municipal infrastructure they rely on. Snowmelt seems harmless enough, but it affects sewer and drainage systems in ways that result in clogs, backups, and flooding. Knowing how snowmelt interacts with residential and neighborhood systems is essential to ensuring ongoing operations while preventing expensive damage.
Snowmelt Science
Snowmelt happens when a large accumulation of snow starts thawing. This thaw can happen from higher temperatures, direct sunlight, rain, or a combination of these factors. Even on a day when temperatures stay at or under freezing, radiant sunlight directly on the snowpack can melt the top layer.
Snowmelt differs from steady rain in how much water it can release in a short period of time because large volumes can be released quickly. Drainage systems that aren’t designed to handle surges of that nature can get quickly overwhelmed. Many suburban and urban areas are covered by impervious surfaces, including roofing, driveways, and roads, that exacerbate the issue because water is prevented from getting absorbed into the soil.
Sewer Systems and Snowmelt
Many older communities use combined sewer systems; in these places, wastewater and stormwater go through the same pipes. When heavy snowmelt happens, such systems can get quickly overwhelmed. The result is untreated wastewater getting discharged into nearby lakes and rivers. Some can even flow back into businesses and homes.
Snowmelt can also seep into many sewer systems via manhole covers, improperly sealed joints, and cracks. This phenomenon even has a name: infiltration and inflow, or just I&I. It increases how much water treatment facilities need to process, and with enough time, I&I can elevate maintenance costs, lower efficiency levels, and strain infrastructure.
Trash, branches, leaves, and other debris can frequently accompany snowmelt and ride into sewers and storm drains. The resulting blockages back sewers up into streets and basements. This is bad enough during rain activity, but snowmelt that does this might exacerbate frozen pipes, resulting in even more problems and blockages.
Snowmelt and Drainage Systems
Unlike sewers, drainage systems are put in place to manage surface water, but they can also deal with substantial difficulties due to snowmelt. Flooding is a prominent risk. When snowmelt is properly directed away from structures, localized flooding can result. Clogged drains and saturated soil can complicate the matter by letting water seep into basements or accumulate near foundations.
Erosion can result in infrastructure damage because of the big volumes of rapidly moving snowmelt. The involved movement can erode the soil surrounding drainage systems. In more extreme cases, it might destabilize slopes and even undermine infrastructure installations, including bridges and roads. In time, the results range from expensive repairs to safety complications.
Snowmelt can refreeze. When it does so on roadways or sidewalks, it can be a hazard to drivers and pedestrians. If it happens in drainage pipes or gutters, it can result in ice dams. These blockages keep water from flowing out freely; instead, it backs up and starts overflowing, becoming a source of potential property damage.
Preventing Snowmelt Complications
Snowmelt can present significant challenges, but proactive measures can manage the impact on both sewer and drainage systems. You can take practical steps that help prevent your own property and the community infrastructure you count on. Start by maintaining your drains. Regularly clear any debris from your downspouts, gutters, and storm drains to prevent blockages. Keep your eye out during the winter for accumulating ice and snow close to drainage outlets; if you spot it, remove it before these situations become a problem.
Make sure your property has proper grading. Your terrain should direct water away from the foundation of your home. Permeable paving, rain gardens, and swales are all features you can incorporate to improve water absorption and slow down the flow of runoff. Insulate any exposed pipes throughout your home to prevent blockages and frozen spots. Check them regularly for cracks or leaks. Dealing with issues early can stop snowmelt from getting into the local sewer system due to infiltration.
If your home has crawl spaces or a basement, upgrade your sump pump or have one installed. Maintain it for proper functioning; ensure a backup power source is in place for outages. Monitor weather forecasts so you can plan ahead, particularly during periods of quickly changing temperatures. If heavy snow is followed by rising temperatures or rain, be prepared to clear snow away from drainage areas and driveways.
Municipal Governments Have Work To Do
Local governments are the primary players responsible for managing how snowmelt impacts municipal sewer and drainage systems. Investments and policies addressing stormwater management, infrastructure improvements, and public awareness can drastically minimize the risks of snowmelt. Infrastructure upgrades require investing in modern stormwater and sewer systems created to accommodate increased runoff. Retention ponds, bigger drains, and replacing old pipes give local infrastructure a better chance to manage snowmelt when it happens.
Government at all levels should encourage sustainable practices. Homeowners and businesses alike can be incentivized to adopt sustainable practices, including planting trees and installing rain barrels. Educational campaigns raise public awareness and help citizens understand how important it is to keep storm drains clear and get ready for snowmelt. Maintaining gutters and clearing debris are simple steps that make a huge difference when done enough on a collective level.
Real-World Instances
Many Midwest cities have dealt with a combination of snowmelt and rain in recent years that results in serious flooding. These events overwhelm communities with combined sewer systems, cause widespread property damage, and leak untreated wastewater discharge into the natural waterways in the impacted areas.
Colder parts of the country see ice dams form in homes and building gutters, resulting in substantial damage to walls and roofs. Snowmelt that can’t drain properly results in water infiltration; afflicted homeowners get stuck with costly repairs.
Mountainous regions frequently witness rapid snowmelt when the spring season starts. The resulting erosion around bridges and drainage systems disrupts transportation at certain times but also frequently results in expensive infrastructure repairs.
Not as Innocent as It Looks
Snowmelt might look like a natural process that’s harmless, but it can have a profound impact on drainage and sewer systems. The potential for significant problems include property damage, localized flooding, and overburdened sewers. Fortunately, investing in modern infrastructure, proactive measures, and careful maintenance can mitigate the risks. From homeowners needing clear drains to city planners responsible for stormwater solutions, knowing the impact of snowmelt is necessary to keep communities resilient.
Hope Plumbing serves residents of Indianapolis and the surrounding Indiana communities with plumbing services, including repairs, sewer and drain options, water softeners, leak repairs, and rooter services. They also handle tank and tankless water heaters, sump pumps, gas lines, plumbing inspections, septic tanks, downspout installations, reverse osmosis systems, and plumbing inspections. Contact Hope Plumbing about snowmelt impacting your home’s drainage and sewer connections.
