The wet season has you smelling odd things from your drains? You hear a pipe make a noise it has no business making? And the house is more humid than it ought to be despite the air conditioner?

You would not be the only one. Brotherhood Plumbing puts homeowners and businesses in the Greater Baton Rouge area in a position to put an end to the kind of plumbing aggravation that is par for the course in this part of Louisiana. A phone call to (225) 230-6200 and we will explain the situation.

There is no denying the weather in Louisiana is lovely, but it is unforgiving when it comes to your plumbing. Year in and year out the humidity and flooding our parishes are subject to have their way with your pipes and fixtures. To prevent matters from deteriorating one has to understand what is at the root of it.

Why Your Plumbing Suffers in the Humidity

It is not just a matter of thick air. The high humidity sets up conditions in and about your plumbing system that hasten its demise.

Cold water lines in particular get a coating of moisture from the air. That dampness becomes condensation, pooling and dripping in unobserved places. In time it is an open invitation for corrosion and mold.

In the homes of Baton Rouge we come across these humidity problems time and again:

• Cold water pipes that sweat and corrode
• Pipe joints and the underside of sinks where mildew and mold can form
• A mustiness in the basement or from the drains
• Metal connections and fixtures left to rust
• Puddles on the floor from a toilet tank in a sweat
• Warping of cabinets and floors due to the moisture

For the most part they are insidious. A pipe may be slowly corroding before you are any the wiser, until there is a leak. So it is important to be observant.

What Flooding Does

In Ascension, Livingston and Iberville Parishes and environs, you have to expect flooding. But rising water is not confined to what is visible; it will carry dirt and debris into the nooks and crannies of your property.

Waste and grime can be forced back up the sewer lines into your home by floodwater. It can also move the earth under your buried pipes to the point of cracking or breaking them at the joint. Not to mention the pressure standing water exerts on the system around your foundation.

Once the waters recede, be on the lookout for:

• Drains that are not moving as they should
• Gurgling from the pipes
• Water from the tap that is discolored or low in pressure
• Backing up in the shower or tub
• The telltale smell of sewage from a floor drain or toilet

Then there is the damage done below ground which is harder to put your finger on. A shifted or cracked sewer line might not give itself away right off, but if left alone the problem will only compound.

When Humidity and Flooding Combine

That is the rub in Louisiana, the two are complicit. After a flood the moisture lingers for weeks and the humidity makes sure nothing dries out, allowing mold and corrosion to run their course.

Water heaters, fixtures and drain lines are put under additional duress. What could be a minor leak in a home prone to both can develop into something of a water damage issue in short order.

But an ounce of prevention is worth a lot. We see how regular care of your plumbing, pre and post storm season, spares you from having to foot the bill for major repairs.

Some Easy Ways to Shield Your Home

One does not have much say over the weather, though you can do this to mitigate the effect on your plumbing:

• Insulate those exposed cold water pipes so they do not condense
• Put in the time to check for moisture under the sinks and keep them dry
• Get an inspection of your sewer lines in the wake of a bad flood
• See to it your drains are clear ahead of storm season
• If something seems amiss, put in a call to a licensed plumber

Brotherhood Plumbing

You need not put up with the climate here by yourself. As a locally owned and operated concern, we are licensed, insured and on hand 24/7 for commercial and residential clients in all of Greater Baton Rouge.

Free estimates and straight talk are what we provide, be it for flood or humidity trouble or simply for your own satisfaction. (225) 230-6200 is the number to reach us.