May Showers Bring… Plumbing Challenges? Your Twin Cities Home Maintenance Guide

By May, we’ve usually swapped our snow shovels for garden trowels. But in the Twin Cities, May is more than just planting season—it’s the start of our heavy rain and thunderstorm season.​​

At Tony’s Plumbing & Heating, we see a specific set of challenges this month. While April is about the thaw, May is about managing water and preparing for the summer heat. Here is your May plumbing checklist to keep your home running smoothly.

1. The Sump Pump: Your Home's First Line of Defense
With those heavy May downpours, your sump pump is going to be the MVP of your basement. If it’s been a few weeks since you checked it, now is the time.

• The "Bucket Test": Pour a few gallons of water into the basin to ensure the float trigger kicks on immediately.
• Listen Closely: If you hear grinding or humming but no water is moving, the impeller might be clogged or damaged.
• Don't Forget the Backup: In Minnesota, big storms often mean power outages. If you don't have a battery backup for your pump, May is the best time to install one before the real summer "gully washers" arrive.

2. Roots in the Line? Watch for the "Spring Bloom"
As our East Metro trees fully leaf out, their roots are at their most aggressive, searching for moisture. If your home has older sewer lines, tiny cracks can attract these roots like a magnet.

• Signs of Trouble: Gurgling toilets, slow drains in the basement, or an "earthy" smell near your floor drains.
• Prevention: A professional drain cleaning or camera inspection now can prevent a nasty (and expensive) backup during a Memorial Day weekend gathering.

3. AC Tune-Up Time (Yes, Your Heating Pro Handles This!)
It might feel cool today, but the first 90-degree day is usually just around the corner. Your air conditioner's condensation line is a common source of "mystery leaks."

• Check the Drain Line: Ensure the PVC pipe that drains moisture from your AC unit is clear of algae or debris. A clogged line can back up and cause water damage to your furnace or floor.
• Schedule Your Service: May is the perfect "window" to get your system checked before the summer rush begins in June. 
• If you need a recommendation for an HVAC technician in your area, please let us know. 

4. Yard Drainage & Grading
Take a walk around your yard after a rainstorm.

• The 4-Foot Rule: Ensure your downspouts are discharging water at least 4 feet away from your foundation.
• Grading: If you see water pooling against your house, you may need to add some soil to create a slope that carries water away from your basement walls. This reduces the "hydrostatic pressure" that forces water through tiny cracks in your foundation.

5. Outdoor Faucets & Sprinklers
Now that the risk of a hard frost has passed, it’s time to fully recommission your outdoor plumbing.

• Check for Seepage: Open your outdoor hose bibs and check for any leaks at the handle.
• ​Sprinkler Start-up: If you have an in-ground system, check for broken heads that might be wasting water or creating "swamps" in your lawn.

Tony’s Plumbing & Heating has been proud to serve our neighbors in Oakdale, Woodbury, Stillwater, and across the Twin Cities for many years. We know Minnesota homes, and we know exactly what our local climate does to your pipes.

Is your home ready for storm season? Give us a call today at 651-340-1259 for a spring maintenance check!

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