Will we experience cracks or aging due to poorly maintained pipes being inundated with rising water?

Poorly maintained pipes that are inundated with rising water can cause damage to homes, particularly if the water seeps into the foundation or basement. Water that accumulates in the soil surrounding a home can exert hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls, which can lead to cracks and other forms of damage. In addition, if water enters the home through cracks or other openings in the foundation or basement walls, it can damage interior finishes, furniture, and other personal belongings.


To mitigate the impact on homes during flooding events from potential poor pipes, the City conducted a survey of all the residential sewer pipes and identified areas to be addressed. Less than one percent of the pipes’ systems are considered to need remediation and the city has already started the process of fixing them. Regarding the city's storm drain pipes, these pipes are built using high density plastic and concrete and have a life span of about 100+ years. The city's older storm drain pipes are located in the old Geneva site and will be replaced as development there occurs. 


Additionally, the Utah Building Code has requirements for licensed contractors regarding waterproofing foundations and installation and protection of resident’s pipes. In addition, homeowners can take steps to minimize the impact of flooding on their homes, such as performing regular maintenance of utilities and water barriers of windows and doors at the basement or foundation.

Show All Answers

1. Is Vineyard in a floodplain?
2. Will the groundwater table rise and flood homes close to the lake?
3. Can you explain groundwater levels and what that means for wells and basements?
4. Should residents close to the lake be concerned with water tables rising with historic snowpack levels? The lake levels are low, but do we see this being an issue?
5. What systems are in place that help with flood potential? How do detention ponds, land drains, underground channels, etc. mitigate flood potential?
6. Does Vineyard have sandbags available to residents?
7. From the city engineer standpoint, what level of concern might exist for the water table rising significantly, leading to flooding basements? Should our residents be concerned about this?
8. Is our ground water table generally low? Will it make a difference for people closer to the lake than those further from it?
9. How will those with septic tanks be affected by potential flooding?
10. Will we experience cracks or aging due to poorly maintained pipes being inundated with rising water?
11. How has the City staff prepared for potential flooding impacts?
12. Will our pavement suffer?
13. Will trees suffer as the soil becomes soupier, starving their roots of oxygen?
14. Is there anything Vineyard residents should know about ASRs?