How To Prepare Your Plumbing For Hurricane Season
Living in South Florida implies that you’ve got to be prepared for hurricane season. Hurricane season brings strong winds, heavy rain, and the potential for flooding. While you’re busy securing your home and stocking up on supplies, don’t forget about your plumbing system! A little preparation can go a long way in preventing potential water damage during a storm.
At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric, we understand the necessity for emergency plumbing services. In this article, we share with you the preparation steps you should take to ensure your plumbing weathers the storm and what steps to take in the event of an emergency.
Before the Storm Hits: Keep Those Drains Clear
It’s important to keep the drains and channels that route water away from your home clear.
Clean Drains and Gutters
During heavy rainfall, clogged drains and gutters can cause water to back up into your home, leading to flooding and damage. Regularly clearing out leaves and debris can stop water from damming up and impeding water flow.
Get Slow Drains Checked
Don’t wait for a storm to test your drains! Run water down all your sinks, tubs, and showers. If the water takes longer than a few seconds to drain, consider scheduling professional drain cleaning. Our licensed plumbers can identify and remove any blockages before they become a major problem during a downpour.
Inspect Sewer Lines
A leaking sewage line can become a health hazard during a storm if the water starts to seep out. Regular sewer line cleaning can prevent backups caused by heavy rain and flooding. Look for signs like slow drains, unpleasant odors, or frequent clogs. If you suspect an issue, contact us for a professional sewer line inspection and repair.
Trim Tree Roots
Tree roots can infiltrate any hairline cracks and damage underground pipes. Our professional plumbing team can assess any trees near your home’s plumbing for root encroachment and recommend trimming or removing problematic roots to protect your plumbing system.
Locate Your Shutoff Valves
Knowing where your main water shutoff valve is located is essential. In an emergency, you’ll need to shut off the water supply immediately to prevent flooding. The valve location can vary depending on your home’s plumbing layout. The shutoff valve is typically located outside near the street or where the water line enters your home. Familiarize yourself with the location and operation of the valve before a storm hits.
Stock Up on Essential Emergency Supplies
Hurricanes can have a huge impact on the normal running of services so it’s important to make plans for a worst-case scenario such as suspended power outages or burst water mains.
Keep an Emergency Water Supply
You should keep a three-day supply of bottled water to drink and cook with for your family. You can also fill bathtubs and sinks with clean water for flushing toilets and other uses such as washing dishes, clothes, and hands.
Flashlights and Batteries
Power outages are common during hurricanes. Having a reliable flashlight and extra batteries will help you navigate your home and avoid tripping hazards during the storm.
Hurricane Kit
Ensuring you are well prepared for potential hurricanes includes having an accessible hurricane kit stocked with essential items at all times.
Preventative Measures
It’s important to take these preventative measures:
Turn Off the Main Water Valve
If you plan to evacuate your home, or if major storm surge is predicted, turn off the main water supply valve. This will prevent flooding if pipes break or leak due to the storm. Remember to turn off the gas or electricity to your water heater as well to prevent it from turning on while there’s no water pressure.
Drain the Water Supply System
Once you’ve shut off the water supply, open the faucet furthest from the main shutoff valve. This will allow any remaining water in the pipes to drain and help prevent them from bursting due to pressure build-up.
Assessment and Restoration After the Storm
Now that you’ve prepared your home as best you can against Hurricane season it’s time to assess any hazards and restore what may have been damaged.
Exercise Safety First
Before entering your home, be sure it’s structurally sound and safe to enter the building. Look around to make sure there are no downed power lines. If there are stay away and contact your local power company to report them.
Inspect for Leaks
Once it’s safe to enter, check for any visible leaks or damage to pipes, faucets, or toilets. Areas such as crawlspaces or under sinks are often prone to problems so pay attention to these areas first.
Turn On the Water Gradually
Don’t turn the faucets on too fast as there could be a pressure build-up in the system. Slowly turn on the main water shutoff valve and listen for any hissing or unusual sounds that might indicate leaks.
Check Drains
Heavy rain can overwhelm drains if your home or garage is flooded, contact your local plumbing company to send a plumber to assess the situation and prevent further damage.
South Florida Emergency Plumbing Services
Since the early 1980’s, Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric has served tens of thousands of South Floridians with their plumbing needs. Whether you’re looking for professional plumbing services for a new bathroom or emergency plumbing services to deal with hurricane damage, we are here to help. Our licensed plumbers have the expertise and experience to diagnose and repair a wide range of plumbing problems quickly and efficiently. Call us at 1-800-475-1504 to book your appointment today.
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