Hurricanes bring high winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding. Severe weather can inflict serious damage to your home, which is why it’s so important to prepare your plumbing system for the upcoming storm season. For homeowners, it’s worth the time and money to storm-proof your plumbing before rain starts falling. This guide will help you protect your plumbing system so you can focus on staying safe during a storm.
Why It’s Necessary to Prepare Your Plumbing System
Prepping your plumbing system ahead of time can save you thousands of dollars in damages. Hurricanes are unpredictable, and each storm can bring a different combination of weather. Here are a few ways the weather could impact your plumbing:
- Flooding or water leaks can infiltrate your basement or crawl space.
- Appliances stored in the basement, like a water heater, can be ruined.
- Burst and leaky pipes can cause slow toilet drainage.
- Broken plumbing systems can pollute your supply of drinking water.
What to Do During a Storm
You can do a lot of preparation before a storm begins, but there are some tasks that have to wait until the storm is closer. Here are some steps you can take to protect your plumbing system once the storm arrives:
- Turn off the main water valve to prevent flooding.
- Stock up on safe drinking water by filling up water bottles or purchasing packaged water.
- Fill your bathtub with water so you can flush the toilet during the storm.
- Turn off any appliances that use water, such as the water heater, water meter, and pool pumps.
- Boil any water you want to use for cooking or drinking if you run out of safe drinking water.
- Minimize water usage to preserve water and avoid using a closed system.
What to Do After a Storm
Once the storm passes and the skies clear, you can assess how well your plumbing system stood up to the storm. The first step is to clear away any debris from the gutters, drains, and downspouts. While doing this, you might notice damage that occurred during the hurricane.
Next, inspect for any internal damages to your plumbing system. Start by turning all the water systems back on, once it’s safe to do so, be on the lookout from your county officials when it’s safe. With the water running through the system again, you may be able to spot vulnerabilities or storm damage. Check for bubbles in the water, as this can be an indicator of debris. You can also examine all your drains — if there is any sewage backup in your sinks, toilets, or bathtubs, it’s best to contact a plumbing professional right away.
Hurricane season is a concerning time, but it’s always better to be prepared for all the possibilities. By taking the steps to protect your plumbing system, you can prevent flooding, safeguard your pipes, and reduce the risk of widespread damage
