Hurricane preparation involves more than just buying food and water and making sure to have extra batteries on hand. When preparing for a hurricane season, it’s easy to neglect your often hidden plumbing when you’re overwhelmed by so many other things. That’s why we put together this list of tips to help ensure your plumbing stays protected when hurricane weather threatens.
First, check your drains and gutters and clear out any debris. You’ll want to make sure the heavy rains that arrive with a hurricane have someplace to go other than your roof or sewage. Make sure your downspouts are firmly attached and directing water away from your foundation. It’s not a bad idea to have your sewer lines and drains inspected and repaired if needed, this helps reduce the risk of sewer line backups during heavy rains.
Next, test your sump pump regularly. A sump pump clears the water around your home to prevent floodwater from entering your home, or crawl space. It’s the only thing standing between you and rising storm waters. You may even consider installing a battery backup to your pump to ensure it keeps running even during a power outage.
You don’t want to forget to shut your main water valve off before the storm hits or before you have to evacuate. You’ll want to make sure everyone in your home knows where the main shut off valve is located. A storm surge during flooding can introduce contaminated water into your plumbing system. Floodwaters can contain animal feces, chemicals, car runoff, and even sewage, making your family sick.
And lastly, don’t forget to stock up on bottled water. You may even want to fill a bathtub with water before the storm arrives to use for toilet flushing and light cleaning.
While it’s never smart to go outside during a hurricane, you can still check the plumbing inside your home. Being prepared is the best way to save you from numerous, expensive plumbing repairs later. After the storm, should you have any plumbing issues or repairs that we can help with give us a call at (407) 219-9772 or contact us online. Michael’s Plumbing is your central Florida plumbing expert, and we can help with all of your plumbing repairs. We offer fast service and we’ll do the job right – the first time.