Your hurricane preparedness to-do list is ready for the next storm, but did you include your plumbing on the list? To avoid damage to your pipes and further damage to your home, it would be a good idea to prepare your plumbing for hurricane season now, before the next big storm strikes.
Here are six tips to help you prepare your plumbing for hurricane season:
- Look for tree roots. They can wrap around your piping, causing corrosion. If a tree falls during a storm, it could cause even more damage. We can identify tree roots that are impacting your plumbing and help you decide what to do about them.
- Remove leaves and other debris from gutters, downspouts, and drains so rainwater drains the way it’s supposed to. Make sure they’re attached securely, too, and tighten them if they’re loose. Replace them if they’re rusty.
- Take a look at your inside drains. When you run water through them, it should take just a few seconds for them to drain. Drain cleaning products can get rid of clogs, but they can also make things worse. Think about asking us to snake and clean your slow drains.
- Make sure your sump pump is working properly and is clear of any debris.
- Make sure you know how to turn off the main water pipe. You won’t want to struggle with it if you need to evacuate and have to leave quickly.
- Have the septic tank or sewer lines cleaned regularly to prevent the backups that can occur during heavy rains and flooding. Signs of a possible backup are clogging sinks and toilets, and unpleasant odors from drains.
During The Storm
Stock up on drinking water and fill your bathtub with water so you’ll be able to flush the toilet.
Turn off the main water pipe to protect your water from contamination. Open the tap furthest from the main line so air can still get into the plumbing system.
Turn your water heater off to avoid pressure on your plumbing system.
Try to minimize water use so your sump pump will continue to work effectively
After The Storm
When it’s safe to go outside, clear all the debris from gutters, downspouts and drains.
Make sure there’s no damage to your plumbing, too. If you see bubbles when you turn on the water or flush the toilet, air is probably trapped in the pipeline. But bubbles can also be a sign of debris in a pipe.
Other signs of trapped debris or a broken pipe are sewage backing up into your toilets, bathtub, or sinks. This is an emergency that calls for professional plumbing services right away.
To learn more about how to prepare your plumbing for hurricane season, contact us. We’re a family-owned business, and we’ve been serving the plumbing needs of residents of Savannah since 1968. Our company has seen a lot of hurricanes in that time. With more than 50 years of experience, we can help you prevent hurricane damage to your plumbing and repair it if necessary.