Prepare Your Plumbing for a Hurricane

A Licensed Plumber’s Checklist

Any South Florida resident that’s experienced a hurricane knows how to prepare their home and family for a storm. However, there are additional steps you can take to protect your property, and your neighbors’. To stay safe and prevent costly repairs, here’s what our licensed plumbers recommend you should do before and after a storm.

Before the the storm arrives:

• Clean out your storm drain and catch basin. Clean up leaves, branches, and any other debris that could create a clog. Make sure the caps or plugs on your sewer trap are sealed tight. If they look old or ill-fitting, replace them immediately.
• Inspect your property for tree roots. Though roots may obstruct pipes at any time of the year, if a hurricane strikes there’s risk of much further damage.
• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water. In an emergency, you can use this water for cleaning dishes, bathing or flushing toilets.
• Turn off your main water valve. This will prevent contaminated water from entering your home plumbing. Ensure air can still get into your system by opening the tap furthest away from the main line.
• Turn off your hot water heater. This will prevent it from coming on while the water is shut off. Additionally, the water inside the heater offers gallons of safe water for use in an emergency.

After the storm has passed:

• Inspect the plumbing in your home. Clear out any debris around sewer drains and gutters. Look out for any leaks, cracks, or discolored water.
• Don’t assume everything is back to normal. Check with local authorities before turning your main water valve back on. This will prevent contaminated water from entering your home.

Call the professional licensed plumbers at Raider Rooter immediately if you notice any of the following once your water is flowing again:

• Bubbles. This means there is likely trapped air in the pipeline. A plumber can tell you if there is a clog or broken pipe that requires repair.
• Clogged Drains. If you find drains that don’t see a lot of normal use getting clogged, there’s likely debris within the pipes.
• Sewage. A sewage backup is a plumbing emergency. An underground pipe may be broken or clogged. Exposure to sewage can be dangerous, so call us right away.

Tropical Storm Isaias and recent hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico should serve as a strong reminder that hurricane season is not over. Even with the unique challenges created by COVID-19, it’s still critical to prepare for hurricane season.Raider Rooter has been providing South Florida with reliable, affordable, and high-quality licensed plumbing services since 1978. Let us put our expertise to work for you. Call us for pre- and post- storm plumbing inspections of your home or business.