Even if you don’t live in an area with a lot of hurricanes, knowing how to keep your plumbing system and home safe from storm flooding is useful!
Even if you don’t live in an area with a lot of hurricanes, knowing how to keep your plumbing system and home safe from storm flooding is useful. With weather patterns becoming less predictable and yearly rain increasing, knowing what to do in emergencies is crucial. There are five main steps to prepping your home plumbing for bad weather. If in doubt, or if your system is unique, contact a plumber to learn what changes your personal home flood plan might need.
Clear The Drains and Gutters
Perhaps one of the most critical steps in bad weather preparedness, ensuring that drains and gutters are clear and prepared can help keep your home safe from all sorts of water damage. Culverts in the street near your home, the curbs nearby, and any on your property should all be free from debris to keep runoff water from compacting the soil. If you can, adding extensions to the runoff spouts of your gutter system and gutter covers before the storm starts will help keep water away from your foundation and will lessen the impact of the rainfall on the pipes under your home.
Check The Sump Pump
If your home has a sump-pump now is the time to make sure it’s running correctly. Start by checking for any clogs to the outside piping. Next, give it a test run by filling the crock with several gallons of water. When sump-pumps work properly they can help minimize flood damage significantly.
Shut Off Your Water
Before the storm hits, make sure you know where your water supply turn-off valve is. It’s best to ensure it’s well marked with brightly colored, and even reflective material so that it can be found quickly even if you’re not at home. If you have concerns that contaminated water may enter your system due to flooding, turning your water off can ensure that no outside water can enter. Just be sure to turn on a faucet farthest away from the line to allow air in.
Check The Water Heater
Turning off the gas or electric that powers your water heater is a great way to give your plumbing system a boost as it will decrease the pressure put on your system. It also means that you have access to a secure source of potable water. Depending on the size of your water heater this can be a considerable amount.
When The Storm Has Passed, Inspect
Once the storm or severe weather has passed, it’s time to start checking out the system to be sure that any damage is identified and addressed immediately. Start by turning your water back on and performing a test run of all faucets and toilets to be sure they’re working as usual. Additionally, check your yard for any sign that pipes might have been disturbed, pulled up shrubs or trees, or sinkholes can affect pipes.
A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PLUMBING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’re family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.