Hurricane season has finally arrived for the year, so you should know (more or less) what to do to prepare your household and loved ones for any storms that come to pass. In preparing for hurricane season, you’ve probably gathered emergency supplies, like cases of water, flashlights, extra batteries, and external power sources. You also likely know to stay apprised of your local authorities and weather reports for any hurricane developments.
But have you considered your plumbing system? Like the rest of your home, it is susceptible to damage from heavy rainfall and strong winds during a hurricane. However, with a few preparations, you can help prevent plumbing problems. Here, our plumbers in Gainesville, FL, at Quality Plumbing of Gainesville Inc., discuss what hurricane season means for your plumbing system. Contact us today to request plumbing services!
Clear The Outdoor Drains
Hurricanes bring with them a significant amount of rainfall and moisture. The drains on your property are equipped to transfer water collected away from your structure, but they may not be able to complete this task if they are obstructed. Drains that are clogged or blocked with debris, such as leaves, twigs, and other items, cannot handle the overload of water from a tropical storm or hurricane. Ensure that your home’s outdoor drains are completely clear of debris of any kind to help prevent possible flooding. Take time to check the gutters and downspouts and ensure they’re securely fastened to your residential structure.
Schedule A Plumbing Inspection
If your household has one or more plumbing issues you’ve been putting off having repaired, now is the perfect time to schedule a system inspection with our Gainesville, FL, plumbers! Common issues that should be repaired before a hurricane include pipe or fixture leaks, low water pressure, blockages, overflowing appliances, or other problems. Test the drains inside of your home to see how long each takes for the water to fully drain. If more than a few seconds pass before the water drains, then it’s a good time to schedule drain cleaning services with our Gainesville plumbing experts.
Prep Your Plumbing System
If a hurricane is en route to your geographic location, you’ll want to prepare your plumbing system ahead of time. Taking preventive measures in preparation for a hurricane will reduce the likelihood of your plumbing system suffering damage during and after the storm. During a hurricane, you won’t likely use the water heater, so turn off the appliance before the storm arrives. Using the hot water heater during a hurricane can strain your entire plumbing system unnecessarily. While you’ve likely already stocked up on fresh drinking water for yourself and others in your household, remember that the water stored in your hot water tank is technically safe to drink as a last resort.
Turn Off The Main Water Valve
If you’ve taken care of most preparation steps for your home before a hurricane, you should also think about shutting off your property’s main water supply during a significant storm event. Ideally, you should turn off the main water valve before the hurricane is in full force. This will prevent you from trying to locate the main water shutoff valve during the hurricane. This can also prevent your home’s water supply from becoming contaminated with outside contaminants. Additionally, turning off the main water valve on your property can prevent the worsening of any existing plumbing issues that can occur due to extreme weather. If you have trouble locating the valve, call our Gainesville plumbers for assistance!