Hurricane Season 2024: Essential Plumbing Preparations for Florida Homeowners
With experts predicting an active 2024 hurricane season with several major storms likely to impact Florida, homeowners across the Sunshine State must take proactive steps to protect their properties. While many focus on boarding windows and stocking supplies, your home’s plumbing system requires equal attention to prevent costly water damage and health hazards during and after severe weather events.
Understanding the Plumbing Risks During Hurricane Season
Hurricanes can cause plumbing leaks to become severe during storms, leading to significant water damage. Intense rainfall, high winds, and pressure changes can cause pipes to burst or crack, while gas lines can rupture, water pipes can break, excess water can overflow drainage systems, and sewer systems may flood, contaminating the water supply.
Foundation shifting due to saturated ground soil puts stress on plumbing pipes and can lead to cracks and leaks. Additionally, heavy rainfall and flooding can overwhelm sewer systems, causing sewage to back up into homes through toilets, sinks, and drains.
Essential Pre-Storm Plumbing Preparations
Inspect and Secure Your System
Check all plumbing systems thoroughly for leaks and fix any issues immediately, hiring a professional plumber to inspect your system if you’re unsure. Look for signs of corrosion or wear in pipes, as these can lead to major problems during heavy rainfall and flooding.
Install a backflow prevention valve to prevent sewage backups, which can be a common issue during hurricanes due to increased pressure on municipal water systems. Installing backflow prevention devices is a key step in hurricane preparedness, as these devices prevent contaminated water from reversing its course and entering your clean water supply.
Protect Outdoor Fixtures
Disconnect and store all outdoor hoses to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds. Cover exterior pipes with insulation to prevent them from bursting if temperatures drop suddenly during the storm. Secure any outdoor faucets and check that they are turned off properly to avoid accidental flooding.
Consider installing protective covers for outdoor plumbing fixtures to shield them from debris and flying objects during a hurricane.
Know Your Emergency Shutoffs
Know how to locate and shut off your main water valve quickly, as this is crucial if you need to evacuate or if there’s a risk of pipes bursting. Practice turning it off in advance to ensure everyone in your household knows how to do it.
As soon as landfall is imminent or evacuation notices are issued, shut off your water meter at the cutoff valve to help minimize damage to your home’s interior should a pipe burst inside your home and prevent contaminated water from getting into your plumbing system.
Prepare Your Water Heater
Turn off your hot water heater, as your plumbing system does not need the added stress of heating water, and some hot water heaters may be damaged if the water supply is turned off for an extended period. For electrical water heaters, switch off the electrical circuit breakers, and for gas water heaters, turn the pilot light off and shut off the gas supply.
Professional Plumbing Services in Florida
For homeowners seeking expert hurricane preparation assistance, ATA’s Plumbing is a full-service plumbing company with years of experience in all types of plumbing services, serving both residential and commercial clients in the Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, with a commitment to providing high-quality plumbing services at affordable pricing. Whether you need professional plumbing inspections or emergency services, reliable Residential Plumbing Pasco County, FL contractors like ATA’s Plumbing can help ensure your home’s plumbing system is properly prepared for hurricane season.
During the Storm
To stop flooding from contaminating your home’s water supply, shut off the main water valve before the storm hits. If you anticipate severe conditions, drain your plumbing system by opening all taps and letting the water flow out completely to prevent standing water from freezing or causing pressure build-ups that could damage the pipes.
Fill your bathtub with water for bathing purposes only – this water should not be used for drinking.
Post-Hurricane Plumbing Assessment
Once it’s safe to return to your property, conduct a thorough inspection. Check for any visible leaks or damage to pipes, faucets, or toilets, paying particular attention to areas such as crawlspaces or under sinks which are often prone to problems.
Don’t turn faucets on too fast as there could be pressure build-up in the system – slowly turn on the main water shutoff valve and listen for any hissing or unusual sounds that might indicate leaks.
Watch for water stains on walls or ceilings, unexpected puddles or damp spots in your yard or basement, and a noticeable drop in water pressure.
When to Call Emergency Plumbing Services
If heavy rainfall and flooding have overwhelmed sewer systems, causing sewage to back up into your home through toilets, sinks, and drains, this can lead to serious health risks and extensive damage to your plumbing. Emergency plumbing services are essential to clear these clogs, stop the backup, and sanitize affected areas to prevent the spread of bacteria and other harmful contaminants.
Plumbing issues often crop up over holidays or special occasions, and if it is an emergency, professional plumbing companies will send a technician to your residential and commercial property immediately.
Conclusion
Preparation and prevention are the keys to securing your home from potential hurricane damage, and by implementing expert recommendations, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with Florida’s hurricane season, as waiting until the last minute to prepare your plumbing for a hurricane may lead to unnecessary stress and considerable property damage.
Taking proactive steps now to inspect, secure, and prepare your plumbing system can save thousands in potential repair costs and protect your family’s health and safety during the challenging hurricane season ahead. Remember, professional plumbing assistance is available to help ensure your home is properly prepared for whatever storms may come.