You don’t have to live in Florida to know how much damage hurricanes can bring, so let’s be proactive and get ready for the stormy season ahead.
Follow these five tips to help keep your plumbing functioning after the storm.
1. CLEAR ALL DRAINS AND SEPTIC TANKS
Check your outside cleanout that water is flowing without obstruction. If you live in the western communities, make sure your septic tank is pumped and cleaned before the heavy rains. Make sure they’re clear of debris and ready to handle the runoff from a heavy downpour. These preventative measures relieve underground pipes from the stress of compacted, rain-soaked soil.
2. CHECK YOUR IRRIGATION PUMP AND OUTSIDE FILTRATION SYSTEMS
If you have a well or irrigation pump system, make sure it is properly strapped and secured, preferably to a concrete slab. Any corroded pipes or leaky PVC will easily break should the storm debris hit the system.
3. SHUT OFF YOUR WATER
You don’t want to look for the main water valve in the middle of a downpour, so locate it before the storm strikes, and be sure it turns off and on. Be prepared to shut if off before the storm hits. This prevents contaminated water from entering your home’s supply. Open a faucet farthest away from the mainline so air can enter the system, and you’re ready to ration water.
4. SECURE THE WATER HEATER
Your home plumbing system doesn’t need the extra pressure of heating and storing water in a tank during a flood, so shut off the gas or electricity that fuels the water heater. This safety strategy also turns the appliance into a convenient source for gallons of potable water.
5. DO A POST-STORM INSPECTION
Florida weather clears up as fast as it blows in, but give your plumbing a good inspection once the flooding recedes. Turn your water back on at the main valve and give faucets and toilets a test run. Check the yard for shrubs or tree roots that can threaten or damage your pipes.
CALL HI-TECH PLUMBING FOR 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air will be providing 24/7 emergency service before and after Hurricane Dorian. We will be available to assist you with any plumbing or air conditioning needs as soon as it is safe for our technicians to be out on the road. Please note we will have a live on-call manager available at 561-790-6966.
This article from Trane offers helpful tips to protect your A/C system during a storm.
