Residents of South Florida know Hurricane Season spans from June to November each year and preparing for a storm has become second nature. But between readying your emergency preparedness kit and stocking up on supplies for your family, sometimes it’s easy to forget about preparing your plumbing. Plumbing damage caused by hurricanes can cause hardship in the wake of a storm, so Plumbing Experts encourages homeowners to prepare now.
Here’s a Hurricane Preparedness Checklist from a plumbing point-of-view:
Preparing Now for Hurricane Season:
- Clean out gutters, downspouts and drains to ensure water will drain as quickly as possible
- Have a sump pump and water alarm with battery backup installed. If you have these items, check that it’s in good working order and have it serviced if necessary
- Ensure your service lines, including your water, gas and electrical line, are properly sealed
- Keep a supply of bottled water for drinking and cooking
Preparing Just Before a Storm is Expected to Hit:
- Fill your bathtub with water to use for tasks such as cleaning dishes, bathing, or flushing toilets
- Turn off the main water supply to prevent your household supply from getting contaminated
- Turn off the electricity/gas to the water heater
- Elevate any systems (furnace/water heater/electric panel) if susceptible to flooding
After the Storm:
- Thoroughly check your plumbing, inspecting all plumbing fixtures, to ensure everything remained in working order
- Check with local authorities and wait until you know it’s safe to turn the main water supply back on. If you notice discolored water or leaks/cracks, turn it back off and call Plumbing Experts
- Survey your property for fallen trees/debris
- If flooding occurred, remove soaked carpeting/furniture to avoid mold and air out your home
- Stay away from flooded areas in/around your home to avoid risk of contamination or electrical shock
For an all-encompassing Hurricane Preparedness Checklist, including what to include in your supply kit, how to plan for an evacuation and to test your hurricane knowledge, check out this free guide from FEMA.
If you’re in need of any plumbing maintenance to better prepare your home for Hurricane Season, give Plumbing Experts a call at Palm Beach (561) 279-2460 or Broward (954) 786-0477 or contact us here.
