How to Prepare Your Plumbing Before Hurricane Season

If you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes, it is important to have plumbing prepared before a storm hits. Here are some things to do: Anchor down your water heater, clear your drains and keep plenty of bottled water on hand. You should also evacuate valuables to higher ground in case your home gets damaged. Once the storm passes, you can check for any damage or signs of leaks. The most obvious signs of damage include bubbles when flushing.

Anchoring down your water heater

One way to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season is by anchoring down your water heater. The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) requires water heaters to be braced in some areas. However, the UPC didn’t specify how many anchors use – it only required two points of anchorage. Although the UPC remains in effect today, it is not clear if this measure is adequate for all areas.

Clearing drains

Before a hurricane season arrives, it’s important to check your drainage system for any problems. Heavy rain can back up sewer lines, causing a major plumbing problem. To prevent a sewer backup, you should first pour water down your drain to see if it takes longer than normal to drain. If the water drains slower than usual, contact a professional plumber to help you. Also, remember to schedule routine maintenance on your sewer main line to avoid plumbing issues in hurricane season.

In addition to clogged drain lines, you should check for fallen electrical lines in your property. Assume that a downed electrical line is live. Hurricane season is an unfortunate reality for many Floridians, but there are some steps you can take now to minimize your plumbing damage and save money on a plumber’s bill. Clearing drains is the first step to a hurricane preparedness plan, so take the time to do it now!

While the weather forecast calls for above-average storm activity this hurricane season, you can still prepare your home for flooding by clearing your drains and gutters. These steps will not only prevent sewage backups but will protect your home’s foundation and sewer systems. In addition to clearing your drains, you should also hire a plumbing company to perform sewer line jetting and video inspections to ensure that all underground pipes are clear.

Whether you’re a resident of Florida or another part of the country, hurricanes are always a threat. Be prepared with hurricane preparation tips and supplies. A plumbing disaster can be devastating, so take precautions before the season starts. Clearing your drains will help water flow through your gutters and drains, minimizing the risk of flooding. Clearing your gutters and drains before a storm will reduce your risk of a water emergency and keep you safe from potential flooding.

Having plenty of bottled water on hand

There are many benefits to having enough bottled water in your home, and you should keep them in cool, dark locations. The water will keep for six months or more in a tightly-covered container. Depending on how many people are in your household, one gallon per day is a good rule of thumb for drinking and hygiene. It is also wise to stock up on at least two weeks worth of water per person, per household.

In addition to bottled water, you should keep your faucets shut. This is especially important during hurricanes, as the water in taps can become contaminated during the storm. If possible, try to install a backup power system. These systems will reduce the stress on your plumbing system and keep your family comfortable and safe during the storm. Regardless of your situation, following these tips will help you prepare your plumbing before hurricane season.

Before a hurricane strikes, start stocking bottled water. Experts recommend having at least two weeks’ supply on hand. This includes enough water for drinking, flushing toilets, and sanitary purposes. Before a hurricane, consider trimming trees on your property. Tree trimming reduces breakaway debris and cutting down large trees may help your home survive a hurricane.

Make sure to inspect your drains, septic tanks, and plumbing for any damage. Tree roots may interfere with piping, resulting in additional damage. Make sure to clear your drains regularly to avoid a septic tank backup. If you find an unpleasant odor coming from your drains, clean it immediately. If the problem persists, call your local utility company and see if they can help you prepare.

Moving valuables

In addition to storing your belongings in a hurricane-rated facility, you should also purchase extra chargers and batteries for your cell phones. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, you should consider designating someone to store your valuables for you.

If you live in a coastal area, you should also consider flood insurance to protect your possessions. If possible, board windows and secure your valuables to avoid damage from water. While most items can be replaced, some items cannot. In such a case, you should set up proper protection. This will prevent damage to your items and your home. After all, nothing can replace the priceless items that you have collected over time.

If you have recently purchased a new home, you should check your shutters to ensure that the windows will stay dry. If you have valuable art, consider hiring a professional art handler to wrap it so that it is not damaged by water. Moreover, you should keep an inventory of your household goods and their value so that you can claim insurance for the damaged items. Finally, you should make portable emergency kits, containing a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of crucial information.

Once the hurricane season starts, it is important to start thinking about how you’ll prepare for the weather. Keep in mind that hurricanes often spin tornadoes. While hurricanes are a common threat, preparing for these storms by moving valuables to higher ground or into a safe storage facility can be the best way to protect your possessions. Whether you live in the South, North Carolina, or any other location, you need to prepare for hurricane season in advance.

Preventing backups

Before hurricane season arrives, make sure your drains are clear and unclogged so water can flow freely. Test each drain by running water through it – if the water runs freely, it is clean and unclogged. If not, it may be time to install a check valve for your plumbing system. During a hurricane, heavy rain and flash flooding will cause your sewer system to work overtime.

The first thing to do when preparing your plumbing system is to inspect your septic tank and sewer line. If your pipes have cracks, a major backup could occur. Contact a plumber to inspect the pipes and repair them before the storm hits. Another thing to do is to fill a bathtub with water. If you can’t find the shut-off valve, you may need a pipe wrench or long-handled plumbing wrench. If you don’t have one, call a plumber immediately.

Another important step to prevent a backup in your sewer is to clear any slow drains. Even the smallest clogs can cause a major backup in your sewer system, so you’ll want to ensure that your pipes are clear of clogs before the storm hits. In addition, you should schedule routine maintenance on your sewer main line to avoid major plumbing issues. It may be necessary to hire a professional plumber to clean drains if they’re clogged.

In addition to preparing for flooding, you should also prepare your plumbing for contaminated water. Too much rain can cause your pipes to clog and flood, resulting in sewage and contaminated water. During a hurricane, this water could carry pollutants or sewage. Some localities even get brown water, which contains disease-causing organisms. If you’re not prepared, you can’t fully enjoy the storm.