How to Keep Your Plumbing Safe during Storm Season

When storm season rolls around, most homeowners are focused on prepping the roof, windows, and yard for heavy rain and high winds. But what about your plumbing? That network of pipes is just as vulnerable to the wrath of nature. Neglecting to batten down the hatches can lead to catastrophic water damage, sewage backups, and plumbing repairs pricier than an all-inclusive beach vacation.

Trust us, you don’t want to be stuck waist-deep in a flooded basement or dealing with a busted water heater in the midst of a torrential downpour. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way towards keeping your plumbing high and dry. From inspecting fixtures to installing backflow preventers, we’re covering all the storm-proofing strategies to protect those precious pipes.

So batten down the hatches and grab your plunger – we’re about to dive into making sure your plumbing system can weather any storm that blows its way. With these tips, you can kick back with a cold beverage while the rain rages outside, secure in the knowledge that your pipes are safe from Old Man Winter’s wrath.

Preparing for Storm Season

An ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of cure when it comes to storm-proofing your plumbing. A little DIY maintenance before wild weather hits can save you a world of headaches and soggy messes. Think of it as plumbing prepping 101 to keep your pipes from throwing a temper tantrum.

First up, do a little reconnaissance around your home’s exterior. Clogged gutters and downspouts can turn into raging rivers of water during heavy rain. All that runoff needs to be diverted far away from your foundation to avoid basement floods. Grab a ladder and scoop out any leaves, twigs or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures blocking the free flow of water.

While you’re up there, keep an eye peeled for any missing shingles or roof damage that could let moisture seep in and wreak havoc. Patch any holes or cracks to prevent a dreaded ceiling waterfall scenario.

Next, do an interior plumbing inspection to sniff out any existing leaks. Even a tiny drip can turn into a big ol’ plumbing problem if left unchecked. Check under sinks, around toilets and behind appliances for any telltale signs of moisture. If you spot any damp areas, dry them out and make the necessary repairs before the storm hits.

Don’t forget to insulate any exposed pipes while you’re at it, especially if they run along exterior walls. That added layer of protection can prevent pipes from freezing up and bursting when winter storms bring Arctic temperatures.

This is also a good time to install backflow prevention devices if you don’t already have them. These handy little valves stop contaminated water from being sucked back into your plumbing during flooding – avoiding a nasty sewage situation. Your local hardware store should have backflow preventers that can be easily installed on sinks, bathtubs, showers and the like.

One last outdoor step – do a little plumbing-friendly landscaping. Trim back any overhanging tree branches to prevent them from crashing down on pipes or gutters in high winds. Falling timber is a surefire way to crack or puncture your plumbing.

With those preventative measures checked off, you’ll be ready to tell any incoming storms to pipe down! Your plumbing will be as prepared as a Boy Scout to handle whatever precipitation gets hurled its way.

During the Storm

The skies have opened up and the rain is coming down in buckets. Time to go into plumbing protection mode while you’re riding out the storm. First things first, keep an eye on your water pressure. If it starts acting funky or the flow seems off, that could mean you’ve sprung an underground leak thanks to the shifting soil and debris.

Jot down when and where you noticed the weird water flow so you can get a plumber out to locate and fix the issue once the storm passes. For now, it’s probably best to avoid running any faucets or flushing toilets until the pressure stabilizes to prevent making any cracks or leaks worse.

Speaking of toilets, go ahead and chuck a couple old towels over the bowls along with any tubs, sinks or showers that aren’t being used. It’ll help prevent any nasty backflow situations if the storm drains get overly backed up. You really don’t want sewage volcano action going off in your bathroom.

Make sure you know where your home’s main water shut-off valve is located too. If you do get hit with a major leak mid-storm, you’ll need to kill that water supply fast to avoid an interior flood situation.

While we’re on the topic of water damage, you might want to throw up some plastic sheeting or saran wrap as a water-proof barrier around any appliances or fixtures close to the floor like toilets, washing machines, dishwashers and such. Especially important if you’ve got any of those in the basement where water tends to pool up.

If you do end up with some minor flooding despite your best efforts, don’t be a hero and go wading through any standing water. That stuff can be straight-up nasty with all the backed-up sewage and bacteria. Just open up some windows and doors once it’s safe to allow airflow and quicker drying.

After the Storm

Phew, you survived the storm! Time to do a full home inspection and see how your plumbing fared. Do a slow, careful walkthrough checking every room for any signs of moisture or water damage. Keep an eye out for wet walls, ceilings, floors, under cabinets – anywhere water could have potentially crept in.

If you do find any damp spots, don’t panic. Just grab some towels and mops to clean up any standing pools of water. Crank up any fans or dehumidifiers you’ve got to dry out those wet areas and prevent future mold issues. Try to locate the source of the leak too and make any quick fixes if possible.

While you’re doing your leak patrol, keep your ears peeled for any phantom dripping or running water sounds too. Those could indicate you’ve got a cracked pipe that’s letting water slowly seep out somewhere. If you can’t find the culprit, you might need to call in a leak detection service with their specialized tools and expertise.

Once you’ve confirmed there are no active leaks, it’s time to flush out your whole plumbing system. All that heavy rain and potential flooding can really stir up a nasty soup of contaminants like dirt, debris and bacteria that gets pulled into your pipes. So run all your faucets for several minutes, flush every toilet, and run a couple cycles on the dishwasher and washing machine to clear everything out.

You’ll also want to give any tubs, sinks and appliances that may have been exposed to backed-up water a good disinfecting. A simple solution of bleach and water should do the trick for sanitizing those surfaces. If you’ve got a whole-home water filtration system, make sure to check that it’s still working properly too and replace any filters that got gunked up.

For any major plumbing repairs that are needed like cracked pipes, water heater replacements or underground sewer line fixes, it’s probably time to call in the pros. Trying to DIY any of those bigger jobs is just asking for trouble and potentially making a bigger mess of things. Leave the heavy-duty plumbing overhauls to the experts with their specialized tools and training.

Actually, while you’ve got those plumbers out, you might want to look into having them install a backup battery for your sump pump too if you don’t already have one. It’s a small investment that could really save you from a flooded basement nightmare if the power ever goes out during a storm.

Preventive Maintenance Tips

Once the storm has passed and you’ve dealt with any plumbing woes, it’s smart to be proactive about preventing future pipe problems. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way towards avoiding flooding fiascos down the road.

At the top of your home improvement to-do list should be scheduling routine plumbing inspections. Having a professional give your system a thorough check-up at least once a year lets them catch small issues before they escalate into big, costly messes. It’s like an affordable insurance policy against sewage nightmares and waterlogged basements.

During the tuneup, have the plumber check for any aging, corroded pipes that might need replacing. Outdated materials like cast iron and galvanized steel are notorious for springing pinhole leaks as they get up there in years. Upgrading to more durable copper or PVC can prevent those slow drips from compounding into a deluge.

While they’re poking around, have them also take a look at fixtures like toilets, showers and sinks. Swapping out any old, inefficient models with WaterSense ones can conserve H2O usage and put less strain on your pipes.

For some added leak protection, you could install water sensor alarms near appliances, heaters and other damp areas. These little gizmos will sound the alarm at the first signs of moisture, allowing you to get ahead of any slowly developing floods.

You might also consider splurging on a whole-home leak detection system that automatically cuts off your water supply if it detects abnormal usage patterns. It’s like hiring an affordable plumbing security guard to keep watch 24/7.

Don’t forget to brief your family on basic plumbing protocols too. Make sure everyone knows where the main shut-off valve is located and how to operate it during emergencies. You’ll also want a few basic tools and supplies on hand for minor leaks and clogs – plunger, wrench, epoxy putty and the like.

With some preventative plumbing TLC, you can feel confident your pipes will hold their ground when wild weather strikes. Develop good habits now, and you’ll avoid getting hosed by nasty flooding surprises later on.

Keeping Calm and Plumbing On

When storm season hits, the last thing you want is to be frantically bailing water out of your basement or dealing with a backed-up sewer situation. A little preventative plumbing prep can go a long way towards keeping your home high and dry.

From inspecting fixtures to installing backflow preventers, we’ve covered all the storm-proofing strategies to protect those precious pipes. With these tips under your toolbelt, you can kick back and tell nature to pipe down – your plumbing is ready for whatever weather gets hurled its way.

If you do find yourself in a plumbing predicament, don’t try to be a hero. Call in the experts at Fox Plumbing and Heating to get your system back on track. Our team of certified plumbers have the skills and tools to quickly diagnose and repair any leaks, backups or water damage. Why risk making an even bigger mess?

At the first sign of plumbing woes, give Fox Plumbing a call at (206) 654-4986. With our help, you can weather any storm in plumbing paradise.