When a tropical storm or hurricane is in the forecast, most Florida homeowners think of plywood, sandbags, and bottled water. But one critical system often gets overlooked—your plumbing and water systems. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we want to help you stay safe and minimize damage before, during, and after a storm hits.
Before the Storm: Get Storm-Ready
1. Shut Off the Main Water Valve (If Evacuating):
If you’re leaving your home or anticipate a significant storm surge, turning off the main water valve helps prevent flooding caused by broken or shifted pipes.
If you’re leaving your home or anticipate a significant storm surge, turning off the main water valve helps prevent flooding caused by broken or shifted pipes.
2. Clear Out The Pipes
Backed-up drains are more likely to become overloaded after a flood. Test each faucet and toilet to ensure that the water flows as it should. Slow drains and leaks might indicate a problem with your sewage or septic system, which can quickly be overrun by floodwater
Backed-up drains are more likely to become overloaded after a flood. Test each faucet and toilet to ensure that the water flows as it should. Slow drains and leaks might indicate a problem with your sewage or septic system, which can quickly be overrun by floodwater
3. Inspect Your Sump Pump (If You Have One):
Make sure your sump pump is in working condition. Consider adding a battery backup to prevent flooding if the power goes out.
Make sure your sump pump is in working condition. Consider adding a battery backup to prevent flooding if the power goes out.
4. Clean Gutters and Drains:
Clogged gutters and storm drains can lead to water backups that may affect your sewer line. Ensure proper water flow away from your home.
Clogged gutters and storm drains can lead to water backups that may affect your sewer line. Ensure proper water flow away from your home.
5. Secure Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures:
Hose bibs, irrigation systems, and outdoor spigots should be shut off and insulated. Disconnect and store garden hoses to reduce damage from flying debris or pressure surges.
Hose bibs, irrigation systems, and outdoor spigots should be shut off and insulated. Disconnect and store garden hoses to reduce damage from flying debris or pressure surges.
6. Schedule a Pre-Storm Plumbing Inspection:
A licensed plumber can check for vulnerabilities like tree root intrusion, weak pipe joints, or slow drainage—issues that could become serious under storm stress.
A licensed plumber can check for vulnerabilities like tree root intrusion, weak pipe joints, or slow drainage—issues that could become serious under storm stress.
During the Storm: Stay Safe, Minimize Risk
1. Avoid Using Plumbing During Lightning Storms:
Believe it or not, lightning can travel through plumbing systems. Avoid showers, baths, or doing laundry when lightning is near.
Believe it or not, lightning can travel through plumbing systems. Avoid showers, baths, or doing laundry when lightning is near.
2. Monitor for Flooding or Unusual Sounds:
Keep an ear out for gurgling drains, dripping water, or other signs of water intrusion or backup. If safe, document the issue and shut off your main valve if needed.
Keep an ear out for gurgling drains, dripping water, or other signs of water intrusion or backup. If safe, document the issue and shut off your main valve if needed.
3. Fill The Bathtubs and Other Containers with Water
Each person in your home should have at least a three-day supply of drinking water. Don’t forget about pets, too. Fill the bathtub(s) with water to use for non-sterilized tasks, such as flushing the toilet.
Each person in your home should have at least a three-day supply of drinking water. Don’t forget about pets, too. Fill the bathtub(s) with water to use for non-sterilized tasks, such as flushing the toilet.
4. Protect Your Water Heater:
If your water heater is located in a flood-prone area, shut off the power and water supply to prevent damage and contamination.
If your water heater is located in a flood-prone area, shut off the power and water supply to prevent damage and contamination.
After the Storm: Assess & Repair Promptly
1. Check for Broken Pipes or Leaks:
Inspect both visible and hidden plumbing (under sinks, behind toilets, outside spigots) for leaks or signs of pressure loss. Flooding and ground shifting can cause unseen pipe damage. After heavy rains, soil will become loose and trees and other landscaping may become uprooted, which could also damage or displace underground water and sewer lines.
2. Run Faucets to Flush the System:
If the water has been off or under a boil advisory, flush your plumbing system for a few minutes before regular use.
If the water has been off or under a boil advisory, flush your plumbing system for a few minutes before regular use.
3. Listen for Unusual Noises:
Whistling, banging, or gurgling may indicate air in your pipes or storm-related damage. If it persists, call a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Whistling, banging, or gurgling may indicate air in your pipes or storm-related damage. If it persists, call a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
4. Watch for Slow Drains or Backups:
Stormwater can infiltrate sewer lines or overwhelm septic systems. If you’re noticing backups or slow drains, it’s best to have a professional inspect the system right away.
Stormwater can infiltrate sewer lines or overwhelm septic systems. If you’re noticing backups or slow drains, it’s best to have a professional inspect the system right away.
5. Schedule a Post-Storm Plumbing Inspection:
Even if everything seems fine, a quick inspection can catch hidden damage before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) issue.
Even if everything seems fine, a quick inspection can catch hidden damage before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) issue.
Don’t Wait for the Next Storm
Florida weather is unpredictable—but your plumbing doesn’t have to be. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we offer pre- and post-storm inspections to help you stay ahead of any potential plumbing problems.
From dripping faucets to clogged drains, homes across Florida face common plumbing issues just like anywhere else. However, Florida’s humid climate and hard water can worsen these problems. The combination of moisture and mineral buildup often speeds up pipe corrosion, leading to issues like low water pressure, frequent leaks, inconsistent water temperatures and more.
Florida homeowners need to determine the age of their water heater to effectively schedule maintenance or prepare to have a plumber install a new unit.