Get A Sewer Inspection To Prepare For Hurricane Season
Should you get a sewer inspection in preparation for hurricane season? Yes, you should! Damaged or compromised sewer systems can lead to flooding in the event of a hurricane or powerful storm.
Hurricanes can cause thousands of dollars in damages to your property. Getting your sewer system ready, will help you steer clear of extra expenses that could have been avoided. Give yourself peace of mind before the storms start.
With hurricane season currently upon us, get your sewer checked to lower the risks of excessive damage.
What Should Be Checked in A Pre-Hurricane Sewer Inspection?
Some checks that your plumber will perform are obvious as they relate directly to your sewer lines. Others are a little more obscure, but just as important as you prepare your home for hurricanes. Here are some of the things that should be seen to as part of hurricane season preparations and how you can prepare for the check.
1. Trees with Root Issues
Trees that are loose in the ground or have shallow root systems are a big risk when it comes to hurricanes as they are most likely to be taken down by strong winds. Additionally, trees growing near sewer lines need to be checked carefully as well. Cracks in sewer lines cause nutrient rich seepage and cause tree roots to grow into the cracks and makes them worse. Trees with roots that have grown around sewer pipes cause as much trouble since they can rip out the pipes should hurricane winds get too strong. Tree root invasions should be seen to by a qualified plumber.
2. Gutters, Downspouts and Down Pours
A blocked gutter or downspout will do the opposite of channeling water away from your home. It will cause pools that spill over where there isn’t meant to be water and cause leaks.
Loosely attached gutters and downspouts are vulnerable to being ripped off in high winds and slamming into your home, car or family. Any gutters and downspouts that are rusty need to be replaced.
3. Do Your Internal Drains Clear Slowly?
If you’re expecting a hurricane, this is the last thing you’d be concerned about. When it comes to hurricane readiness, it’s an important thing for a plumber to do a thorough sewer inspection with a camera as a slow-running drain is an indication of a blockage somewhere deeper in the sewer line.
4. Know Where to Find the Water Pipe Mains
A plumber can show you where, and how, to turn off the main water valve. Temporarily turning off the water supply during a hurricane can save you major damage from plumbing floods should something get damaged. This is especially true if you’re forced to leave your home for a mandatory evacuation.
What To Do During a Storm?
1. Filling your bathtub will give you water for washing up and flushing the toilet. Make sure that you have a good supply of drinking water on hand too. If there is citywide damage to the water or sewer lines, it could be a while before water is restored.
2. Turn off the main water valve to prevent water contamination. If the neighborhood’s sewer system is compromised, your water could become contaminated; this makes it unfit for drinking.
3. Allow air into the plumbing system by opening a faucet as far away from the main line as possible.
After The Storm
First, make sure it’s safe to go outside. Then clear debris from drains, downspouts and gutters. Check if there’s damage to your plumbing:
- Look for bubbles when you turn on the water or flush a toilet. Bubbles are a sign of air trapped in the pipes. Conversely, they can point to a collection of debris in the pipe.
- Sewage backing up in the toilets, or bubbling up through the drains in your bathtubs, showers or sinks. If you see any sign of sewage, call for plumbing back-up immediately.
- Check that all gutters and downspouts are still firmly attached to where they should be.
- If everything looks in good working order, turn the main water valve back on. Do a quick check to make sure there are no obvious leaks.
When In Doubt, Call Art For A Sewer Inspection
With nearly 40 years of experience in fixing hurricane-damaged plumbing, Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning have seen and repaired it all. There’s no job too big or small for our plumbers to handle. Give us a call at 1-888-773-1524 to book your sewer inspection and get your home hurricane ready today.
