Preparing your home for a hurricane can be quite overwhelming. Everyone knows to buy food, water, and batteries but there’s a lot more that goes into hurricane preparation that isn’t necessarily common knowledge—especially when it comes to your home’s plumbing. The plumbing of your home is essential for your everyday life, so don’t neglect preparing it for a hurricane.

Not sure how to prepare? Don’t worry. We’ve got a list of five big tips to help you prepare your home’s plumbing for a hurricane:

Clear sump pump and drains of debris

Flooding is a very common disaster that occurs with hurricanes (especially in Richmond) so maintaining your sump pump before hurricane season is the most ideal way to prevent flooding in your home. Sump pumps help prevent flooding by clearing water from around your home, so if it isn’t working properly during the hurricane then your home is at risk for flooding.

It is also a great idea to ensure that your drains and gutters are also free of debris. Because hurricanes bring along heavy rain, you want to be sure that the water has some place to go other than your roof or sewage. These kinds of preparations could save your a lot in plumbing repairs later.

Survey the sump pump

Not only do you want to clear your sump pump and drainage of debris, but you want to ensure that the sump pump and drainage is working properly before the storm comes. When checking, you’ll want to ensure that it automatically comes on and begins pumping. The sump pump will be a vital part of keeping your home free from flooding, so be sure to check on it before the storm starts and have any repairs or maintenance completed early.

Check plumbing throughout the storm

While you should never go outside during a hurricane or storm, you can still check on the plumbing inside your home. As long as the power is still on, the sump pump should still be working, but excessive water use or debris around the drains inside your home could cause it to not pump effectively. You should definitely be mindful of your water usage throughout the storm.

If you evacuate, turn off main water valve

If flooding begins or you evacuate your home for any reason, be sure to turn the main water valve off. By doing this, you’ll help prevent flood water from contaminating your water supply. Flood water can contain very dangerous substances, such as chemicals, feces, and other gross matters that you don’t want your family drinking. Protect your family by shutting the main water valve off if flooding begins or if you evacuate.

After the storm, be sure to inspect

Whether you evacuate or stay put for the storm, you always want to be sure you inspect your home’s plumbing once the storm is over. If there is debris around the sewer drains, gutters, or other drains, be sure to clear those out to help your system pump properly. When checking your plumbing after a storm, you’ll want to look out for leaks, cracks, or discolored water.

If you stumble across any plumbing issues after a hurricane, you will need a certified plumber to inspect and repair your system and ensure that your family’s water supply is safe.  With Mike Wilson Plumbing, you can trust that your plumbing is in good hands. We offer expert plumbing services at honest prices.

Contact us today!