Summer is almost here, and that means we’re in the zone for strong summer storms, including hurricanes. While your sewer system can handle a lot, it’s still important to make sure you and your home are ready in case of an influx of heavy rain and possibly some flooding. Here are some hurricane preparedness tips for your home and sewer system so you can stay safe!
1. Have Your Sewer Pipes Inspected and Cleaned
The heavy rains that come with summer storms and hurricanes can actually overload your sewer system with buckets of water. If your sewer pipes already have debris buildup inside, they may not be able to handle this large amount of rainfall and it can back up into your home. This debris can include improperly flushed items, hair, grease, and even tree roots that have crept their way into your pipes.
It’s important to have your sewer system inspected from time to time to make sure the pipes are clear and able to handle whatever waste or water comes their way. It’s easier (and cheaper!) to clear your pipes before a problem occurs than to deal with broken pipes and a flood.
2. Know The Location of Your Water Shut-Off Valve
If your pipes get backed up, they could lead to a flood in your home. In the event of a flood due to backed up pipes, it’s important to stop using your water–that means not turning on the sink or flushing the toilet. This is because you don’t want to contribute any more water to your pipes until they are cleared, otherwise you will just contribute to the flooding.
The best way to make sure water does not continue flowing through your pipes until the backup is cleared is to turn off the water in your home. You can do this easily on your own as long as you know where your water shut-off valve is. The time to locate this shut-off valve is before there’s a problem–not when you’re in the middle of a flood emergency!
3. Stock Up With Bottled Water
If you do need to shut off the water in your home, you want to make sure you still have drinking water. During a storm, sewer companies may be inundated with emergency calls due to flooding, so you may not receive your usual prompt service call. Therefore, you want to make sure you are prepared in case you have to wait a bit before your problem gets fixed. A stock of bottled drinking water is key to making sure you stay comfortable and hydrated for as long as your water needs to be shut off. Make sure you have some extra water, too, as you will need it for things like brushing teeth and washing dishes.
4. Have Your Sump Pump Serviced
If your home has a sump pump, make sure you have it serviced before a major storm hits. Sump pumps are important in areas that experience flooding, as they literally pump water away from your home to prevent floods. Your sump pump may be in your basement or outside your home. It’s important to have your sump pump serviced yearly, and right before storm season is the perfect time!
At A&L Cesspool, our experts will make sure your home and sewer system is ready for the next big storm. With the above hurricane preparedness tips for your home and sewer system, you are sure to be ready whenever a storm hits. As always, we are always here for you in case of a sewer emergency!
