Ohio is not the first place one thinks of as a state that commonly suffers hurricane damage. Infamous hurricanes such as 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and 2012’s Sandy smashed into Ohio. Even tropical storms generate lots of damage, such as 2015’s Tropical Storm Bill which caused extensive flooding in the Dayton area and greatly hurt the state’s soybean crop. Homeowners can help minimize storm damage to plumbing by following these helpful tips.
Check Drains and Downspouts
Tropical storms, hurricanes, and noreasters dump huge amounts of water onto homes. All drains need to be checked for blockages. Gutters need to be cleaned. Make sure downspouts are firmly attached and are free from any brush or debris that could cause water to back up and flood. Standing floodwaters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and illnesses like salmonella.
Get a Sump Pump
If a home or building has a history of flooding in the basement, invest in a sump pump. Talk to a professional plumber like AA Plumbing in Mason OH for recommendations on how large a pump is needed and how to operate it when the plumber isn’t there.
Turn Off the Water
When the storm begins, turn off the water in the home. Everyone living in the home needs to know how to do this in case of emergency. The large amounts of rain pick up contaminated substances like animal corpses and fertilizers which can then get into public and private water pipes. This contaminated water breeds bacteria that cause illness. By turning off the water, homeowners lessen the chance of contracting water-borne illnesses like E. coli once the water goes down.
Get the Number of an Emergency Plumber
If home or business owners do not have an emergency plumber now, call one before the storm hits. One’s regular plumber may not be able to help if the storm is particularly bad. Have the numbers written down and not just stored in phones or on speed dial in case the Internet is knocked out. Find out where land-line phones are before the storm hits in case the home or business does not already have a land-line phone to contact an emergency plumber like AA Plumbing.
