Hurricane season also brings the risk of heavy rains, flooding, and strong winds that can put Charleston homes at serious risk. This is especially the case when it comes to your home’s plumbing system.
The combination of rising floodwaters and storm damage can lead to costly repairs and water contamination that can pose a health risk to your family. Preparing your plumbing system ahead of hurricane season can minimize damage during storms. In this guide, we’ll cover practical plumbing tips to help you get ahead of the storm and keep your home safe.
Understanding Flood Risks to Your Plumbing System
Charleston’s coastal location makes flooding a common threat during hurricane season. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm your drainage system, causing water to back up into your basement or crawl space. Floodwaters can carry a number of contaminants that can be a risk to your plumbing system and the quality of your water. Flooding can also create structural damage in your home that leads to leaks and plumbing failures long after the storms have passed.
Flood Protection Strategies for Your Plumbing System
Flood protection begins with minimizing the chances of water entering your home through your plumbing system. Ensure that all exterior drains, gutters, and downspouts are clear of debris before hurricane season begins.
A blocked drainage system can force water toward your foundation and increase the risk of flooding. Always inspect your home’s drainage around the foundation. Proper grading that slopes away from your home directs rainwater runoff away from the foundation and plumbing entry points.
To prevent sewage from entering your home during floods, consider installing flood protection devices. When the public sewer system is overwhelmed by stormwater, wastewater can flow backward into your drains. One effective option is a backwater valve or a backflow preventer. These devices allow wastewater to flow out of your system, but they automatically close to block sewage from coming back into your home. Having one of our professional plumbers install a backwater valve can protect your home’s plumbing and reduce the risk of costly sewage damage.
Maintain and Test Your Sump Pump Regularly
Many Charleston homes have sump pumps to manage groundwater and prevent basement flooding. During hurricane season, your sump pump is a critical line of defense against water intrusion. Make sure to have your sump pump professionally inspected and serviced by a member of our team before hurricane season starts to ensure it works properly.
We can check that the sump pump’s discharge pipe directs water far away from your home’s foundation and that there are no clogs or damage. If your home does not have a sump pump, contact a member of our team at Rudd Plumbing Heating and Air to discuss whether installing one would be a beneficial flood protection investment for your home.
Consider installing a battery backup for your sump pump. Power outages frequently occur during hurricane season, and a backup battery ensures your sump pump keeps running even if electricity fails.
Know How to Shut Off Your Main Water Supply Quickly
One of the most important steps in preparing for a hurricane is knowing how to turn off your home’s main water supply. In the event of plumbing damage or flooding, shutting off the water quickly can help prevent leaks from causing major water damage in your home.
Make sure that you know where the main shutoff valve for your water supply is, and make sure it is easily accessible. If it’s difficult to reach or you have not used it in a while, test it before hurricane season begins to make sure it functions properly. If you are unsure where it is or how to operate it, our team can visit your home to locate it for you.
Make sure that you prepare tools, such as a valve wrench or pliers, to help turn off stubborn valves during emergencies. Keeping these tools in a designated emergency kit will save valuable time if you need to act fast.
Protect Outdoor Plumbing and Equipment
During hurricanes, exposed outdoor plumbing fixtures, like hose bibs and irrigation systems, are vulnerable to damage from high winds and flooding. Take time before a storm hits to disconnect all garden hoses. Once hurricane season passes and colder weather approaches, be sure to drain outdoor faucets before winter to prevent frozen pipes. While freezing temperatures in November are very rare in Charleston, they can occur later in the season.
Inspect Sewer Cleanouts and Vent Pipes
Sewer cleanouts provide access to your sewer line, which is useful when you need to do maintenance. That said, they can also be an entry point for floodwater if not secured. During a pre-season maintenance visit, we can make sure that sewer cleanout caps are securely fastened and watertight to minimize water infiltration. We can also inspect the plumbing vents on the roof of your home to make sure there is proper ventilation in your system and no clogs. This will minimize pressure, helping prevent backups during flooding.
Prepare for Potential Water Contamination
Floodwaters often carry contaminants that can infiltrate your home’s water supply during a hurricane. To minimize health risks for your family, backflow prevention devices are essential to protect against sewage backups from the main line. After a storm, avoid using tap water until local authorities confirm it is safe. Have bottled water or stored drinking water ready as part of your emergency supplies.
Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection Before Hurricane Season
A thorough plumbing inspection is an essential part of hurricane preparation. Experienced plumbers can identify vulnerabilities such as corroded pipes, faulty valves, or drainage issues that increase flood risks.
Schedule your plumbing inspection early to give our team time to address any repairs that you may need. This will help to minimize emergency repair needs during a hurricane. Routine annual maintenance also helps to keep your system as efficient as possible.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Plumbing System for Hurricane Resilience
Upgrading your plumbing system before hurricane season offers critical protection and long-term benefits. Modern materials, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), resist corrosion better than older metal pipes. PEX, in particular, is more flexible and resistant to soil shifts, making it a strong choice for storm-prone areas.
Installing backwater valves prevents sewage backups from entering your home, protecting your family’s health. Battery-powered sump pumps remove water during outages, which prevents basement flooding and water damage. These upgrades can also help extend the lifespan of your appliances. Hurricane-resilient plumbing systems increase your home’s protection and may support insurance claims or mitigation efforts, though they do not automatically lower premiums.
Be Proactive: Protect Your Plumbing System
Hurricane season in Charleston can bring intense storms that threaten your home’s plumbing system and your family’s safety. By taking proactive steps with your plumbing system before a hurricane, you can reduce risks and avoid costly damage.
In addition to emergency plumbing service, we offer installation of sump pumps, backflow preventers, water purification systems, and more. Since 2014, Rudd Plumbing Heating and Air has proudly served the Greater Charleston area. We understand the challenges of hurricane season and can help you face storms with confidence.
Contact Rudd Plumbing Heating and Air today to schedule your hurricane season plumbing inspection!
