Look, if you’ve lived through a hurricane, you know the drill. Power goes out, water gets weird, and your plumbing system takes a beating you never saw coming.
The thing is, most people focus on boarding up windows and stocking food—which is smart—but they completely ignore their plumbing until water starts backing up into their living room.
Here’s what actually happens during these storms. Storm surge pushes saltwater into sewer systems, creating backflow that can flood your home with contaminated water.
Wind damage breaks pipes. Flooding overwhelms drainage systems. And when the power cuts out, your sump pump dies right when you need it most.
Before the Storm Hits
First thing—locate your main water shutoff valve. Yeah, right now. Most people have no clue where theirs is until they’re standing in ankle-deep water at 2 AM. It’s usually near where the water line enters your house, sometimes in a concrete box in your yard.
Clear your gutters and downspouts completely. Clogged drainage during heavy rain creates pressure that can back up into your foundation or basement. Drain Clog Removal Houston services get slammed after storms because people skip this basic step.
Check your sump pump if you have one. Pour water into the pit to make sure it kicks on. Battery backup systems are worth every penny—trust me on this one.
Protecting Your System
Shut off electricity to any electrical components near water—water heaters, sump pumps, anything in basements or crawl spaces that might flood. Water and electricity don’t negotiate.
For Commercial Plumbing Houston properties, this gets more complex. You’re dealing with multiple floors, larger systems, and potentially hundreds of people depending on working facilities. Document everything with photos before the storm hits.
Install backflow preventers on floor drains and toilets in flood-prone areas. These little devices can save you from sewage backing up into your space. Pipe Repair Services Houston companies install these year-round, but good luck getting one during hurricane season.
During and After
If flooding starts, shut off your main water supply immediately. Contaminated floodwater can get sucked back into your clean water system through cross-connections.
Don’t use toilets, sinks, or drains if you suspect sewer backup. That water carries bacteria that can make you seriously sick.
After the storm passes, don’t rush to turn everything back on. Residential Plumbing Services Houston professionals see this mistake constantly—people flip breakers before checking for damage, then deal with electrical fires on top of flood damage.
Have your system professionally inspected before using it again. Hidden damage from saltwater corrosion or debris can cause failures weeks later when you think you’re in the clear.
Bottom line: hurricanes are brutal on plumbing systems. A little preparation beats a lot of expensive repairs later.