Did you know that your knowledge and maintenance of the plumbing in your home or business is a critical part of storm preparedness?  Before the local waters rise or your city’s sewage treatment system is overwhelmed by torrential rain, there are some important things that you can do now to prevent flood damage during severe weather.

Keep sewer lines clean and unobstructed.

This is very important if you want to prevent flood damage. Over time, the lateral sewer line that connects the plumbing in a building to the city sewer main can become clogged or damaged, causing sewage to drain slowly, back up, or allow water to seep in during heavy rains, especially in areas plagued by rising water tables.  The maintenance of this line is your responsibility.

• Have your sewer line professionally inspected.
• Keep roots of nearby trees trimmed to prevent them from entering and obstructing pipes.
• Replace old and damaged lines.
• In compliance with Tampa area building codes, you must have a sewer line cleanout installed outside your building to easily access your sewer line for cleaning and inspection. You can also open it during a sudden backup to prevent sewage from entering the building. Make sure you know its location and that the cap stays free of dirt and debris.
• Never connect guttering or French drains to your sewer line.  Stormwater runoff can quickly overwhelm your sewer system during heavy rains associated with severe weather.
• Never dispose of cooking oils and fats down the drain. They will congeal as they cool and build-up, reducing the capacity of drain and sewer pipes.

Consider backflow check valves.

Modern building codes in flood-prone areas may require the installation of a one-way valve that will prevent sewage from entering a building through drains and toilets. These are usually located where the sewer pipe enters the building. Doing this will greatly help prevent flood damage.

• Periodically unscrew the cap and make sure the flap inside is free from dirt and debris that can prevent it from closing all the way.
• Check the o-ring that seals the cap for damage, replace if necessary, then finger tighten the cap firmly. Do not overtighten, as the cap may crack.
• An older home may not have a check valve. You can have one installed by a plumber.

Call a professional to prevent flood damage.

Locally owned and operated, Bay Area Plumbing provides quality residential and commercial plumbing services in the Tampa Bay Metro area 24 hours a day.  Contact us now to schedule a service and prevent flood damage.