Hurricanes can be frightening – and dangerous. Even when hunkered down at home, the threat of hurricane damage can be incredibly scary. Heavy storms put stress on drainage systems and pipes, threatening the safety of your drinking water and the integrity of your property. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect your family and home when a storm is approaching. 

Before diving into your plan of action, though, it helps to understand the impact hurricanes have on your home. Here are just a few of the ways a big storm could damage your property:

Pipe Damage and Gas Leaks

Hurricanes often lead to flooding, which can do a number on your home’s pipes. Hidden leaks are all too common in the aftermath of a storm. These leaks aren’t always obvious to the naked eye, though, so you’ll want to be on the watch for red flags like wet spots in your yard or increases on your water bill. 

One of the more dangerous side effects of hurricanes is the potential for gas leaks. Flooding and high winds can damage gas lines without you ever realizing there’s an issue. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, so a compound is added to gas to give it a distinctive rotten eggs odor in order to make it more detectable. If your home is connected to gas lines, you’ll want to call in the professionals for an inspection if you smell natural gas odor after a big storm, just in case. 

Additionally, if you or your family are experiencing headaches, nausea or other sickness symptoms, it’s possible that carbon monoxide poisoning is the culprit. During a major storm like a hurricane, exhaust vents for gas appliances can become dislodged or damaged, which causes dangerous fumes to become trapped inside your home. These fumes may be odorless and can go undetected by your senses until unusual symptoms are experienced by people and pets.

Basement and Crawl Space Floods

Few homes in low-lying areas have basements, and for good reason: coastal areas sitting at or near sea level are especially prone to flooding during storms. Many properties do, on the other hand, have crawl spaces. A flooded basement or crawl space can create serious problems for your home. Regardless of whether you’re taking on water because of a deluge, a sewer backup, or because of leaking pipes, you’ll want to take action as soon as you realize there’s an issue.

Grab a wet vac or turn on your sump pump to clear the space of water. You’ll then need to take steps to dry the space. Air drying isn’t enough, since a large amount of moisture will remain in the room even after you’ve removed puddled water. Rent or purchase a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. A good dehumidifier will gradually help pull moisture from the walls, floors, and ceiling too. This will do wonders in preventing mold from growing in the space. 

Preventative Measures

Of course, you don’t have to wait around for the next hurricane to take action in protecting your family and property. There are steps you can take right now to prepare. Work to keep your gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris. While you’re at it, clean out street drains and yard culverts, too. Doing so will ensure free flow of any rainwater and prevent flooding. You may also want to invest in a hand pump to have on hand in case a backup does occur.

When you know you’re in the direct path of an oncoming hurricane, take a moment to inspect and test your basement’s sump pump. This appliance will be critical in keeping water out of your home, so you’ll want it in good working order when a storm strikes. A battery-powered backup sump pump is a wise investment because it will continue pumping away groundwater even if there’s a power failure. Flush your water heater tank, too. This will allow it to refill with fresh water for emergency use. 

When the Hurricane Hits

During the storm, you’ll want to fill bathtubs and sink with fresh water. Should your home’s plumbing become compromised by the storm, you’ll have clean water for drinking, bathing, and for flushing toilets. In fact, you may even want to shut off your home’s main incoming water valve in anticipation of contaminated municipal water resulting from the storm. Doing so can prevent contaminated water from entering your home.

Many people also opt to turn off their electricity or gas to the water heater. It’s a bad idea to shower or bathe during a storm anyway, and turning off the water heater’s energy source can reduce unnecessary stress on the system. 

After the Storm

Even after the storm has passed, you’ll want to be proactive in securing your property. If you’re resuming use of municipal water, you’ll want to boil it until your community deems it safe for drinking. And if you haven’t turned on the main water valve to your house yet, you can also continue using the safe freshwater in your water heater tank as long as necessary. 

Do a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior of your home. Be on the lookout for flooding, damage, and blockages caused by rainwater runoff. Not sure what you’re looking for? A professional plumber can conduct a more comprehensive inspection with an eye for pipe and plumbing fixture damages.

A little education and a few preventative chores can do wonders in protecting your home and family from a major storm. While hurricanes can indeed be frightening, swift action can guard against many of the most common kinds of storm damage. Your due diligence will go a long way in preserving the integrity of your plumbing!