Florida homeowners know that hurricanes bring a high risk of storm surges, heavy winds, and flooding, but one hidden danger often goes unnoticed until it’s too late: the impact on your plumbing. These powerful storms can wreak havoc on household pipes, drains, and water quality, resulting in problems that escalate quickly if left unaddressed.
Discover the specific ways hurricanes affect Florida plumbing systems and what you can do to stay ahead of the issues.
1. Saltwater in Pipes
Hurricanes often bring saltwater inland, flooding areas and seeping into water systems that weren’t designed to handle the harsh properties of salt. If saltwater enters your home’s plumbing, it doesn’t just come and go — it leaves lasting damage. Some examples include:
- Accelerated corrosion: The chloride ions in salt cause metal pipes to rust much faster, making them prone to leaks and breakage.
- Increased mineral deposits: Salt causes mineral buildup, which narrows pipes and reduces water flow.
- Risk to water quality: Corroded lead pipes pose a serious risk of contamination. After all, saltwater intrusion intensifies the breakdown of lead, causing it to leach into the water supply.
Preventing saltwater damage following a hurricane might require upgrading your pipes with corrosion-resistant materials. Even routine inspections can make a big difference, allowing you to catch early signs of corrosion and reduce the long-term impact on your plumbing.
Contact Hawkins Service Company if you need plumbing help in the Tampa Bay area after a hurricane.
2. Pipe Shifting & Leaking
When hurricanes roar through, they can put enormous pressure on the ground around and under your house. The combination of heavy rain, flooding, and wind causes the earth to shift, subjecting your pipes to far more movement than usual. This ground-shifting leads to all kinds of pipe problems, including:
- Disconnected pipes: Once pipes start to shift and disconnect, leaks are inevitable.
- Cracked pipes: The stress of ground movement around pipes may lead to cracking, especially of old, brittle pipes.
- Water damage and slab leaks: Even small pipe breaks beneath the foundation can cause slab leaks. This is when water accumulates under the foundation and weakens your home’s structure, leading to major repairs down the road.
While the effects of ground-shifting may be minor at first, slab leaks are particularly tricky to detect until they’ve caused extensive water damage. Monitoring your water pressure and scheduling regular plumbing checks can help you catch issues early, saving you money on repair costs and keeping your home safe.
3. Sewer Line Backups
Sewer lines in Florida often struggle during hurricane season because of intense rains and storm surges that add tremendous volume to already overtaxed drainage systems. In many older neighborhoods around the Tampa Bay area, stormwater and sewer systems are combined within a single pipeline, a recipe for disaster during a flood. Here’s what homeowners need to know about common sewer line issues after a hurricane:
- Backflow problems: Floodwater can enter sewer lines and flow back into your home’s drains, filling low-lying sinks, toilets, and bathtubs with dirty water.
- Health risks: Sewer and floodwater backups pose serious hazards due to bacteria and pathogens.
- Structural damage: Sewer water in your home can ruin floors, walls, and furniture. Mold, contamination, and other long-term damage are serious concerns.
Consider installing a backflow prevention device to prevent backflow and protect your property. This worthwhile investment allows water to flow out but blocks it from coming back in, reducing the risk of sewer backups. Combined with regular plumbing maintenance and inspections, this small addition can make a huge difference during Florida’s hurricane season.
24/7 Plumbing Repairs in Tampa
Clearly, hurricanes bring challenges beyond storm damage cleanup. Hawkins Service Company has been helping Florida homeowners with professional plumbing repairs since 1993. Our 24/7 emergency service and same-day support from licensed plumbers mean we’re here to keep your system in top shape, even in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Have a plumbing emergency? Call us now! If it’s not urgent, contact us online today to schedule plumbing services in Tampa, FL.
