Plumbing

Plumbing Issues: What to Do When a Natural Disaster Strikes?

Disasters are like lightning. They hit you with such a force you’re left fighting for your very lives. And by far, winter in America has been the season with the “mostest and the worst” disasters of them all. A classic example is the Great Blizzard of 1888. The winter storm pummeled America’s Atlantic coast leaving staggering property damages reaching $20 million.

Worse, over 400 lives were lost, 100 seafarers, including. Businesses and government offices halted, and people sought shelter in just about any available space strong enough to stand the 80-mile per hour winds. So extensive was the damage that survivors commemorated their good luck every year until 1969. Subsequently, officials made one big adjustment: having telegraph and power lines installed underground. Thus was born today’s underground public transit.

Plumbing Issues: What to Do When a Natural Disaster Strikes? 1

On your part, making needed adjustments to counter the attacks of a disaster is wise. One of the most important things you could do is prepare your plumbing for the worst. Certainly, Mother Nature can hurl one dangerous curveball. Plumbing and proper waste management go hand in hand. Derail that, and you endanger the very lives of your loved ones.

Areas Where Your Plumbing Can Take a Hit

When natural disasters strike, your plumbing system may be harshly affected. While the results may not be immediate, you could find yourself largely disadvantaged and at-risk in time. For starters, plumbing gone wrong can put your kitchen in disarray as water could rise from the sink. Worse, it could invite a host of health complications that could sabotage your family. We’re talking about the spread of disease.

Once a virulent storm, earthquake, or flood compromises your local treatment plant for water, your very own water supply could be under attack by a slew of pollutants. This is especially true when the freak event causes untimely ruptures to the pipe system from the local plant to your precious abode. Moreover, a natural disaster can also compromise the municipal sewer system. Obstructions and breaches could happen. As a result, multiple homes could suffer as toxic sewage backups materialize.

Now, remember that your plumbing system can wear over time. So even if you might think your house stays intact and unaffected, your plumbing system may have been weakened. Even the most modest vibration of the Earth may rattle your age-old pipes putting their integrity on the line. That could give you a lot of headaches down the road.

When a Disaster Is Upon You

This can be tricky. When disaster strikes, your plumbing system could suffer a direct hit. However, even when you don’t see any major damage, you should ensure that your plumbing system stays intact. For immediate repairs, letting professionals do their job should be wise. Their expertise can effectively put the issue to rest in half the time. However, you must opt for the minimally invasive sewer repair should your pipes be compromised. Also dubbed as trenchless repair, this method does away with having to do extensive underground construction. It’s faster and does not put an ugly hole right in your living room.

Once a disaster strikes, you should shut off your main water. You should know the layout before the onslaught starts, so you won’t have to be groping in the dark if the power fails. Why? It’s simply because the water supply could be compromised. Keep the supply under lock and key unless the authorities declare that the water is safe for consumption.

Another essential step is to boil your water before drinking it. This is a safety measure, so you and your family won’t be adversely affected. Unless the local government gives their express approval, the water may not be safe to drink. Even when you don’t think your plumbing is affected, it’s always best to have your plumbing inspected. A plumbing professional should be able to plug holes before they blow up in your face.

Forewarned Is Forearmed

The best way to handle a natural disaster is to prepare for it. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) detailed 18 storms and 9 hurricanes that visited America in 2019. That tells you these natural disasters are pretty common. The funny thing about preparation for major disasters is you can’t do it on the day the disaster arrives. It would help if you did it weeks or even months ahead. Here is a list of how you can best prepare as a family.

It’s also the same for your plumbing. The key to a more resilient plumbing system is to maintain it regularly. A strong plumbing system won’t crack under pressure. And if it does, putting it back up won’t have to be such a daunting task.

Judith Barnes

I am a freelance writer and blogger based in New York City. I love to write about home design, landscaping, architecture, gardens, real estate, and exterior design. I also run a blog called Mypropertal, where I share tips about home and garden improvement projects. In addition to writing, I work part-time as a social media manager for a real estate company in NYC.

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