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Flooding is frightening, and if you’ve been a victim, your first thought is probably safety. Getting over a flood involves the assistance of a professional plumbing repair company. It’s stressful and exhausting recovering from a flood. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drains, we can help.
Flooding – First Steps
Protecting yourself, your family, and your pets should be the first concern from a flood. Both the water and the aftereffects can be dangerous, so take precautions and prepare to evacuate if necessary. Even a flooded home due to a burst pipe can lead to injuries or accidents.
Serious flooding can damage your home in many different ways, and it’s not just the threat of water damage to your possessions. The home’s foundation, windows and doors, the framing, and the electrical systems are also subject to serious damage. However, one thing that many homeowners don’t think about being damaged in a flood might be the plumbing system. While much of it is underground and therefore may be protected, the pipes inside the home also can sustain flood damage. Even though pipes and appliances are designed to conduct water, there are still many things to consider when booking plumbing repair after a flood.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a warning ahead of time for a flood, be sure to turn off the water to your house. If you can turn off both the water main and the individual water pipes for your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room, this can help protect your pipes and appliances.
When to Book Plumbing Repair
After a flood, it’s smart to have a professional plumbing repair company complete an assessment of your pipes and each plumbing fixture. The back up in your pipes can permanently damage your faucets, showerheads, and drains. Err on the side of caution, and choose to have your whole home inspected, including the fixtures and the connecting pipes, both from the city’s water main and sewer lines and the ones in the house itself.
Damage to the Fixtures
When you have flooding, your biggest concern might be the condition of your floors and drywall. However, you may also have damage to plumbing fixtures and drains. Flooding can cause back up in your home pipes and put awkward pressure on your drain, faucets, and other plumbing installations.
Both indoor and outdoor faucets may be damaged by the flood. These most likely will need to be replaced, even if the fixtures don’t have visible damage, if they were submerged underwater for a significant period of time, then they may have sustained damage to the seals and may not function correctly. Another thing to consider when replacing your plumbing fixtures is that they may have collected sediment. Showerheads, for example, may have debris or the things that can cause mold to form. While this may not necessitate a plumbing repair, you’ll still want to remove them and clean them with bleach.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains after a flood are very common. Mud, debris, and other build-ups can create blockages in and around your property that will need a professional plumbing repair company to remove. Over time, a clogged drain isn’t just an inconvenience but can lead to leaking or burst pipes. The sediment after a flood may not be easily washed away once you start using the pipes again. Professional plumbers can assess the extent of the clog and whether the sediment has infiltrated your appliances, too.
Signs of Mold and Mildew
One of the most important reasons that you should have a plumbing inspection after a flood is to determine the extent of water damage. Mold and mildew are common after a flood, especially in warm, humid climates. If you notice that your home smells like wet newspapers, that’s a sign of mold or mildew in the drywall. Or, the pipes themselves may have slow leaks that cause mold to form, which an experienced plumber can determine.
Your appliances and faucets may also have mold or mildew inside them. Take each one part, clean with bleach, and replace. If the damage is severe, it may be better to replace the item with a new one, to protect your family’s health.
Damage to Pipes
The sediment that clogs your drains and gets into your fixtures and showerheads can also cause damage to the exposed pipes in your home and those underground. Even buried pipes can sustain damage from a flood, with extra pressure from waterlogged soil on top of them or erosion. Once the floodwaters have receded, book plumbing repair and inspection. Stop using the connected appliances and fixtures to prevent further damage. Look around your property for sinkholes and uneven terrain, as these can be indicators of a burst pipe or underground pipes that have been damaged by flooding.
Foundation Damage
Flooding can severely damage a home’s foundation, too. Both the force of the water and the uneven, waterlogged soil beneath the foundation can cause the house to shift, compromising the plumbing system, and putting pressure on the seams of the pipes. Before any plumbing repair can be completed, an inspection of the house for safety and the status of the foundation should be conducted by a licensed professional.
Employ a Professional Plumbing Repair Company
After a flood, don’t try to fix your pipes and drains yourself. Most homeowners’ insurance policies will have requirements in place for professional plumbing repair, to protect the home from further damage. Plus, a professional plumber can easily spot signs of damage or potential hazards that you may overlook. Choose a plumber that specializes in post-flood repairs and inspections to make sure that your house is in expert hands.
Stay Safe!
The best protection against a flood is protection from the effects of toxic water. While you can’t predict when you’ll have flooding due to an act of nature or a burst pipe, you can employ preventative maintenance and smart thinking to reduce your risks. Best of all, you can choose to have the best emergency plumbing repair company in your contacts in case of a flood or a burst pipe. Visit bluefrog Plumbing & Drain for a preventive maintenance quote or just save our number for when you need us, 1-844-HOP-TO-IT. We’re here – just in case.
