3 Plumbing Tasks To Do Before The Next Big Storm
In West Houston, we’ve learned that a "big storm" is rarely just about the wind. Whether it's a sudden tropical depression rolling off the Gulf or one of those intense summer thunderstorms that turn neighborhood streets into rivers, the real battle is usually fought at the ground level. For property owners, the plumbing system is the front line. When the sky opens up, your pipes, drains, and pumps are suddenly asked to handle ten times their normal volume, and any existing weakness in the system will be exposed in minutes.
While residential homes certainly face risks, the stakes are significantly higher for business owners. A flooded warehouse or a backed-up restroom in a retail space doesn't just mean a repair bill—it means a total halt to operations. This is why staying ahead of the weather with professional commercial plumbing maintenance is one of the smartest investments a Houston business can make. You don’t want to be searching for a shut-off valve knee-deep in water while a storm is peaking.
By tackling these three plumbing tasks before the next dark clouds appear on the horizon, you can ensure your property stays dry and your business stays open.
1. Clear Your Site Drainage and Gutters
It sounds simple, but the leading cause of "mystery leaks" during Houston storms is actually poor exterior drainage. When gutters are packed with leaves and silt, rainwater has nowhere to go but over the side of the building. This water then pools around the foundation, creating immense hydrostatic pressure that can force moisture through tiny cracks in your slab or basement walls.
Check the Scuppers: For commercial buildings with flat roofs, ensure that the roof drains and scuppers are completely clear. A blocked roof drain can turn your ceiling into a swimming pool, leading to a structural collapse.
Inspect Curb Drains: Many commercial properties have drains at the edge of the parking lot or near the street. If these are covered in trash or grass clippings, your lot will flood, and that water will eventually find its way under your front door.
The "Hose Test": Before the rain starts, run a garden hose into your gutters or exterior drains. If the water doesn't disappear immediately, you have a deep-seated clog that needs to be addressed before the storm does it for you.
2. Test Your Sump Pump and Battery Backup
If your property has a basement, an elevator pit, or a low-lying mechanical room, the sump pump is your most valuable player. However, a sump pump that hasn't been tested in six months is a gamble you shouldn't take. During a heavy Houston downpour, the ground saturates quickly, and the pump may need to run every few minutes for hours on end.
To test it, pour a few buckets of water into the sump pit until the float rises and the motor kicks on. Listen for any grinding noises or delays. More importantly, verify your backup power source. Storms and power outages go hand-in-hand. According to the Red Cross, having a battery-powered backup or a water-powered secondary pump is the only way to ensure your facility remains protected when the grid goes dark.
3. Inspect and Exercise Your Main Shut-Off Valve
In a worst-case scenario, such as a burst pipe from a fallen tree or a backflow event caused by an overwhelmed city sewer, you need to be able to kill the water supply instantly. "Exercising" your valves simply means turning them off and back on to ensure they haven't seized up due to mineral deposits or rust.
For businesses, this is especially critical. Knowing the location of your main shut-off valve and ensuring it is accessible—not buried under a year’s worth of storage—is the difference between a minor cleanup and a catastrophic loss. If the city's sewage lines become overwhelmed, you may also want to ensure your backwater valves are functioning correctly to prevent waste from being pushed back into your building’s toilets and floor drains.
Staying One Step Ahead
The goal of storm prep isn't to prevent the rain, but to control where it goes. In Houston, we are at the mercy of the elements, but we are not helpless. A proactive check of your drainage, a quick test of your pumps, and a moment to ensure your valves are operational can save you from the physical and emotional toll of a flooded property.
When the forecast starts looking grim, remember that your plumbing system is a machine that needs a tune-up just like any other. Don't wait for the water to start rising to find out if your defenses are ready. Take an hour this week to walk your property, clear the debris, and ensure your building is ready to weather the storm.
