Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area nearly a month ago. So many homes were ruined and families were displaced, but Harvey couldn’t break Houston’s spirit. Now, we’re in the rebuilding phase. While some areas are already getting back to a normal/semi-normal everyday life, others are still struggling to get some form of a home setup. One of the most important parts of getting a home setup again is getting the plumbing issues that arise post-flood in check before it causes more issues. This is where a Houston plumber steps in.
Broken Pipes Inside the Home
Considering all of the debris that floats around during a flood, a broken pipe is particularly common. It can be difficult to tell if a pipe is broken, though, since the area is wet from the flood waters. The best way to figure out if you have a broken pipe on your hands is to allow your home to dry out. If everything appears to be dry with the exception of one wet/damp area, it’s time to call a Houston plumber to investigate.
Broken Pipes Under the House
Spotting broken pipes inside the home is much easier than finding broken pipes under the home for obvious reasons. When the ground is wet, it puts pressure on the pipes under the ground. This is a particularly bad situation in a flood considering the amount of water sitting on the surface for a prolonged period of time that is pushing down on heavily saturated land. Thoroughly check the land around your home for sinkholes or areas that remain wet when everything else is dry. If you’re suspicious of an area, ask Santhoff to take a look at it for you. Not hiring a plumber could cost even more money and an even bigger headache down the line.
Foundation Damage
Foundation damage is common after a flood regardless of the plumbing situation. Unfortunately, your foundation might be fine until a pipe breaks. Once one pipe breaks and the foundation is damaged, the damage done to the foundation can actually cause even more plumbing pipes to break. It’s a terribly vicious cycle that needs to be stopped as soon as possible.
Damaged Water Fixtures
As stated above, debris wrecks havoc in a flood. This statement is just as true when it comes to water fixtures- both exterior and interior. Structural issues caused by the flood waters or the high winds can also cause damage. If the fixtures are damaged, they need to be replaced. Even if the fixtures are not damaged, it’s important to have the fixtures cleaned to prevent mold growth.
Drain Clogs
All of the dirt, sediment, and debris that covered the drains in your home eventually settles once the water evaporates. These particles stay in the drain and can cause a clog. Generally, you can take care of these clogs yourself, but major clogs will require a Houston plumbing company’s help.
If you’re worried about missing any plumbing issues once the flood waters recede, call a Houston plumber such as Santhoff. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to rebuilding a home. Call a plumber before installing new flooring and sheetrock. If you need to make an appointment, call Santhoff. We’d be more than happy to work with you to get your home back in order.