South Floridians know the drill when a storm is in the forecast — water, batteries, shutters, gas in the car. But your plumbing deserves a spot on that checklist too. A little preparation can spare you a flooded home during the storm and an expensive backup after it passes. Here’s what to do before, during, and after.
Before the storm
- Find your main shut-off valve — and make sure it works. If a line breaks or a fixture is torn loose, cutting the water fast can save your home from serious flooding. Locate it now, and make sure the valve actually turns; a corroded one that won’t budge does you no good in an emergency.
- Clear your drains and gutters. A slow drain is a much bigger problem when heavy rain hits all at once. Address any drain that’s been sluggish before the storm — and if it keeps backing up, a professional cleaning now beats a flooded floor later.
- Check your water heater. Make sure it’s strapped, secure, and not already showing signs of trouble like rust or pooling water.
- Store clean water — a few gallons per person — in case service is interrupted or a boil-water notice is issued.
During and right after
Avoid running appliances on unstable or generator power, and if a boil-water notice is issued, follow local guidance before drinking or cooking. If you smell sewage or see water backing up, shut off the main and wait it out — don’t add more water to an overwhelmed system by running sinks or flushing.
After the storm: watch for sewer backups
This is the one most people miss. Storm surge and flooding can overwhelm the municipal sewer system and push water — and worse — back toward your home through the drains. Watch for slow drains, gurgling toilets, or water rising in a tub or shower when you run another fixture. Those are early warning signs of a main-line or sewer backup, and catching them early is the difference between a service call and a cleanup. A backflow preventer is the long-term fix worth asking about if your home is prone to it.
We’re here when you need us
Storms don’t keep business hours, and neither do we. Ming’s Contracting Dynasty has helped South Florida families through storm seasons for nearly three decades, and we’re on call 24/7 — family-owned since 1997, and backed by our promise: if we can’t fix it, it’s free. If a storm leaves you with a backup or a broken line, our emergency plumbers can help, and clearing a sluggish line ahead of time with drain cleaning is a smart, low-effort move. Call 305-234-HELP any hour.
