For half the year, between June and November, the Florida Gulf coastline is threatened by torrential storms that drench our homes and waterlog our lawns. Before hurricane season descends upon Gulf Breeze, FL, homeowners should give their plumbing system a little extra attention to prevent damage during a flood. These three hurricane preparedness tips will help your plumbing ride out the heavy runoff and keep your family safe:

Clean Up Debris

Unsecured debris causes a variety of complications for your home and neighborhood. Garbage and yard waste that accumulate near gutters, culverts, and storm drains create pooling water that can damage your home’s foundation or underground pipes. Clean up anything large enough to clog the system and secure items that can float away to prevent blockages to the public sewer lines.

Clear Out the Pipes

Backed-up drains are more likely to become overloaded after a flood. Your hurricane preparedness tasks should include testing each faucet and toilet to ensure that the water flows as it should. Slow drains and leaks might indicate a problem with your sewage or septic system, which can quickly be overrun by floodwater. While there are plenty of DIY tools to tackle this routine maintenance without the help of a professional plumbing company, Benjamin Franklin’s BioBen® drain treatment is a no-fuss way to keep pipes healthy.

Protect Your Water Supply

To stop flooding from contaminating your home’s water supply, shut off the main water valve before the storm hits. Ration water by opening the faucet farthest away from the main line. Have some water testing strips on hand to determine if the water is safe to drink. Each person in your home should have at least a three-day supply of drinking water. Fill the bathtub with water to use for non-sterilized tasks, such as flushing the toilet.

A little preparation can limit the potential plumbing-related damage to your home during a hurricane. Contact Benjamin Franklin, your local professional plumbing company partners, at (850) 331-7956 to get help with clearing clogged drains, detecting leaking pipes or other preventative maintenance measures.