Many people don’t understand just how vital water control is during natural disasters and runoff events, which can heavily impact residential plumbing systems. Backflow, cross-contamination, and water pressure surges are potential issues that can occur during flood events, and it’s crucial to know how to avoid them. We are going to give you tips on how to shut off your home’s water supply safely during a flood event to prevent plumbing issues afterward.
What Are the Risks to Plumbing Following a Flood?
We briefly touched on some plumbing risks associated with flooding, such as backflow and cross-contamination, but understanding how critical these issues are is essential to staying safe. Cross-contamination is one of the most significant issues that can occur following a flood, due to water runoff entering drinking water. It can enter well systems, pipes, and central lines, posing a potential risk of contamination. Water pressure can fluctuate due to line bursts or backflow through open systems due to the flood event. Water intrusion near electrical elements, such as water heaters, or in other areas, can pose a shock risk, and over-saturation can cause structural damage, such as corrosion or cracks.
How to Shut Off Your Home Water Safely During a Flood
Understanding the risks to water safety and plumbing during a flood is crucial, but let’s look at how to shut off your home’s water supply to avoid them. If you are a homeowner or renter in a flood-prone area, take these steps to protect your home and plumbing system.
Locate Your Main Water Supply Shut Off
The first thing you need to do is locate your main water supply shut-off, which is usually near your water meter, an exterior wall, or a utility area. If you are unable to find it in those areas, check the curbside meter box. Remember not to turn it off yet; just make note of where it is. There are two types of shut-off valves: gate valves and ball valves. Gate valves typically require several turns to close, while ball valves need about a quarter-turn to shut off the water. You’ll be able to tell the difference by looking at the handle, as a ball valve has a round or star-shaped handle.
Turn Off Electrical Power
Before you turn off the main water supply, you should also turn off the electrical power to water-related systems, including your HVAC, water heater, and sump pumps. This keeps your systems safe as you turn off the water supply.
Put on Safety Gear
Safety gear will help prevent electrical hazards when turning off your water. Consider wearing rubber boots and gloves to protect your extremities.
Access the Shut Off Valve
Go to the shut-off valve and use a wrench or valve key to turn it off. Refer back to where you located your water supply shut-off in the beginning steps. Be sure to turn clockwise to close it.
Relieve System Pressure
Once you’ve shut off the water, be sure to go to the faucet in the home to drain out any residual water that might be left in the plumbing system.
Verify the Shut Off
Visit the water meter and ensure it stops moving to verify that you’ve shut off the water supply for your home. This is a safety measure you should do once you’ve turned everything off, just to avoid potential backflow or contamination you might not otherwise have known to look for.
Secure the Area
Ensure that the valve remains closed and mark the position for first responders or repair crews that may come by. This makes it easier on them and you, once the flood clears and they come to check on residents in the area.
Turn Off Any Additional Systems
You may have other systems throughout your home that you should consider turning off to avoid interference with the water systems. Turn off the gas or electrical supply to your water heater to prevent overheating or rupture. Shut off any outdoor spigots and irrigation systems to prevent contaminated backflow. Disconnect any appliances that run water, such as washing machines, water filtration systems, and dishwashers. If you have a private well, consider disconnecting the power and sealing off well heads to prevent water contamination.
Post-Flood Safety Check
Once the flood has passed and the water has fully receded, you can open the main water valves and perform safety checks. Look out for visible leaks or corrosion, mud or debris in the meter box, and any signs of backflow or contamination. It’s also important to flush all plumbing lines once the water has been restored to clear out the pipes and remove any potential contamination that may have been sitting in them. Consider hiring a professional from All Year Cooling and Plumbing to conduct a post-flood inspection to ensure your water supply is safe and there are no significant risks.
How to Prevent Risks for Future Floods
If you live in an area that experiences frequent flooding or in a flood zone, you should consider putting in place preventive measures to help reduce the risk of future flooding. Here’s a list of preventative measures you can take if you live in a place that experiences floods often:
- Investing in an automatic shut-off valve system so you can control your water supply remotely, without having to find the valves yourself.
- Elevate your major appliances, HVAC, and water heater so they are off the floor or ground, to avoid flood exposure.
- Keep a flood emergency list outlining all critical steps in the event of a flood. Also consider a flood emergency kit that includes valve-shutoff tools, safety gear, and flashlights.
Stay Safe and Be Prepared for Flood Risks
Living in an area where flood risks are quite common can mean that you are already prepared, but it’s critical to stay ready for a flood even if you don’t typically have them in your area. Natural disasters and flooding are unpredictable, so it is better to be safe and prepared than to be caught unprepared. Refer to this article during flood watches and follow the steps to protect your home’s water supply and keep your family safe. We encourage you to test your valve shut-off before an emergency, rather than waiting until you are in one. Following a flood, be sure to contact All Year Cooling and Plumbing to perform a professional inspection and ensure it is safe to turn your water back on. We can also conduct a home safety inspection or an HVAC system check to ensure you are prepared for flood season before it arrives.