Hurricane preparation for a commercial property involves more than securing windows, checking the roof and making sure the generator is ready. Your plumbing and drainage systems also need attention before severe weather arrives.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. Historically, the climatological peak of Atlantic hurricane activity is September 10, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
For businesses and commercial properties in Mobile, Baldwin and Washington Counties, hurricane preparation should include a close look at the systems responsible for moving water away from — and wastewater out of — the property.
As a third-generation family business serving the Gulf Coast since 1962, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup has been through these storms alongside our neighbors. We know that the work done before a storm can make the days afterward much easier.
Why does hurricane season matter for commercial plumbing?
Heavy rainfall, flooding and power outages can put additional stress on drainage, sewer and pumping systems.
A plumbing problem that is manageable during normal weather can become a much larger problem when severe weather arrives.
Wet weather can increase the amount of water entering sanitary sewer systems through infiltration and inflow. The EPA identifies sewer defects that allow stormwater and groundwater to overload the system — along with blockages, line breaks and power failures — among the causes of sanitary sewer overflows.
Commercial properties may also depend on electrically powered equipment such as lift stations, sewage ejectors or sump pumps. Losing power can interrupt those systems at exactly the time they may be needed most.
That is why hurricane preparation for commercial property in Alabama should include plumbing, sewer and drainage planning rather than treating those systems as an afterthought.
What should commercial property managers check before a hurricane?
A commercial plumbing hurricane check should focus on keeping water moving where it is supposed to go, identifying vulnerabilities before heavy rain arrives and making sure the people responsible for the property know how critical systems operate.
Before severe weather threatens the Gulf Coast, property and facility managers should review:
- Roof drains, storm drains and drainage points. Clear leaves, dirt and debris from accessible drains and make sure water has an unobstructed path away from the building.
- Sewer line condition. If the property has a history of slow drains, recurring backups, root intrusion or other sewer problems, address them before hurricane conditions develop. EPA guidance identifies blockages, line breaks and defects that allow stormwater and groundwater into the system as contributors to sanitary sewer overflows. Sewer camera inspection is one tool used when investigating line condition.
- Backflow prevention. Make sure backflow prevention devices serving the property are accessible and maintained appropriately. EPA explains that when potable-water pressure drops below pressure on the non-potable side of a cross-connection, unwanted reverse flow can allow contamination to enter a drinking-water system.
- Lift stations and sump pumps. Know which systems require electricity and what your property’s plan is if utility power is lost. EPA includes power failures among the causes of sanitary sewer overflows.
- Water shutoff valves. Know where the building’s primary and sectional water shutoffs are located. Make sure appropriate staff can access them and that the locations are clearly documented before an emergency.
- Water heaters and mechanical equipment. Identify equipment that could be exposed to flooding and determine whether vulnerable components can be protected or elevated appropriately. FEMA guidance on protecting building utility systems addresses elevating equipment above anticipated flood levels to reduce flood damage.
The goal is not to wait until a hurricane is headed toward Mobile Bay to discover that a shutoff valve cannot be found, a sewer line has been backing up for months or a critical pump has no power contingency.
A pre-season commercial plumbing inspection gives property managers time to address those concerns under normal conditions.
What happens to commercial plumbing when the power goes out?
Any plumbing or drainage equipment that relies on electricity can stop operating during a power outage.
For a commercial property with a lift station, sewage ejector or sump pump, that can create serious problems during heavy rainfall or flooding. EPA identifies power failures as one cause of sanitary sewer overflows.
Property managers should know which plumbing systems depend on electrical power, whether approved backup power is available and who is responsible for activating the property’s emergency plan.
This is especially important for facilities where wastewater must be mechanically pumped rather than relying entirely on gravity.
Why should backflow prevention be part of hurricane preparation?
Backflow prevention helps protect potable water from unwanted reverse flow through cross-connections.
Pressure changes or disruptions can create conditions where contaminated water could move in the wrong direction. EPA defines backflow as the unwanted flow of used or non-potable water or other substances back into the potable distribution system. When potable-water pressure becomes lower than pressure from a non-potable source, contaminants can potentially enter through an unprotected cross-connection.
Before hurricane season, commercial property managers should know where their backflow devices are located and make sure required maintenance or testing is current.
Backflow protection is particularly important at commercial and industrial properties where plumbing systems may have more cross-connections and specialized equipment than a typical residence.
What should a commercial property manager check immediately after a hurricane?
Before normal operations resume, look for signs that flooding, sewer problems or storm damage have affected the building.
Do not assume standing water is simply rainwater or that equipment is safe to restart because the water has receded.
The EPA advises people re-entering damaged homes and buildings to assume flood water is contaminated with raw sewage or hazardous chemicals. The CDC likewise warns that floodwater can contain human and livestock waste, germs and other contaminants that can lead to illness, along with household, medical and industrial hazardous waste.
Check for sewer backups around floor drains, restrooms and lower areas of the property. Unexpected wastewater, strong sewer odors, multiple slow drains or toilets that will not drain properly should be evaluated before employees or customers return to the affected area.
Standing water should be treated as potentially contaminated rather than walked through or cleaned without appropriate precautions.
Electrical hazards are also a concern. The CDC advises never turning power on or off yourself or using an electric tool or appliance while standing in water, and states that all electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service, with a certified electrician checking these items if there is any question.
Water heaters, pumps and other equipment exposed to floodwater should also be inspected before being placed back into service. Flood exposure can affect electrical components, controls and other parts of mechanical systems.
Why is fast water mitigation important after a hurricane?
Prompt professional water mitigation removes standing water, begins controlled drying and helps limit additional damage to the building.
The longer building materials remain wet, the greater the opportunity for moisture-related problems to develop. The EPA advises that it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and notes that mold can grow on wood, drywall, carpet and furniture that remain wet for more than 24 hours.
Professional mitigation may include water extraction, removal of materials that cannot be safely cleaned and dried, moisture monitoring, air movement and dehumidification based on the conditions inside the building.
For commercial facilities, getting professional help involved quickly also makes it easier to determine how far the water traveled. Moisture can remain beneath flooring, behind walls and inside other materials even after visible standing water is gone.
If your business needs storm water damage cleanup in Mobile or the surrounding Gulf Coast area, early action can help keep a water intrusion from becoming a larger restoration project.
Why should you choose a local commercial plumbing and water cleanup partner before hurricane season?
The best time to establish your storm-response contacts is before you need them.
A property manager should know who to call for plumbing problems, sewer issues and water mitigation before a hurricane reaches the Gulf Coast.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup has served Mobile and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities since 1962. We are a third-generation, locally operated family business serving commercial properties throughout Mobile, Baldwin and Washington Counties.
We understand that after a storm, property managers and facility teams are trying to make dozens of decisions at once. Having one trusted local partner who can respond to plumbing emergencies and storm-related water damage gives you one less thing to figure out when conditions are already difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Hurricane Plumbing Preparation
When should I schedule a commercial plumbing check before hurricane season?
Ideally, schedule the inspection before severe weather is threatening the area so there is time to correct any problems that are found. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, although tropical systems can occur outside those dates.
Should I have my commercial sewer line inspected before a hurricane?
If your building has recurring backups, slow drainage, known root intrusion or previous sewer problems, a pre-storm evaluation may identify an issue worth correcting before periods of heavy rain. EPA notes that blockages, line breaks and sewer defects that allow stormwater and groundwater into the system can contribute to sanitary sewer overflows.
Is standing water inside my business safe after a hurricane?
Do not assume that it is. EPA advises assuming flood water is contaminated with raw sewage or hazardous chemicals, and CDC warns that floodwater can contain waste, germs and chemicals that may cause illness or injury.
What should I do if my toilets or drains start backing up after a storm?
Reduce unnecessary water use and contact a plumbing professional to determine whether the problem is within the property’s plumbing or sewer system. Wet weather, blockages, damaged sewer lines and power failures can all contribute to sewer backup conditions.
How quickly should water cleanup begin after storm damage?
As soon as conditions are safe and the source of the water can be addressed. EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours when possible to help prevent mold growth.
Prepare Your Commercial Property Before the Next Storm
You cannot control what hurricane season brings to the Gulf Coast, but you can make sure your property’s plumbing and drainage systems are better prepared for it.
Schedule a pre-season commercial plumbing check with Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup to identify potential drainage, sewer and plumbing concerns before severe weather arrives.
And if a storm leaves your commercial property with flooding or water damage, call Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup at 251-479-9454 for professional storm-related water cleanup throughout Mobile, Baldwin and Washington Counties.
Sources
- NOAA National Hurricane Center — Tropical Cyclone Climatology
- EPA — Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)
- EPA — Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings
- EPA — A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- EPA — Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air and Your Health
- CDC — Safety Guidelines: Floodwater
- CDC — Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home
- FEMA P-348 — Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage