If you've lived in the Hampton Roads area, you are aware of its problems with flooding. At the first drop of rain, residents -specifically in Hampton and Norfolk - start preparing. In the Tidewater area, the sea level has slowly risen, causing problems during high tide and when it rains heavily. This can especially put pressure on sewage systems, which can back up into your home causing more damage.
When you think about flooding, the first things that come to mind are your foundation, frame, electrical... Rarely do people consider their plumbing system. Most of it is underground and out of site. For that very reason, its important to think about what happens when flooding affects your foundation. When water is rushing against and around your home, it can shift the soil your home is built on, thereby causing your foundation itself to shift, crack, or completely break down. When this happens, sewer lines can also be crushed. An A-1 American Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning tech professional can come over to evaluate your property and check for sinkholes and uneven ground which is a good indication that further investigation is needed.
Clogged drains are also a likely result from flooding. Dirt and sediment can get caught, and back up your drains. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy fix compared to the issues above.
It's best to know what flood zone you are in to determine the extent of potential damage. Norfolk has a website where you can get many questions answered, including your flood zone. Read more about that here.
Here's the tricky part. If your home is 50 years old or older (as many are in the Hampton Roads?Tidewater area), your plumbing system is operating on borrowed time. For the most part, homes built in those times used galvanized pipes - which were great 50 years ago. Not so much, now. Galvanized pipes can corrode, and that corrosion can cause your pipes to back up. Whatever you do, don't replace your galvanized pipes with more galvanized piping. This is a band-aid at best. Copper piping or PVC is the way to go.
A few things to check off if your home is one of the older homes in Norfolk and surrounding Hampton Roads areas - regardless of whether you live in a flood zone. At some point, you will need to focus on these items for your home.
- restoring and/or updating pipes
- replace those older sewer pipes
- sump pump installation is good to help keep basements and floors dry
A-1 American Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning is committed to helping our neighbors in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Newport News. Give us a call, and let us help you get your home back to your safe zone.
