subject: What To Do About Plumbing After A Natural Disaster [print this page] Imagine this for a moment: "The Big One" has finally hit and although your family has survived without harm, you aren't so certain about your house. It seems to be livable enough, but you aren't sure if you can rely on the power, water and gas to be completely intact. In the event of a natural disaster like an earthquake, tornado, hurricane or flood, there are some things you should take care of yourself as you wait for the professionals to arrive. With such a wide area to serve, this could take a few weeks.
Beware of Bacteria
There is probably enough pressure in your pipes to let you continue using them for a few hours after trouble strikes. After this, the sewer will start to back up and you will be sharing water with your neighbor's house. Make sure you have plenty of clean drinking water stored up, because the pipes can't be trusted. It is also very likely that the plumber won't be too excited about cleaning up that backed up sewage anymore than you will.
Of course you should be watching out for potential bacteria and germs in any situation. But when modern conveniences fail, not being able to take a hot shower is the least of your problems. Grit your teeth, dig a hole and if you don't want to see it again, bury things at least 18 inches deep so the local animals won't dig them back up. Don't forget to wrap it in a plastic bag first.
Water Flow
Obviously, if you can tell that there is a leak in your house, you should turn the water off. This shut off valve may be somewhere in your basement or it may be outside. You can also turn this off if you are uncomfortable or unsure of the situation. Unlike the gas valve, you can turn it back on yourself. Don't enter a flooded basement if there are any electrical problems in the house, and don't risk your own health or safety by trying to go in a sketchy situation. Even if the professionals are unable to arrive for weeks, they still know how to handle the situation better than you do.
While we are still waiting for "The Big One" to hit, it is never too early to prepare. Keep your plumbing in good working order as much as you can, and ask your local plumber for advice on dealing with potential disasters in your particular area.
