Houstonians are all too familiar with the potential damages that can come during hurricane season. A study from Rice University states that 91% of Houston residents believe they will be impacted by the upcoming storm season. Because of this, understanding the importance of choosing dependable 24-hour plumbing for your storm damage repair needs is crucial for the coming months.
From overflowing toilets to a completely flooded yard, even a small storm can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing system. This requires expert, fast, and reliable plumbing like our team at Santhoff Plumbing. Since 1974, we have been Houston’s premier 24-hour plumbing company, and we take pride in providing emergency plumbing services when you need them most.
Understanding Emergency Plumbing and Its Impact on Storm Damage
Houston’s extreme storms can affect many people across the city. While the intense rain, fast wind, and unexpected floods have lasting impacts on many plumbing systems, what is sometimes the most dangerous outcome a storm can bring lies beneath your home.
After the rain clouds disappear, you might discover the real damage to your plumbing system. By understanding the massive impact storm damage can have on your pipe, you will quickly realize how valuable 24-hour plumbing can be. Plumbing damage can come in many forms, from sewer backups to clogged drains, to burst pipes, to even cracks in your foundation.
Floodwater Categories for Emergency Plumbing
Floodwaters are often ranked in categories based on severity. The three primary types of floodwater, and what kind of 24-hour plumbing priority they require, are:
- Category 1: Clean Water – This type of floodwater originates from a completely sanitary source. Most often, this type of stormwater comes from a broken water supply pipe or a clean rainwater leak. While at first, this type of plumbing issue may not be an emergency, it can quickly escalate into a category 2 floodwater if not addressed swiftly, with 24-hour plumbing services.
- Category 2: Greywater – Oftentimes, this type of plumbing concern contains contaminants that could cause serious illness if ingested or overly exposed to. These are extremely common during serious storms in Houston, and their effects include washing machine overflows, toilet overflows, and dishwasher leaks. In many cases, rapid plumbing service is not just encouraged – it is crucial for your safety and for preventing it from developing into a blackwater categorization.
- Category 3: Blackwater – Blackwater is the most dangerous type of floodwater and can lead to severe consequences if 24-hour plumbing is not immediately sought out. This type of floodwater is highly contaminated and can contain dangerous pathogens, bacteria, viruses, or raw sewage. Ingesting, or even just coming into contact with, blackwater can cause serious health concerns like gastrointestinal illnesses, wound infections, respiratory infections, or even infectious hepatitis.
By understanding the specifications and implications of each floodwater category, you can better equip yourself and your family for upcoming Houston storms. What makes plumbing damage unique is its ability to rapidly develop into a larger, more severe issue over a matter of minutes. For any plumbing concerns after a storm, we recommend you seek immediate, 24-hour plumbing service with Santhoff Plumbing.
Signs of Serious Plumbing Issues After a Storm
Now that you understand the varying degrees of floodwater danger, how to spot these potential plumbing concerns is the next step to full storm-season confidence. The most common signs of serious water damage, and your first indication to call a professional, 24-hour plumbing technician, are visible pools of water or damp spots in your home.
Along with visible signs of a leak or water damage, a foul odor may also indicate immediate plumbing problems. This is highly important to take note of because it could indicate a gas leak, which is highly dangerous and may require immediate evacuation. While gas lines are typically well protected, storms with high wind strength can knock down large trees and potentially damage the line, leading to neighborhood-wide gas concerns.
Lastly, sometimes noises can also indicate a serious plumbing emergency. Listen for gurgling noises coming from your drain or toilet, as this could point to trapped air within the system, commonly caused by blockages or sewer backups. In more severe cases, you may even hear a banging or hissing sound. Something more serious could be causing this, like significant pressure changes or even a gas leak.
Most Common 24-Hour Plumbing Services Needed After a Houston Storm
Houston storms can be dynamic and have completely different degrees of damage, but for the most part, 24-hour plumbing needs stay the same. For many years, people have called Santhoff Plumbing Houston’s best emergency plumbing company. Keeping our customers safe, even on the darkest days, motivates us. Here are the emergency plumbing services we find are most common during storm season:
- Water heater repair: A damaged water heater can have serious consequences after a storm. It can cause a lack of hot water, and also could potentially lead to more dangerous things like gas leaks or electrical sparks. We recommend immediate action because, no matter how small a repair might be, risking your family and your home’s safety is never worth it.
- Drain cleaning: After a serious storm, drains can easily become clogged with debris, tree limbs, or even sheetrock in the most severe cases. We have professional-grade equipment at the ready at all times, and can help drains get back to optimal performance as fast as possible. Backed-up drains often cause flooding, so you must invest in 24-hour plumbing services.
- Stormwater damage repair: Regardless of the category or severity of your stormwater damage, cleanup will be needed in some capacity. Many times, this can include pipe repair or replacement, sewer line repair, water extraction, professional drying, and fixture repair.
We always help our Houston neighbors in their time of need, no matter what kind of damage your home sustains or what kind of mess you need to clean. We understand the stress, devastation, and fear that can come during a powerful storm, and we strive to help get our clients back on their feet in as little time as possible.
Don’t Wait: Why Immediate Action After Storm Plumbing Damage Matters
When a storm hits your house and damages your plumbing system, the health and safety risks will start to grow immediately. Water damage is one of the most common effects of storm damage, and it can lead to a myriad of problems, from structural damage to dangerous mold growth. In many cases, mold growth is impossible to reverse and can permanently jeopardize your home’s market value.
Along with mold, prompt 24-hour plumbing services can help prevent long-term damage. When you call a 24-hour plumbing service, we can diagnose and repair your plumbing system within minutes of the damage occurring. This can be detrimental in keeping small repairs from developing into large-scale, complicated concerns. By choosing a more immediate approach, you can potentially save more money in the long run.
24-Hour Plumbing: Your First Call When Disaster Strikes
In Houston, many residents have firsthand experience with the damage and stress that a severe storm can cause to their homes. By choosing to partner with a reliable, trusted 24-hour plumbing team like Santhoff Plumbing, you can keep your home, family, and assets safe during the upcoming stormy season. Our team is proud to offer 24-hour emergency plumbing services with fast service, professional expertise, and accurate solutions for your emergencies, no matter when disaster strikes.