Storm season in Fort Lauderdale can be rough on plumbing, especially when heavy rain keeps coming for hours. This page covers what to check before storms arrive, what signs to watch for during bad weather, and when to call for recommended plumbing support. A little preparation can help prevent sewer backups, hidden leaks, drain issues, and water damage.
Fort Lauderdale’s storm season runs from June through November, but plumbing problems can show up any time the ground gets soaked. Drain lines, sewer laterals, outdoor pipes, and slab plumbing can all be subjected to additional stress during heavy rain. Our team handles storm-related plumbing calls across Fort Lauderdale and Broward County every season.
Why Storms Are Hard on Plumbing in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale homes face plumbing stress from soaked soil, high groundwater, flooding streets, and sudden pressure changes. Many homes are built on concrete slabs, so pipes under the home can be affected when the ground shifts. A small crack or weak pipe joint may not cause trouble on a dry day, but storm conditions can make it leak.
Sewer and drain lines can also struggle during major rain. When stormwater overwhelms the area, water and waste can back up into the home through toilets, tubs, and floor drains. Homes without sewer backflow protection are more exposed during these events.
Tree roots are another common problem in Broward County. Roots often grow near sewer lines and can enter through small openings in older pipes. After heavy rain, saturated soil can shift, roots can move, and a line that was already partly blocked may stop draining.
Before Storm Season: What to Check
Have your sewer line checked before storm season starts. A camera inspection can find roots, cracks, buildup, low spots, or separated pipe joints. It is better to fix those issues before a storm than to deal with sewage coming up through a drain.
Check your backflow prevention if your property has a device on the sewer lateral. Make sure it has been tested and certified within the past year. If your home has backed up during past storms and does not have backflow protection, ask about having it installed.
Walk around the exterior of the home and inspect exposed plumbing. Check hose bibs, irrigation connections, outdoor pipes, and any plumbing near the water heater or exterior walls. Rust, mineral stains, damp spots, loose fittings, or worn connections should be repaired before heavy rain puts more strain on the system.
Find your main water shut-off before you need it. Everyone in the home should know where it is and how to turn it off. It is usually near the water meter or where the main water line enters the house.
Slow drains should be cleared before the rain starts. Patio, floor, laundry, and outdoor drains can back up quickly when the system is already under pressure. If a drain is slow on a normal day, a storm can make it much worse.
During a Storm: What to Watch For
Pay attention to toilets that gurgle, bubble, or drain slowly when it rains heavily. That can mean pressure is pushing back through the sewer line. Floor drains that stop draining, or water around the base of a toilet, can point to the same problem.
Listen for water running in the walls when no one is using a sink, shower, washer, or toilet. That sound can mean a pipe has cracked or shifted. A sudden drop in water pressure can also indicate trouble with the supply line or the pressure regulator.
Stop using showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and other water-heavy fixtures if a drain or sewer line appears to be backing up. More water can make the backup spread farther into the home. For storm-related plumbing assistance, call our team anytime at (954) 874-5152.
After a Storm: What to Check Before You Call It Clear
After the rain passes, walk through the home and check the visible plumbing areas. Look under sinks, around toilets, near the water heater, beside appliances, and along exposed pipes. New moisture, stains, dripping, soft flooring, or musty odors may indicate a leak that started during the storm.
Check outdoor plumbing too. Hose bibs, irrigation lines, exposed pipes, and drain areas can loosen, clog, or crack after heavy rain and debris. A small outside leak can waste water and may point to damage farther down the line.
Watch your water bill after a major storm. A hidden leak under a slab or in a supply line may show up as higher usage before you see damage inside the home. If the water pressure stays low after the storm, the line may need to be checked.
What to Do If You Have a Plumbing Emergency After a Storm
Shut off the main water supply if you have active flooding or a broken pipe. Do not use toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, or appliances if the sewer line is backing up. Using more water can push contaminated water farther into the home.
Call Plumbing Around the Clock once the immediate water use is stopped. We answer calls day and night and send licensed plumbers across Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. We also do not charge overtime for after-hours calls, so storm damage can be handled when it happens.
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