How to Protect Your House from a Hurricane

When a hurricane is headed your way, protecting your home and family should be your top priority. Riding out a hurricane is a bad idea, but if you’ve committed to sheltering in place, you must be prepared. These storms can damage nearly every part of your house—especially your plumbing and water systems. Learn how to protect your house from a hurricane to reduce the risk of hurricane home damage, hurricane flooding, and prolonged water supply issues.

Why You Shouldn’t Ride Out a Hurricane

If your local authorities recommend evacuation, do it. Riding out a hurricane may seem manageable, but it puts you and your family at serious risk. High winds can destroy roofs, floodwaters rise quickly, and hurricane storm surge is often unpredictable.

If you stay behind, you could face contaminated water, downed power lines, and limited emergency access. Learn more about the dangers of floodwater before deciding to shelter in place.

How to Hurricane-Proof Your Home

You can't completely hurricane-proof your house, but you can make it more resilient with these hurricane house protection tips:

1. Install impact-rated windows or hurricane shutters.
2. Reinforce garage doors and roof trusses.
3. Trim trees and remove yard debris.
4. Anchor outdoor equipment and propane tanks.
5. Use sandbags to block low doorways and garage thresholds.

Focus on preventing wind and water intrusion. Elevate important utilities and use waterproof coatings on lower levels. Even small upgrades go a long way toward full home hurricane protection.

How to Keep Your House from Flooding During a Hurricane

Knowing how to prevent flooding in the home during a storm comes down to preparation. Before the winds pick up:

1. Check all downspouts and roof gutters to ensure they are securely fastened, free of debris, and draining properly.
2. Make sure yard culverts and street drains are free of debris and can carry water away as fast as possible.
3. Inspect foundation and basement walls for cracks and repair as necessary. Watermarks near cracks could be a sign of recent leaks and future risks. Spray them with waterproof sealant.
4. Inspect a basement sump pump to prevent basement flooding. Ensure it is discharging water properly and not clogged with debris. Do this by pouring a few buckets of water into your sump pit. The pump should discharge the water and shut itself off. If power goes out, the sump pump won’t operate unless it has a battery backup pump.
5. Inspect all floor drains throughout the house, including those in the garage, driveway, basement, and patio. Make sure the covers are unobstructed and test to see that the drains aren’t clogged by pouring water into them.

Plumbing and Water Supply Considerations

When thinking about home hurricane preparedness, don't neglect your plumbing system.

Why You Should Fill the Bathtub with Water During a Hurricane

Filling your bathtub with water during a hurricane ensures a backup water supply in case municipal systems go offline. During a storm, power outages or broken water mains can leave you without running water for days.

A filled tub gives you water for flushing toilets, washing hands, and limited cleaning. However, due to the difficulty in getting tubs and sinks clean, this water is not recommended for drinking and cooking unless it is first disinfected.

Preventing Sewer Backups and Water Damage

Major storms often push more water into sewer systems than they can handle, causing backups into homes. To protect your plumbing:

• Install a backflow valve or sewer check valve. Sewage backflow preventers take time and expertise to install, so if a storm is imminent, there is no time.
• Turn off the main water supply valve coming into the home to prevent any contaminated water from getting into the household water supply pipes.
• Avoid using drains, toilets, or washers during peak hurricane flooding.

These tips are especially important if you live on a floodplain and have a higher risk of flooding.

Emergency Supplies and Backup Planning

Hurricanes often knock out power and water for days. Stock up on these essentials:

• Bottled water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
• Manual can opener and non-perishable food
• Battery-operated radio and flashlights
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Plumbing-specific items like a bucket, gloves, wrench, and water shut-off key

If you don't have time to run to the store, fill all available jugs, thermoses, and pitchers with clean water that can be used later for drinking and cooking. You can also plan on using water inside your water heater tank in an emergency.

After the Storm: What to Check in Your Home’s Plumbing

Once the storm passes and it's safe, you can access hurricane home damage. When it comes to your plumbing, you'll want to look for:

• Wet walls, ceilings, or bubbling paint
• Sewage smells or slow drains
• Standing water in the basement or crawl space
• Mold growth or damp insulation
• Water heater or sump pump damage

If you find hurricane water, knowing how to clean up a flooded basement can prevent further damage.

Stay High and Dry: Consider Home Hurricane Protection Before the Storm

Hurricane house protection requires you to safeguard every system in your home, especially your plumbing. Key steps like shutting off your water and gathering emergency supplies can help you stay ahead of hurricane flooding and post-storm chaos. But if flooding does strike, make sure you know who to call.

Now that you know how to protect your home from a hurricane, we have one last tip: scheduling a pre-hurricane inspection with a licensed Roto-Rooter plumber. It’s the best way to spot issues early and ensure you're ready—no matter what’s coming. Schedule your appointment now for same-day service.