What storm preparation steps should homeowners take before the next big weather event?

Even if the last storm didn’t hit your area hard, preparing now can prevent basement flooding, plumbing emergencies, and costly cleanup next time. Here are simple, high-impact steps every homeowner should take before the next major weather event arrives.

TL;DR

• Check your sump pump: Make sure it works and you know how to operate it before flooding begins.
• Clear floor drains: Remove debris so water has a path out of your basement during heavy rain.
• Inspect gutters and downspouts: Clear leaves, twigs, and blockages to prevent water pooling near your foundation.
• Prepare before the next storm—not during it: These small tasks help avoid major water damage.

1. Check your sump pump

If you don’t have a sump pump or don’t know where yours is, call your plumber and have them make sure you have a working sump pump installed and that you know how it operates. A sump pump sends water out of your basement as it floods in. This is valuable not only in hurricanes, but also in other flooding events. At McMahon, we’ve installed thousands of sump pumps and we’re happy to make yours the next!

2. Make sure any floor drains are clear

If you have floor drains in your basement, make sure they are not clogged. If you’ve been regularly maintaining them, this should be easy. Do you suspect a serious problem? Call your plumber! The team at McMahon Plumbing can clean your floor drain. We’ll also give you tips on maintaining it, and help diagnose any other problems before they get worse.

3. Check around your gutters and drain pipes for debris

Take a walk around your home or building. Make sure that the gutters are in good shape and nothing is blocking the end of the downspouts. Even a mild weather event can blow twigs and leaves there – as this stuff piles up it can cause problems in the next storm.

Follow these few tips and you’ll be better prepared for the next weather event!