Recovery after a hurricane is a long and arduous process. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is committed to helping homeowners repair and rebuild their homes and communities in the months ahead.

If your home is impacted by flooding, there may be hidden plumbing damage that you won’t find until a licensed plumber conducts a thorough inspection of your property. Here are a few of the most common post-flood plumbing problems:

Clogged Drains

Floodwater invariably contains some amount of dirt and silt, and when the waters recede, that residue is left behind. Any drains in your home that were covered by floodwater could be clogged with these particles. In many cases, the usual DIY tools -- a plunger or a plumbing snake -- can clear these clogs. But if you’re worried about damage down the pipe and are planning on a professional plumbing inspection anyway, you may want to leave these drains as-is until your plumber gives you the all-clear.

Dirty and Damaged Fixtures

Any plumbing fixtures that suffered physical damage due to wind, structural failure or floating or flying debris will likely need to be replaced. But those that are undamaged will still need some TLC in the form of a thorough cleaning with diluted bleach. When it comes to faucets and shower heads, you may need to disassemble them and soak the individual parts in bleach to prevent mold growth.

Broken Pipes in the Home

The risks of flying debris from a hurricane and floating debris from a flood present a double whammy to your home’s pipes. If a pipe is cracked or broken, you may not even be able to identify the problem until after the floodwater recedes and is completely removed from the home. If you notice new puddles after the floodwater is gone, shut the water off at the main valve while you wait for your plumbing inspection.

Broken Pipes Underground

All that standing water and the saturated soil beneath creates a crushing weight. Unfortunately, buried water and waste lines may fail under this load. If you see sinkholes on your property after the water recedes, that’s a possible sign one or more of these lines has collapsed under your lawn. A plumber may need to conduct a camera inspection to confirm.

Foundation Damage

Pipes can break if they’re moved around by a home’s shifting foundation. Foundation damage can occur during a flood if there’s movement in the saturated soil beneath the foundation. This unsteady ground may make the foundation crack, and plumbing pipes are just one type of building material that could be damaged as a result. In these cases, foundation repair must usually be completed before certain pipes can be replaced.

The damage this extensive can feel overwhelming, but there’s no job too big for the dedicated plumbers at your local Benjamin Franklin. If you’ve been affected by a hurricane or other flooding and need your plumbing inspected or repaired, call today. Contact us at (800) 259-7705!