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Hurricane Season Plumbing and Leak Checklist for Greenacres Homes
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and storms affect plumbing in ways people do not expect: fallen trees crack service lines, power outages confuse irrigation timers, generators create carbon monoxide risk, and roof leaks get mistaken for pipe leaks. This checklist covers what to do before, during and after a storm in Greenacres.
Before a Storm
- Find your main water shutoff and make sure it turns. On many Greenacres homes it is on an outside wall where the line enters, or in the garage. Everyone in the house should know where it is.
- Know your water heater. A tank water heater holds water that can be used in an emergency if the supply is interrupted. Learn how its valves and power or gas shutoff work before you need them.
- Fix known leaks now. A small drip becomes a much bigger problem if the power is out, the house is closed up and no one can get a plumber for days.
- Check the AC condensate drain. A clogged AC condensate line overflows faster when the system runs hard during humid storm weather.
- Do not drain the pool. An empty pool can be damaged by groundwater pressure in saturated soil. Follow your pool professional’s advice on water level, and turn off the pump and heater as recommended.
- Photograph your home now. Dated photos of ceilings, floors and plumbing areas give you a before picture for any claim.
- Buy carbon monoxide alarms and water sensors. Both are inexpensive and both matter after a storm.
During the Storm
- Stay informed and follow official instructions from local emergency management.
- If you evacuate, consider closing the main water shutoff so a break while you are away cannot flood the house.
- If water starts coming in, move valuables and electronics up and away, and keep clear of any water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- Never run a generator indoors, in a garage or near windows and doors. Carbon monoxide from generators is a serious danger during and after storms.
After the Storm: The First Day
Check for gas first
If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility from outside. See our gas leak safety guide.
Follow any boil water notice
After major storms, Palm Beach County Water Utilities may issue precautionary boil water notices for affected areas. Follow them until they are lifted.
Look for fallen trees near lines
An uprooted tree can crack the buried service line between the meter and the house. Photograph any fallen tree near the line. The county’s policy considers acts of nature, such as an uprooted tree, for its usage credit when you can document it.
Do the meter test
With everything off, check the meter. If it moves, a line may have broken. Close the main at the house: if the meter keeps moving, the break is on the service line in the yard.
Check the ceilings
New stains after a storm are usually roof or window leaks, but not always. See the table below.
After the Storm: The First Week
- Reset the irrigation timer. Power outages can reset controllers to factory schedules that water daily. Most homes are limited to two days a week under South Florida Water Management District rules. A wet yard on an off day may also mean a broken sprinkler line.
- Before cleanup digging, contact Sunshine 811 so buried utility lines can be marked. Stump grinding and fence replacement are common ways lines get hit after storms.
- Have flooded appliances inspected before using them, especially gas water heaters and dryers.
- Dry what got wet. The U.S. EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth.
- Check the pool. Heavy rain can hide a leak for weeks. Once things settle, a bucket test tells you whether the pool is really holding. See pool leak detection.
Roof Leak or Plumbing Leak?
| Clue | Points toward |
|---|---|
| Stain appeared during or right after heavy rain and does not grow in dry weather | Roof, window or wall leak |
| Water meter moves with everything off | Plumbing supply leak |
| Water near the air handler, worse when the AC runs | AC condensate |
| Wet only after a shower or flush upstairs | Drain side plumbing |
| Stain keeps growing days after the rain stopped | Possibly plumbing; worth testing |
If you are not sure, our hidden leak detection service tests the plumbing so you know whether you need a plumber, a roofer or both.
Keep Records for Insurance
Storm claims can involve wind, flood and plumbing coverage, each with different rules. Photograph everything before cleanup, keep receipts for emergency measures, and get a written report of any plumbing leak source. Our guide to insurance and water leaks in Florida explains the terms that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off my water before a hurricane?
If you are evacuating or the house will be empty, closing the main water shutoff can prevent a flood from a broken pipe while you are away. Know where your valve is before the storm.
Should I drain my pool before a hurricane?
No. An empty pool can be damaged by groundwater pressure in saturated soil. Follow your pool professional’s advice on water level and equipment.
Can a fallen tree break my water line?
Yes. Uprooted trees can crack the buried service line. Photograph any fallen tree near the line and do the meter test. The county considers documented acts of nature, like an uprooted tree, for its usage credit.
Why is my sprinkler running every day after the storm?
Power outages can reset irrigation controllers. Reprogram your watering days to match South Florida Water Management District rules.
Is a ceiling stain after a hurricane a roof or plumbing leak?
Usually the roof or a window, if it appeared with the rain and stops growing in dry weather. If the water meter moves with everything off, or the stain keeps growing, test the plumbing too.
Question not answered here? Call (561) 783-8857 and ask. Talking it through costs nothing.
Related Leak Services in Greenacres
Storm Damage You Cannot Explain?
If the meter is moving or a stain keeps growing after the rain stops, call us. We will find whether it is plumbing and quote the visit before we come out.
Star Florida Leak Detection, 4021 S 57th Ave #105, Greenacres, FL 33463. Member of PHCC and the South East Apartment Association. This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice.