Storm season in Florida can be unpredictable and costly for anyone unprepared, but especially for municipalities that rely on a well-functioning storm pipe system to keep their communities safe. Florida’s storm systems work hard all year long to expel water quickly and efficiently, but waiting until wet weather begins before you perform maintenance can lead to risks and costly challenges.
The dry season (January through May) is the ideal time to inspect, clean, and repair your storm pipe system. With lower water levels, work can be completed faster, more efficiently, and with fewer complications. Scheduling your maintenance during this timeframe not only ensures your community is ready for the next storm season, but also generates savings and limits risk. Here are three major advantages to completing storm pipe maintenance during the dry season.
1. Dry Season Maintenance Is A Better Value
Performing storm pipe maintenance and repair during the dry season is usually the most cost effective approach. When crews work in the dry season, there is less need for dewatering, which means fewer pumps, less equipment, less time, and lower project costs.
During the rainy season, active water flow in storm systems can make it difficult to access critical infrastructure, which increases time, labor, and equipment requirements. When water levels are high, crews have to divert or expel water before the work can begin — which can make a project even more expensive.
By scheduling maintenance between January and May, storm infrastructure is much easier to access, which allows for fewer delays and better efficiency. Plus, there is less of a risk that workdays will be interrupted by storms or safety constraints. Crews can work longer, uninterrupted days, allowing for more work to be completed in less time and at a lower cost.
2. Post Storm Season Maintenance Maximizes Performance
The dry season is the best time to assess and clean storm pipes. After your system bears the brunt of a long storm season, a professional can assess, clean, and repair your storm infrastructure. Cleaning your system during the dry season helps to remove sediment, leaves, and debris while preventing new vegetation growth inside pipes. Removing debris buildup is critical for restoring maximum flow rates and preventing blockages.
Cleaning your system between January and May helps to restore flow capacity before the next storm season, which reduces the risk of backups and localized flooding during storm season. This means less downtime and fewer disruptions during storm season and less risk during a major hurricane, which ultimately protects roads and neighborhoods and prevents erosion and structural damage.
Post-season maintenance doesn’t just maximize performance, it also allows you to identify infrastructure problems before it’s too late. With CCTV inspections, Atlantic Pipe Services (APS) can identify cracks and root intrusions before they lead to a disaster during a hurricane.
3. Easier Scheduling And Better Availability
Fall is a busy time for storm pipe maintenance in Florida. Demand spikes every year after the first major storm event occurs. Easy scheduling and contractor availability are major advantages of scheduling this work for the springtime. Many municipalities and developers take a reactive approach to storm pipe repair, which means service is often more expensive and more difficult to schedule. By scheduling earlier in the year, you can have the work done on your schedule instead of waiting weeks for availability.
When it comes to storm prep, a proactive approach can give you peace of mind and prevent significant damage to property and communities. By taking care of your annual cleanings and repairs early in the year, your system will be ready to perform at full capacity, and you don’t have to deal with the stress and expense of reactive maintenance.
Proactive Storm Pipe Maintenance Allows You To Enter Storm Season With Confidence
Storm season is unpredictable, so the best thing you can do is be prepared. Waiting for problems to arise during storm season can quickly lead to a catastrophe or unplanned expense. Planning ahead is the best way to keep your storm system functioning and reduce stress during a major storm event. Proactive maintenance also helps extend the lifespan of your system.
At APS, we partner with clients to develop proactive maintenance plans that keep storm systems performing their best. Our experienced crews use advanced equipment and screening techniques for cleaning, inspection, and rehabilitation, which help you identify and correct minor issues before they become major problems. Don’t wait to schedule your dry season maintenance. Give us a call today.
