With peak hurricane season fast approaching, now is the best time for local governments and community managers to ensure their storm systems are in good shape. Proactive maintenance of pipelines is essential to protect public safety and reduce the risk of costly property damage during a major storm. A healthy, well-maintained storm system will be more capable of withstanding severe storms, which will prevent flooding across neighborhoods and protect homes and infrastructure.
Emergency and storm prep services can help ensure your community is ready when disaster strikes. Here are four tips to consider as you’re preparing your storm system for the season ahead.
1. Start With A CCTV Inspection and Routine Cleaning
A visual inspection of your storm pipes is an important first step to determine if there are any blockages or water flow issues. All storm drains, catch basins, and culverts should be checked for debris or sediment buildup. Then, CCTV cameras can assess the underground pipes.
Once the inspection is complete, it’s important to thoroughly clean the system to prevent clogs and blockages. Debris can either be vacuumed or flushed out from the pipes or basins. High-pressure jets can also be used to eliminate invasive tree roots or clogs. Any damaged pipes or joints should be replaced immediately.
2. Be Sure To Clear Discharge Points
While it’s easy to focus on the core pipe system, discharge points are also an important consideration. When your discharge points are left unchecked, they can accumulate debris and clog over time. It’s easy to overlook them until you begin seeing significant back-ups across the community. In sea-adjacent communities, it’s especially important to inspect and clear discharge points because it’s common for barnacles to accumulate inside the pipe and restrict the inner diameter.
Prior to storm season, any debris, vegetation, or barnacles should be removed from the discharge points, and they should be thoroughly cleaned. This will prevent flooding and ensure your system performs efficiently.
3. Check The Overflow Structures
Overflow structures are special components of your system designed to capture and eliminate excess water during a storm. They stop back-ups and effectively redirect or slowly release water to prevent flooding.
These structures are important during a severe storm, as they act as a second line of defense once ditches or retention ponds fill up. Your overflow structures should be inspected, cleaned, and well-maintained — especially in the months leading up to storm season. Good overflow structures are essential to prevent flooding, protect infrastructure, and keep residents safe across the community.
4. Keep An Eye On Storm Inlets
Inlets are a critical component of any storm and sewer system and also need attention during emergency and storm prep services and inspections. Storm inlets direct water into storm drains, so if they’re blocked, run-off has nowhere to go. Storm inlets can easily become clogged by yard waste, trash, and debris. As a result, it’s important to keep an eye on inlets throughout the season. If you notice yards near inlets are constantly saturated, it could be a sign that the inlet is blocked and needs immediate attention. A blocked storm inlet during a storm or hurricane is a recipe for severe flooding and property damage.
Protecting people and property is the top priority for local governments, HOAs, and property managers. Investing in emergency and storm prep services before hurricane season is one of the most important steps you can take, especially if you’re in a coastal community. You never know when disaster will strike, but regular annual maintenance of your storm system will help ensure your community can weather the storm.
Atlantic Pipe Services (APS) can help keep your storm system in great shape. Through a combination of visual inspections and CCTV, we can create a comprehensive report on the status of your storm system, while also performing any necessary cleaning and repairs as needed. As one of the leading commercial pipeline companies in the southeast, our team of experts helps contractors, communities, and municipalities across Florida prepare for storm season, and we can help you too. Contact us today.
