What to Know About Your Plumbing if You Live on a Floodplain

When buying a new home, there are many things you'll need to be aware of. You'll likely choose your new house based on certain criteria, such as school district, distance from your job, size and style of the home, and the neighborhood. You'll also have to make decisions like what type of mortgage to get and how much homeowner's insurance you'll need.

One aspect you'll need to consider is your proximity to a floodplain. Floodplains are areas that are more prone to flooding than others. Sometimes, weather-related changes can alter the likelihood of an area to flood. For instance, Sugar Land, Texas, is in an area considered to be at moderate risk of flooding this year.

Most of the time, you will be able to go about your life as normal, but there are some things you should be aware of when you live on a floodplain.

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A flood can pose three distinct threats to a home's plumbing system:

• Contamination of the floodwater. During a flood, sewage can infiltrate the floodwater, which could pose a health risk to anyone who comes in contact with it.

• Backup of sewage. Floodwater can make its way into the sewage system and cause it to overflow.

• Damage to pipes and other sewage system components. Increased water pressure can cause pipes to break and other features of a sewage system to fail which could lead to severe water damage.

There are two strategies that can prevent these events from occurring: elevating the sewage system components, or protecting the components of the system from floodwater. If your home will undergo renovations before or after you move in, you may consider asking the contractor about these strategies.

However, even with the best protection, Mother Nature may still find a way to affect the plumbing in your home. Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage sustained during a flood. If you are living in Sugar Land, Texas, or another flood-prone region, you'll want to consider seeking out an insurance add-on.

Benefits of living near a floodplain

While living on or near a floodplain can cause some distress regarding natural disasters and picking out the right homeowners insurance, there are some advantages to them, too. Floodplains often have rich soil, allowing for agricultural diversity and many opportunities to explore the outdoors. Sugar Land is full of these resources.

If you are worried about your Sugar Land home's plumbing system, contact the local Roto-Rooter. Our experts will help you get your plumbing prepared for any kind of weather.