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Health & Fitness

Tropical Storm Sandy is Approaching - Is Your Home Ready?

Tips to prepare yourself and your home for extreme weather


Outstanding has a few tips to prepare you for extreme weather.

When Mother Nature comes calling with anything other than sweet sunshine and balmy temperatures, you have cause for concern. Especially when "she" decides to send the extreme stuff, like an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and other such pleasantries. The weathermen are forecasting the possibility of Tropical Storm "Sandy" hitting the East Cost this weekend. And let's face it - it's always better to be on the safe side.

So what's a homeowner to do? Well, as your preferred plumbing, heating and drain cleaning resource, Outstanding would like to offer a few ideas on how, when and why to turn off your main water and power supplies as well as how to check your sump pump before a storm hits.

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Checking Your Sump Pump

One of the most important devices in your home in terms of storm preparedness is your sump pump. Located in the basement, a sump pump helps keep your basement dry by pumping water out.

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A simple test is to locate your sump pump, make sure it is plugged in, and then slowly pour a 5 Gallon bucket of water into the pit where the sump pump is located. This will cause the pump to turn on and pump that water outside. If the pump does not turn on, you can call us to come check it out.

In addition, we are now offering Water Powered Sump Pumps - which work even if your house loses power, unlike a traditional sump pump that relies on electricity.

Water Shut-Off Procedures

Following a natural disaster, conduct a visual inspection for leaks in your various plumbing systems. Also, check your water supply lines by turning water faucets on and off. If the cold water stops running, runs very slowly after a few seconds, or is dirty, you most likely have a leak.

In that event, you'll want to shut off your main water supply. There are two basic means:

  • Turn off the water where it enters the house...in many homes, there's a valve just below your main outdoor faucet;
  • Or, you can shut down your water supply by turning the valve attached to your water meter.

Water valves either have round or lever-type handles. With a lever, you only have to make a one-quarter turn to shut off your water. Round handles are typically harder to turn, so you may have to give it a few tries. To turn off your water, turn the handle clockwise. And if you don't have a main water shut off, you should have one installed.

Power Shut-Off Procedures

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, do not turn lights on or off or use matches if you have gas heat! Instead, use flashlights to check for gas leaks to prevent an explosion or fire. If you do hear or smell a leak, shut off your gas valve and immediately open your doors and windows to vent the accumulated gas.

Also, if you hear sparking sounds or see/smell smoke, then you need to turn off your electrical power. If your house has fuses, you'll find a knife switch or pull-out fuse that should be marked "Main." If you have a circuit breaker, turn off the small breakers first, and then the "Main" breaker. But whatever you do, never remove the metal cover.

Want to Know More?

For more information on how to protect your home following a natural disaster, call us today at 631.615.9184 or check us out online at www.Outstandingplumber.com


Also, we invite you to use this ad to save $50.00 off your next service call when work is performed. (Cannot be combined with other offers)

Have a better than great day and remember Outstanding is here to serve you with any of you plumbing, heating and drain cleaning needs, and so much more.

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