Most plumbing emergencies give small warnings first. A damp cabinet. A slow drain. A toilet that keeps running. A little attention each season catches many of them early. This calendar is built for the Tampa area, where humidity stays high, summer storms come almost daily and hurricane season runs June to November.
Why timing matters here
Heat and moisture are hard on plumbing. Rubber washers and hoses wear out. Condensation can look like a leak. Heavy rain can slow the sewer system and test your drains. And many homes here are concrete block on a slab, so a hidden pipe problem is harder to see than in a house with a basement.
Doing a little at the right time makes a real difference.
Cooler, drier months
This is the easy season to look around, so use it.
- Find your main shutoff valve. Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is, and that it turns.
- Look under every sink for drips, stains or soft cabinet floors.
- Check the braided supply hoses on toilets and faucets. Replace any that are bulging, rusty or frayed.
- Listen for toilets that run after flushing. A worn fill valve or flapper wastes water.
- Read your water meter with everything off, wait a short while, then read it again. If it moved, a leak may be hiding.
Late spring, before storm season
Get ready before June.
- Locate your sewer cleanout and clear the area around it so a provider can reach it.
- Check outdoor hose bibs and irrigation connections for drips.
- Follow the maker's instructions for your water heater, including any flushing. If you are unsure, ask a provider.
- Keep a small kit by the shutoff: a flashlight, a wrench the right size, towels and a bucket.
- Photograph your fixtures and water heater label. It helps with records later.
Request Help
June to November: storm season habits
Daily rain and the chance of a hurricane call for steady habits.
- Keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of the drains and toilets.
- Run a slow drain test now and then. If a tub or floor drain gurgles, mention it to a provider before the next heavy rain.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear and pointed away from the house so water does not pool near the slab.
- If you will be away for a trip, shut off the main water supply first.
- Watch for trees and large shrubs growing near the sewer line. Roots can find small cracks.
In a condo or managed community, find out who is responsible for shared pipes. Report problems to the association early.
After a big storm
Go slowly.
- If water backs up in the drain closest to the floor, or in a toilet, stop using water in the house and take photos.
- Look around the yard for soggy or sunken spots, which can mean a damaged line.
- Check for new stains on ceilings and walls, especially after wind-driven rain.
- If the water heater or its pipes got wet in a flood, do not turn anything on until a qualified provider has looked at it.
Remember that standing water can carry contamination. Wear gloves and keep children and pets away.
As the season winds down
Around November, do a gentle reset.
- Repeat your under-sink and meter checks.
- Consider a camera inspection if you have had repeat clogs. It shows what is going on inside the line.
- Replace worn toilet parts and old supply hoses.
- Write down what you fixed and when, so next year is easier.
Small habits all year
Some things do not belong to one season. Run each seldom-used tub or guest sink for a minute now and then, so the trap does not dry out and let odors up. Wipe down the base of toilets and look for damp spots. Notice any new sound in the walls when water runs.
You do not need to do everything. Pick two or three habits and keep them. Small checks add up. Keep this list on the fridge and you will spend fewer nights chasing a surprise.
Request Help
Related guides