How to Prepare Your Home for Storm Season

Storm season doesn't give much warning. One severe weather event can knock out power for days, overwhelm drainage systems, and push water into places it was never meant to go.

The damage from storms is often preventable. The homes that fare best aren't necessarily newer or more expensive. They're the ones where a few critical systems were checked and maintained before the storm hit.

This guide covers four areas that deserve attention before the next big storm: backup power, gutters, sump pumps, and drainage. Each one plays a role in keeping your home safe, dry, and functional when the weather turns.

Backup Generators: Keeping Your Home Running When the Grid Goes Down

Power outages during storms are common, and they're lasting longer. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American household experienced over eight hours of power interruption in recent years. In areas hit by severe storms, outages can stretch into days.

When the power goes out, so does your heating system, your cooling system, your sump pump, your refrigerator, and any medical equipment that depends on electricity. A backup generator solves that problem.

Portable vs. standby generators:

• Portable generators are less expensive upfront and can power a few essentials like lights, a refrigerator, and phone chargers. They require manual setup, fuel management, and should never be run indoors or in an attached garage due to carbon monoxide risk.
• Standby generators are permanently installed outside the home and connected directly to your electrical panel. They turn on automatically within seconds of a power outage and can run your entire home, including HVAC, sump pumps, and appliances. They run on natural gas or propane, so there's no need to store fuel.

For homeowners who want reliable, hands-off protection, a whole-home standby generator is the stronger option. It eliminates the scramble of dragging a portable unit outside in a storm and ensures critical systems like your furnace and sump pump never lose power.

What to know before installation:

• A licensed electrician should handle the installation, including a transfer switch that safely disconnects your home from the grid when the generator kicks in.
• Generators need to be sized correctly. An undersized unit won't handle the load. An oversized one wastes fuel and money.
• Local codes and HOA rules may dictate where a standby unit can be placed and how far it must sit from windows and property lines.

If you already have a generator, test it before storm season begins. Run it under load, check the oil and filters, and make sure the transfer switch operates correctly. A generator that hasn't been tested is a generator you can't count on.

Learn More: Generator Services in Central Ohio

Gutter Cleaning: Your First Line of Defense Against Flooding

Gutters are easy to forget about until they fail. Their job is simple: catch rainwater from the roof and direct it away from the foundation. When they're clogged, that water has nowhere to go. It overflows, pools around the base of the house, and eventually finds its way inside.

During a heavy storm, clogged gutters don't just overflow. They can also cause:

• Foundation damage. Water pooling at the base of the home erodes soil and can crack the foundation over time.
• Basement flooding. Water that saturates the ground near the foundation increases hydrostatic pressure, pushing moisture through walls and floor joints.
• Fascia and soffit rot. Standing water in gutters backs up against the roofline, causing wood rot and potential roof leaks.
• Ice dams in winter. Blocked gutters trap water that freezes, creating dams that force melt water under shingles.

How often to clean gutters: At minimum, twice a year. Once in late spring after pollen and seed pods have fallen, and again in late fall after the leaves are down. Homes surrounded by trees may need more frequent attention.

What to look for during cleaning:

• Leaves, twigs, and sediment buildup in gutter channels
• Downspouts that are clogged or disconnected
• Sagging sections where water is pooling instead of flowing
• Downspout extensions that are too short (water should discharge at least four feet from the foundation)

If climbing a ladder isn't something you're comfortable with, hire a professional. Gutter cleaning is one of the most cost-effective things you can do to prevent water damage, and it's far cheaper than repairing a flooded basement.

Sump Pump Maintenance: Making Sure It Works When You Need It Most

A sump pump is your basement's last line of defense against flooding. It sits in a pit below the floor, collects groundwater as it rises, and pumps it out through a discharge pipe before it reaches your living space.

The problem is that most homeowners don't think about their sump pump until it fails, and it tends to fail at the worst possible time: during a heavy rainstorm when the water table is rising fast.

How to test your sump pump:

• Pour a bucket of water slowly into the sump pit. The float switch should rise and activate the pump.
• Watch the water level drop as the pump engages. It should empty the pit quickly and shut off on its own.
• If the pump doesn't turn on, check that it's plugged in and that the outlet has power. Then check the float switch for obstructions.

Common sump pump problems:

• Stuck float switch. The float can get wedged against the side of the pit or tangled in the power cord. Repositioning the pump or adjusting the float arm usually fixes this.
• Clogged intake screen. Sediment, gravel, and debris can block the intake, reducing the pump's ability to pull water in.
• Failed check valve. The check valve prevents pumped water from flowing back into the pit. If it fails, the pump cycles endlessly without making progress.
• Power loss. This is the big one. If the power goes out during a storm, a standard sump pump goes out with it. A battery backup sump pump or a whole-home generator ensures the pump keeps running regardless.

Testing the pump once every few months, and always before storm season, takes less than five minutes and can save thousands in water damage.

Blocked Drains: Clearing the Path Before the Storm Hits

Floor drains, exterior drains, and storm drains all serve the same purpose: moving water away from where it can cause damage. When any of these are blocked, water backs up. During a storm, a blocked drain can turn a manageable amount of water into a flooded basement or a waterlogged yard.

Interior drains to check:

• Basement floor drains. These are the drains set into your basement floor, usually near the water heater or laundry area. They connect to the sewer or storm system and are designed to handle minor water intrusion. Over time, they collect sediment, lint, and debris. If the drain has a P trap (and most do), it can also dry out, which won't cause flooding but will allow sewer gases into your home. Pour water down the drain periodically to keep the trap sealed.
• Utility sink and laundry drains. Hair, soap residue, and lint from washing machines can clog these over time. A slow drain during normal use becomes a backup during heavy use or storm-related water intrusion.

Exterior drains to check:

• French drains and channel drains. These collect surface water and direct it away from the foundation. Check that they're clear of leaves, mulch, and soil.
• Window well drains. Basement windows with wells should have drains at the bottom. If these clog, water fills the well and can break through the window or seep through the seal.
• Downspout discharge points. Confirm that the water exiting your downspouts has a clear path away from the house. Underground extensions can clog with roots and debris over time.

Signs of a drainage problem:

• Water stains on basement walls or floors
• Musty smell in the basement, especially after rain
• Standing water in window wells or near the foundation
• Gurgling sounds from floor drains during heavy rain

If you notice any of these, address them before the next storm. Some are simple fixes. Others, like a compromised main sewer line or a collapsed French drain, require professional diagnosis.

Learn More: Plumbing Services in Central Ohio

Learn More: Drain Services in Central Ohio

Putting It All Together

Storm preparedness isn't about any single system. It's about making sure the systems you already have are actually working. A backup generator keeps your sump pump running. Clean gutters keep water from overwhelming your foundation. A tested sump pump catches what gets through. Clear drains give that water somewhere to go.

Each one of these protections is straightforward to check and maintain. Taken together, they're the difference between riding out a storm comfortably and dealing with a costly, stressful cleanup.

If it's been a while since any of these systems were inspected, or if you're not sure where to start, Fire & Ice Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric can help. Our team handles generator installation, sump pump service, and drain diagnostics. You can learn more on our Electrical Services and Plumbing Services pages.