Freeze & Flood Risk Check for Alexandria

Flash flooding off Cameron Run and Four Mile Run and tidal flooding along the Old Town waterfront put storm water into low homes and basements. Add hard winter freezes that burst old pipes, aging supply lines and appliance hoses in the many pre-1980 homes, single sump pumps that fail in a storm, and stacked-condo ceiling leaks in the West End.

Keep gutters, downspouts, and yard drains clear and carrying water well away from the house, grade the soil so it slopes away from the foundation, seal wall cracks and cold joints, and make sure any sump pump has a battery backup for when the power goes out in a storm.

On a hard freeze, insulate pipes running through exterior walls, the garage, and unheated crawl spaces, let a faucet drip so water keeps moving, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, and keep the heat on even when you travel. Many Alexandria homes predate 1980 and have vulnerable original plumbing.

If it is safe, shut the water off at the main, stay off the wet floor, keep clear of outlets and the electrical panel, and call us. If the water is a sewer or drain backup, do not touch it, it is Category 3 black water. We talk you through the rest while a crew is on the way.