Prevent Your Home from Flooding

If you want to prevent your home from flooding, there are certain measures you need to take to enact those steps properly. What plans do you have in place for protecting your home? There is a long list of hazards that your home is at risk of. One of those exposures is flooding. Property ownership may be the largest and most significant investment that people make in their lives.

Flooding Safeguards

Safeguarding this investment now and in the future will be the means not to jeopardize it when bad weather strikes. Flooding is not only the most common natural disaster in the U.S., but it also comes with expensive repairs. Keep in mind that flooding can happen anywhere. It is impossible to prevent a natural disaster from occurring. However, there are ways to secure your property to manage damages. You must understand your level of risk and how you can protect yourself and your property against floods.

Inside the House

When it comes to the interior of your home, it would be helpful to elevate or foolproof any mechanical units at least 12 inches above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) - which your local floodplain manager can help you determine. It may include furnaces, water heaters, electrical systems, and other utilities on masonry, concrete, or pressure-treated lumber. Also, tiles are more food-resistant than carpet. Installing tile or other food-resistant materials in spaces below the BFE will help reduce flood water damage. It will be wise to install flood vents in foundation walls, garages, and other enclosed areas to allow water to flow correctly through and drain out. For basements, you can minimize damage by sealing walls with waterproofing compounds and installing a sump pump. Even flood-resistant insulation and drywall are available to help reduce the damage and make for an easier clean-up. Flooding can lead to sewage backup through drain pipes in your home so consider consulting with a plumber and investing in a sewer backflow valve.  A food insurance policy for your home will need to be in place to protect your home and its contents finally. Be sure to document all of your belongings by taking photos of high-value items or doing a video walkthrough of your home to help make for a smooth insurance claims process.

Outside the House 

It may be a wise investment for you to elevate your home. It will prepare the property for floods as well as reduce insurance premiums. The proper home elevation is above the BFE, which means the house is at much less risk. Secure items in your yard by attaching them to more concrete structures. The objects could get loose, causing even more damage. Check that the caulking around windows and doors is not cracked, broken, or missing, and fill any gaps around pipes and wires that lead into the home. It is also helpful if your yard slopes away from buildings on your property and water have a place to drain. Ensure that your gutters are kept clear of debris and tend to any drainage issues immediately. You may even want to consider installing water-resistant exterior sheathing on walls and sealing them to prevent shallow flooding from damaging your home. In your best interest, secure a strong flood and earthquake insurance plan for your home so you will not be left in a financially devastating situation if a disaster strikes. 

About David G. Sayles Insurance Services

At David G. Sayles Insurance Services, we help our clients decide which of these options is best for them based on their current situation and risk factors. Contact us at 1-855-977-1842 or insureme@dsayles.mysites.io for a consultation!