Did you know that according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 50 US states have undergone some amount of flooding in the past five years? Here are some tips to prevent house floods.
Floods and stormwater can wreak havoc on your property. Plus, if you reside in a flood plain or a flood zone, the risk of flooding is multiplied. To top it all off, even your homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding.
Thankfully, there are some easy ways to help prevent house floods and save thousands of dollars and countless hours of stress.
Repair Leaks Immediately
Water can enter inside your home through leaky pipes and roofs and lead to significant damage. Therefore, you should always keep an eye out for wet patches on the ceiling and pooling water in the basement. Regularly check the pipes in your house and look for any visible drops of water, rust, and buckling. If you come across a leak, make sure you repair immediately repair it.
Seal Up Cracks in Your Foundation
You can buy and use masonry caulk or mortar to properly fill in any gaps in your foundation to floodproof your property. However, if you notice that water is continuously seeping into your property, you may want to look for a long-term solution.
Keep Gutters Clean
Clogged downspouts and rain gutters can cause water to accumulate around your foundation. Make rain gutter maintenance a part of your fall and spring cleaning routine. Add leaf guards and remove leaves from the gutters to prevent debris from building up. For further protection, install downspout extenders that can channel water up to 10 feet away from your property.
Check Your Sump Pump Regularly
Make sure you frequently inspect your sump pump and ensure that it can quickly remove water during heavy rains. You should also consider installing a UPS or a battery backup in case the power goes out. This way, your sump pump can continue to work until the power is restored. In fact, now you can even purchase sump pumps with a battery backup incorporated inside the system.
Ensure that each pipe entering inside your property has valves. This will help to prevent a flooded sewage system from backing up into your property. Ideally, you should install gate valves instead of flap valves as they offer improved protection against floodwaters.
Have Your Lawn Graded Away from Your Property
If your lawn is tilted towards your home, rainwater can accumulate there, and there’s a high chance it can seep inside. You can use a heavy soil, containing sand and clay to regrade your lawn, so that surface runoff empties into a street gutter. If you’re sure about how to properly grade your lawn, you can hire a professional.
Last Few Words
If your property has been through a flood or any other kind of water damage, the Service Team of Professionals will restore your home or property to its clean and dry state as fast as possible.
To reach our water damage restoration team, dial (480) 418-4097 or visit our website!
