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Floods are one of the most common and expensive natural disasters that hit many parts of the US. Every year, floods cause massive damage to lives and property in various countries across the world. People and governments spend billions of dollars to clean up the damage caused by flooding water.
If you reside in a flood-prone area, you should be aware of some of the essential precautions to prevent and reduce the damage caused by flooding water. Since excess rain and flooding can wreak havoc on your property and can leave it permanently damaged, you should take the necessary measures to avoid them.
So, here, we will discuss six tips to prevent flood damage and secure your property.
6 Essential Tips To Prevent Flood Damage
Taking the necessary precautions can reduce flood damage to a great extent. So, the following are the 6 essential tips to prevent and reduce this damage.
However, along with implementing these tips, you should always seek help from a professional restoration company like Bedrock Restoration to make your house flood-proof.
- Keep Your Drainage System In Good Health
Drainage is a crucial factor that can worsen the effects of a flood on your property. Dirt and debris can clog your drainage system, preventing water flow. In addition, a faulty drainage system may direct flood water towards your home, causing foundation damage.
Thus, schedule regular cleaning of the drainage system to keep it in good health. Regular maintenance will also reduce the chances of leaks and gaps in the system.
Besides, your drainage system should always slope away from the foundation of your house. However, if you find any problems with the slope, you should immediately get them rectified by a professional.
- Know The Flood Risk Of Your Zone
You should know the extent of flood risk in your zone from the local authorities in your jurisdiction and prepare your house accordingly.
Knowing the flood risk, you can determine the base flood elevation that tells you how high the water will rise during a flood. It can help you take the necessary precautions by protecting your valuables.
Moreover, you should place all electronic devices above the base flood elevation in your house. You should also place all the switches and electrical outlets at least a foot above the base elevation.
In addition, installing water vents can help with the flow of water. You can also seal the walls from the outside so that flood water doesn’t get inside the house.
- Take Measure To Prevent Backflow In Your Sewage System
Your sewer system should have backflow prevention valves that take water from your house to the main sewers and prevent the sewer water from getting into your home.
However, during a flood, the sewer system may back up water into your house if it has been damaged or doesn’t have a proper seal. Tree roots and clogging by debris are the primary culprits for damaged sewers.
So, you should get your sewers checked by a plumber to know whether they have proper valves and seals that will allow the flow of water in only the outside direction. It can save you a lot of money and help reduce the damage incurred due to a flood.
Besides, regular sewer inspection and cleaning services can also ensure the system’s proper functioning.
- Make Your House Leak-Proof
If there are cracks and crevices in the foundation of your house, you are more likely to incur huge damage in the event of a flood. In addition, basements, roofs, and low-level window wells are major pathways through which flood water can get into the house and damage your valuables.
So, if you are living in a flood-prone area, you should get an inspection done of your foundation, repair any cracks, and seal the exterior.
You should also install a flood-proofing system that closes and becomes watertight during a flood. Also, repair leaky roofs and clear gutters so water can flow outward easily from your roof.
- Remove Crumbling Structures From The Surrounding
Crumbling structures near your house can lead to water pooling and excessive water damage to your property. In addition, worn-out asphalt and concrete in the vicinity of your property can block the water flow and leach up to the house’s foundation.
Ensuring that the surroundings are clean and creating a slope away from the house can help with the easy flow of water. You can also use landscaping techniques to make your property flood-proof.
Mulch and grass can absorb water more quickly and prevent its accumulation. Also, making a trench drain or channel can allow water to flow away easily.
- Install A Sump Pump
A sump pump can efficiently remove water if accumulated in your house’s crawlspace or basement. It is one of the most common wet-proofing appliances that allow a balance of water inside and outside your home. It can prevent damage to your foundation and can also hinder the growth of mold and mildew.
Besides, sump pumps can help you save thousands of dollars with an inexpensive installation. You should thus regularly maintain these pumps and test them to ensure they are functioning correctly.
However, you should remember that a sump pump only works in low-ground areas.
Other Ways To Prevent Flood Damage
Some other ways of preventing flooding damage include practicing the following measures.
- Install water sensors and flood detection systems that alert you about leaks and unusual water levels.
- Remove leaves, mulch, dirt, and debris from drains, ditches, gutters, and downspouts.
- Store all important documents and paperwork in a watertight box.
- Keep all valuables and electronic items like TVs, air conditioners, and computers in an elevated position.
- Keep all the warning systems handy.
Final Thoughts
The rising floods across the globe have become a major concern, and people should take all precautions to prevent and reduce the damage they cause. You can adopt several measures to avoid flood damage to your property and save thousands of dollars by keeping your drains and sewage systems clean and debris-free.
The 6 essential tips mentioned in this article can help you reduce and prevent most of the flood damage and make your house properly flood-proof.