Protect Your Home During a Flood

2/11/2023 (Permalink)

You might think of your home as a safe haven, but it can also be a liability. If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, you may want to make sure your property is protected against water damage. Ensuring that the exterior of your home is sealed and proper drainage for heavy rainfall is crucial to saving your home from flood damage.

Seal your foundation.

Seal any cracks in your foundation. This will keep large amount of rainfall from seeping through into your crawlspace causing water damage under your home. Seal cracks in basement walls, garage walls, and floors to keep the water away from potential personal belongings. Last repair any leaks from plumbing or appliances that you may have already seen potential for flood and water damage.

Maintain drainage areas.

The drainage areas around your home should be kept clear of debris and maintained. A good rule of thumb is that any drainage area that is less than 6 feet wide should be sloped away from the house, with a grade of at least 1/4 inch per foot. If there is not enough room for this slope, then fill it with gravel to prevent water from pooling in low spots and causing damage to foundations or flooring inside the house.

Gravel can also help absorb some of the shock waves caused by lightning strikes on metal roofs. It's important to clean out these areas regularly so they don't become clogged up with leaves and other debris that could cause flooding if left unattended over time.

Install a sump pump.

A sump pump is a great way to keep your home safe from flooding. These devices can be installed in basements or other areas of the home, and they can be installed by a professional or DIY. Sump pumps need to be maintained regularly so that they work when needed most, but if you want to install one yourself, here's what you need:

• A sump basin (the container where water collects)
• A check valve (prevents backflow)
• An overflow pipe with a float switch attached
• A submersible pump

Water is fast! Water can cause structural damage, as well as interior damage. In some cases where there has been severe flooding in homes it's because they didn't have any kind of backup system installed, these alarms alert you when there is a large amount of water fall helping you to escape from your home or property before you can't.

Remember that prevention is always the best option, so if anything seems suspicious in your neighborhood (like standing water), report it immediately! Give SERVPRO of Providence a call at the first sign of water damage from flood waters in your home or business.