March 25, 2024

Ampac

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Effectively Protecting Your Abode from Disastrous Flooding

13 ways to protect your property from floods

Throughout much of history, flooding has always been known for being one of the most destructive forces of nature that could cause widespread damage to various manufactured structures. Not only is flooding generally unsanitary since this can wash up waste and dirt from the surface, but this can also cause permanent damage to different parts of your home.

It’s important to note that many homes are built to withstand different elements of nature, such as water damage, high-energy impacts from hailstorms, high winds, and even earthquakes. But even though most homes are versatile towards any weather condition, flooding is still known for being one of the most destructive natural disasters. In fact, it’s known that the majority of insurance companies that deal with homes do not cover flooding since it’s known for costing billions of dollars and is generally “unavoidable.” It’s also known that flooding is known for causing around $3.7 billion worth of damages in 2019 alone.

In reality, there are a variety of ways when it comes to mitigating damages from flooding. Here’s what you’ll need to know in this situation.

Preparing Your Home

But before we can discuss what are some practical ways of keeping much of your home in a pristine condition even after a flood, we have first to address one of the most important questions asked in this situation: how do you prepare your home? 

It’s essential to keep in mind that various factors need to be considered that could affect flooding. Usually, homes situated in a floodplain are more prone to flooding since water tends to pool towards the lowest point in an area. 

But regardless of whether you’re within a floodplain or not, a lot of other natural phenomena can still damage your homes, such as landslides. Ponding water can also cause damage and be potentially dangerous for inhabitants. Although prevention is one of the best ways of ensuring that your home’s structural integrity is preserved, it’s still important to prepare necessities for emergencies. 

The first thing you’ll need to consider if your home is situated in a high-risk flooding area is an emergency kit that can help prioritize safety and your necessities. In addition to preparing and buying necessities that you’ll need, it’s essential to start drawing up an evacuation plan in case water levels start rising. 

Your emergency plan should have the following: 

  • Toiletries
  • Canned food and other types of non-perishable goods that’s vital for your needs
  • Enough on-hand cash that you can use

But other than drawing up an evacuation plan and having emergency supplies on standby, what are some ways of flood-proofing your home? Here’s what you can do.

Keeping Your Waterways Clear

First and most importantly, one of the most crucial ways of floodproofing your home is by ensuring that your drainage systems and your pipes are in functional condition. One of the main reasons floods happen is that drainage and downspout systems fail to redirect water towards the appropriate drainage systems. Not only does this cause a major backup of sewage, but this can also add to the rising levels of water.

That said, proper and constant maintenance of your pipes is the best solution to keeping much of your waterways clear and ready for these situations. Fortunately, professional plumbers available for 24 hours can help keep your pipes and your drainage system in an orderly and pristine condition.

Cleaning Your Gutters 

Concerning your pipes and drainage system, it’s also important to consider keeping your gutters clear. Your home’s roofing system is specifically designed for different types of weather conditions, which makes it especially useful against heavy rain. Heavy rain is also a major contributor to flooding. If this is the case, water should be redirected towards the appropriate pipes and waterways. Cleaning your gutter and downspouts is one of the best ways of ensuring that water is disposed of in the right areas.

Relocating Your Furniture

Last but not least, one of the most crucial parts of floodproofing your home is that you should start relocating your furniture if it’s going to be damaged from a sudden rise in water levels. This is especially true when it comes to furniture with wooden and metal surfaces. Water damage can quickly cause wood to rot and molds to form. On the other hand, water can cause rusting on metal surfaces. 

If you’re living in a multi-story home, you might want to consider moving your furniture towards higher ground. Start by prioritizing valuable items and sentimental.

You’ll need to keep in mind a variety of things when it comes to keeping your home safe from flooding damage. Although you might have to spend more than usual to ensure that your home is preserved, it’s a better choice than having to spend thousands of dollars replacing essential parts of your home from flood and water damage.

Still, it’s crucial to remember that emergency supplies should be your priority. Although preventing damage to your home might help keep inhabitants safe, preparing necessities is an integral part of disaster management. As stated in Murphy’s law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Meta title: Floodproofing: Essential Strategies to Protect Your Home
meta desc: A flood can cause billions of dollars worth of damages. Here are some vital factors you should consider that can keep your home in pristine condition.