Many Americans have no flood insurance. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) estimates that only 4% of properties are insured nationwide through the National Flood Insurance Program. Even in flood-prone areas, just one in three properties have flood insurance.
With climate change causing more flooding and extreme weather, in addition to household factors like burst pipes, flood insurance should be an urgent issue. Even if residents don’t have flood insurance, they need to protect their families, homes, and valuables by taking some actions to get water out. Visit this page if you need more info on water damage.
Steps to Avoid Flooding in Your Home
1. Keep Gutters Clean and Point Your Downspouts Away From Your Home
Most homeowners can take care of their gutters without hiring contractors. Thoroughly clean your gutters twice a year: one in fall and one in spring. However, if your home is near many trees, you may need to clean more often in the fall. And during the rainy season, keep an eye on your gutters to spot overflowing or clogs.
When cleaning your gutters, make sure that you practice ladder safety. Place it on level ground and properly lock it in place. Also, wear comfortable non-slip shoes. It’s always safe to hook an empty bucket to the ladder’s top to collect the debris you will remove. Wear gloves and consider taking along a small garden tool like a hand rake to scrape any wet sludge from the bottom of the gutter.
In addition, make sure to point your downspouts away from your house in a proper direction. Otherwise, water can pool at your house’s corners and eventually create leaks in the basement.
2. Fix Leaks Immediately
A small water leak in the house may be stressful, but for a good reason. It means that you have to find the source. If not, it can lead to a bigger problem, including flooding and water damage. Common leaks usually occur in the toilet, pipes under the sink, water lines to appliances, pipes in walls, and roof.
3. Cover Window Wells
Sometimes even newer windows can trap rain and groundwater in the basement. Investing a little in good quality window well covers prevents a more expensive flood damage restoration. Choose covers made of clear acrylic, so plenty of light still enters your basement.
4. Fill in the Cracks
It’s normal to have tiny cracks in your house’s foundation, especially if it’s an old building. But water may enter if you don’t fix them right away, resulting in flooding and weakening the structure of your home. Use concrete patching paste to fill in tiny cracks.
5. Install Check Valves on Your Pipes
A burst pipe is one of the leading causes of home floods. Install check valves on all pipes entering your house to prevent a flooded sewage system from backing up into your home. Consider using gate valves instead of flap valves because they provide a better seal against flood pressure.
6. Leave Space Between Mulch and Siding
Mulch around a house’s foundation can result in some unexpected issues without proper care. During the rainy season, wet mulch can rot your house’s siding leading to leaks. Keep space between your siding and mulch so that the base of your home can completely dry after rainstorms.
What to Do In Case of Flooding
If flooding occurs due to extreme weather, you need to ensure your family’s safety first. Then save important documents, like passports, birth certificates, etc., photographs, appliances, and other valuables. If you don’t have flood insurance, review your auto policy. While your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damage, your car insurance may pay for your vehicle’s damage.
You can ask nonprofit organizations, such as the Red Cross, for relief assistance. The local government, state, and the national government are also helping flood victims with free meals, temporary shelter, etc. When it comes to your damaged home, there’s no other way than to call a reliable water damage restoration company, to repair and restore your property.
You may apply for a low-interest loan for the expenses. But make sure to choose experienced contractors and be aware of hidden charges. The last thing you need now is to pay extra for something you didn’t know in the first place. Ask for recommendations or turn to the internet and search “water mitigation company near me” to choose a contractor within your location.
