4 Home Flood Water Preparations That Make Sense

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Flood waters can damage your home.

No matter where you live, storms have the potential to cause damage to your property. As recent heavy rains in Yellowstone National Park and other locations indicate, extreme storms have enormous power. One devastating consequence is when flood water becomes so high that it enters your home in Ogden, UT, and causes significant property damage. While many weather events are difficult to prevent, you can take some common-sense precautions that fortify your home against rains and floods.

4 Smart Ways To Minimize Damage From Flood Water

1. Discuss Your Options

Everyone in your household should know what to expect in a flooded building situation. A few timely actions could minimize property damage and increase the safety of loved ones and pets. Children should know about the safest locations to retreat to if water comes into the home, and they should have an understanding of calling for professional help if necessary. The family should also discuss the importance of avoiding electrical features of the home should wires or power boxes become saturated with water.

2. Make a Flood Water Plan

A home plan should go over the evacuation route should a major storm impact your community. Several agencies can help you with this, including the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, as well as other online resources. Your home should have a solid first aid kit that is kept in a high area of the home, protected from rising waters. An evacuation kit should be kept in an easy-to-access place and should include several days of clean water and some non-perishable food. Also, keep in mind important prescriptions should you need to leave your home for several days.

3. Consider Home Modifications

Most homes have a few weaknesses when it comes to flood preparation. It is worthwhile to take a hard look at your home and see what could be done to prevent water from breaching your house. Some of these actions won't cost much money, such as cleaning gutters and making sure any drains on the grounds are working properly.
You could also waterproof your foundation if it has cracks and install a sump pump if your basement is susceptible to leaks or flood waters. A pump with a battery backup will still work during a power outage, a common occurrence during a storm. You could also have a licensed electrician look at your home in light of flood safety.

4. Know Where To Go for Help

Despite your best efforts, floods might still impact your home and cause water damage. At this time, your best action is to call an experienced water mitigation repair company. Highly-trained technicians will arrive in a matter of hours and begin a proven process to restore your home to its original condition. They will remove any standing water, dry out moist areas of the home, restore or replace damaged items and clean and sanitize the home to prevent mold growth and other potential secondary damage issues.

Smart preparations for your home could prevent flood water from causing extensive damage. Getting experienced professional help could also help minimize the impacts of a powerful storm.