Floods can happen anytime, anywhere causing havoc on your home or business. Sure, if you live in a flood zone or flood plain your chances are increased, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for one. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 25% of flood damage claims are surprisingly filed in low-risk areas. This is primarily because of flash flooding.
For those who are not familiar with flash floods, these types of floods occur when too much rain hits the ground too fast. This is turn causes the ground to become oversaturated and stop absorbing water. This is particularly dangerous because it happens quickly and can cause serious damage to your basement and foundation.
Don’t be unprepared for a flash flood. Instead, follow these tips to help prevent flood damage to your home:
Check and Clean Gutters
The sole purpose of a gutter is to channel excess rainwater off your roof and far away from your home or business’s foundation. However, if you don’t check your gutters periodically they can become clogged with dirt and leaves and prevent the flow of water. This eventually causes the water to spill over the side of the gutter and empty into your foundation. To prevent this from happening, make it a habit to clean our gutters annually with a leaf blower and high-pressure water hose.
Check for Cracks in the Foundation
In addition to cleaning your gutters, make it a yearly habit to check for cracks in the foundation and seal openings around doors, windows and other potential cracks. This is essential to the health of your home because water can easily leak in through these cracks and damage your belongings. Depending on the side of the crake or leak, you can either fix it with vinyl concrete patching or hire a professional like Rock Foundations to completely waterproof your basement.
Install a Sump Pump
One of the most effective ways to prevent flooding, for those who live in high-risk areas, is to install and maintain a sump pump. A sump pump works by digging a shallow hole in your basement and placing a pump inside. Then, when excess water builds up around your home it fills the hole and pumps out far away from your foundation. This ensures that your foundation remains secure and basement stays dry.
When preventing flood damage it’s important to remain alert to any issues that may arise. Lucky for you, our team at Rock Foundations is experienced with flood damage and can help ensure your home is safe from excess water. Contact us today to see how we can help!
