Effective Ways to Prepare for Flood Damage

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

You should inspect your roof at least once a year

Effective Ways to Prepare for Flood Damage

Sometimes, life simply happens, and there isn't much you can do to foresee or prevent accidents or disasters. Flooding in your Sleepy Hollow,IL, home can be devastating and sometimes difficult to guard against. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risks.

Inside the Home

Many floods start inside your house due to poorly maintained plumbing or water systems. Over time, materials will break down and eventually fail. It's essential to routinely inspect different areas of your home that could cause flood damage. Some of these include:

• Water heater
  
• Pipes under bathroom and kitchen sinks
  
• Toilet
  
• Entire sewage and plumbing system
  
  

Staying on top of maintenance will help ensure the pipes are in good condition. This proactive approach will enable you to spot leaks and identify the possibility of a pipe break.

Outside the Home

Flooding often infiltrates your house from the outdoors. Large storms or main line backups can send water into your basement or through the roof. You should inspect your roof at least once a year. Look for broken or missing shingles, or soft spots. It's also critical to keep rain gutters and downspouts in good condition. Clean out dirt and debris, and replace them if necessary. After a storm, pay attention to how well (or poorly) water is draining away from your home. If it is pooling near the foundation, it could seep into your house and cause storm damage.

Landscape

To keep water from coming into your home, you can try planting trees, bushes and shrubs. Look for plants that naturally absorb water. Also, make sure your property is graded to send water away from your home.

Know the Experts

You should be prepared to call a professional flood cleanup team in case of an emergency. An experienced specialist has the tools and resources to clean up quickly and thoroughly.
You may not be able to stop the rain from coming, but there are things you can do to protect yourself from flooding. Following these tips can bring you peace of mind.