Preparing Your Home for Flood Damage

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Have your roof inspected

4 Ways to Avoid Flooding and Damage to Your Home

Imagine a fierce rainstorm pounding outside your home in Barrington Hills, IL, waking you from your sleep. You decide to get up to get a snack from the kitchen, but when your bare feet touch the carpet in the hallway, you discover it’s soaking wet, and your linoleum floor in the kitchen is covered in standing water. Could these raging waters have been avoided? Possibly. Here are four ways to avoid flooding and the damage it can bring.

1. Take inventory of your possessions.

Make a list of your personal belongings, supported with photographs and/or video. This will be valuable in the event you have to report an insurance claim for flood damage. This inventory should be stored in a waterproof container, with a backup copy in a secure off-site location, such as a safe deposit box.

2. Have your roof inspected and repaired if necessary. It is a good idea to have a reputable roofing contractor inspect your roof for any hidden leaks and make any necessary repairs. This can prevent you from having to make costly repairs at a later time, such as after flooding.

3. Have your trees trimmed. To prevent storm damage caused by overhanging tree limbs blowing against your house, have your trees trimmed ahead of time. Remove any dead limbs or trees. They are more likely to be broken during a storm, leading to damage to your home.

4. Make sure gutters and downspouts are cleaned. Your gutters should be cleaned and any leaks repaired. Check gutters regularly to make sure they are draining properly. Downspouts should be inspected and any clogs removed. To make sure rainwater is directed away from your home, use splash blocks or downspout extension pipes.

Hopefully, your home will never be devastated by flooding. Being proactive and taking steps ahead of time to prepare your home is a decision that can pay off in the long run. In the event that your home does take damage, however, an emergency restoration company can help you in the storm's aftermath.