Tips for Preventing Your Home From Flooding

Whether you are a homeowner or renting a first-floor unit, worrying about a flood is something all of us can do without. Depending on where you live, flooding season might be an annual presence in your neighborhood.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of flooding in your home. With that in mind, here are some of the best tips for preventing your home from flooding.

Install a Sump Pump or Foundation Vents

If you live in an area with high levels of precipitation, sometimes flooding is inevitable. That’s why a sump pump is excellent for clearing out water that enters your basement or apartment.

A sump is a hole where water can flow out of your home. A sump pump pushes water to this hole so that it doesn’t create puddles indoors. Search for a sump pump with a battery backup if your power goes out during a storm. Foundation vents are also helpful because they let water flow inside them rather than letting the water fill your home.

Use Coatings and Sealants To Fill Cracks

If you’re dealing with minor cracks and gaps, fill them in with a sealant to prevent water from entering. Put coatings on your walls, windows, doorways, and along the foundation to tightly seal your home.

Add Check Valves To Your Pipes

Check valves measure the amount of water flowing through your sewage system and provide a stopgap in the event of an overflow. Install these valves on your pipes if they don’t come with them already. Otherwise, get a professional to install them for you.

Gate valves are generally more effective than flap valves, but both types are better than not having any at all. Scheduling a sewer inspection is another way to ensure your sewer system is functioning correctly.

Maintain Distance Between Your Siding and Mulch

One significant source of rotting that can damage your home is wet mulch. Wet mulch causes the siding to weaken. If your home doesn’t have strong enough siding, water can make its way inside through the tiniest of cracks.

After a storm, check your mulch to see how wet it got and push it away from the siding if it’s too close. Wet mulch prevents your house from drying properly after it rains, so by simply sliding it away, you can lower the risk of costly damage from happening to your property.

Overall, water can still enter your home even when you’ve done everything to prevent it from happening. If the news predicts bad weather in your area, move all your valuables to an elevated location in your home so they don’t get wet on the floor. Keep plumbing use to a minimum. Now that you know a few tips for preventing your home from flooding, you should be well-equipped to defend your home from the next disaster.

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