With flooding plaguing our area and additional rainfall looming in the weekly forecast, we figured there was no better time to share five simple tips to help prevent flooding in your office or home. These preventative measures could help you avoid or minimize unnecessary damage.
Clear and adjust your spouts and gutters. Gutters and drainage downspouts can often become clogged with leaves and other debris. It is recommended that you clean them twice a year to help avoid water collection and overflowing. Clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to foundational damage, roof leaks, and basement leaks. It is also important to confirm that your downspout is pointed away from the house towards an area that can drain properly.
Check where you are storing valuable items or documents. Since flooding is most likely to affect the ground and basement levels, consider storing your valuable items and documents either on another floor, in a water proof container, or on an upper shelf. This simple fix could save you from losing irreplaceable, sentimental, or hard to obtain items.
Have your roof examined. While we often think of flooding as water rushing in on the ground or basement levels, it is also possible to experience flooding from a deteriorating roof. It is considered a best practice to have your roof examined once a year to identify if there are any damaged or missing shingles.
Have check valves installed on your pipes and consider purchasing a basement water sensor. If a building is connected to a municipal sewer, heavy rain can cause sewer or storm drain backups that can cause flooding. Having a contractor install check valves can help prevent flooding since the valves automatically close if water is detected coming into the house or building as opposed to exiting. Another worthwhile purchase (and at a very minimal cost) is to purchase a basement water sensor. The sensor will alert you if it detects standing water which in turn informs you about the potential flooding much sooner.
Evaluate your landscaping. Flood-friendly landscaping can make a huge difference when it comes heavy rain. For example, grading your lawn away from your home or building can help minimize water pooling and redirect runoff water. In addition, allowing appropriate space between your mulch and siding can help minimize unnecessary structural rotting and prevent leakage. You can also leverage the use of plants to help minimize soil erosion. If you are experiencing frequent flooding, it may be worth it to bring a licensed landscaper out to evaluate your property.
While these tips cannot completely prevent flooding, they can help minimize your risk and potential damage. With flooding now regularly occurring outside of “high-risk” zones, we cannot stress enough the importance of investing in flood insurance. If you are interested in learning more, check out our blog on 5 Things You Need to Know About Flood Insurance.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!