3 Ways to Protect Your Home During a Flood

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

FEMA will assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts, there are things that you can do before and after a flood to help protect your property.

3 Ways to Protect Your Home During a Flood

Floods can happen at any time, and it's important to be prepared for them. If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, there are a few things you can do before a flood strikes so that you're ready when it does.

Seal any cracks in your home’s foundation.

After you've assessed the damage, it's time to patch the cracks in your foundation. You'll need a waterproof sealant like caulking or silicone sealant for this job. If you have silicone-based paint, use that instead of a separate caulking product because it can also be used as an adhesive for other materials like wood and metal.

First, apply the sealant to both sides of the crack, then smooth out any excess with a putty knife. Make sure you get all around the edges so there aren't any gaps where water could eventually seep through and damage your home again.

Maintain drainage areas.

• Maintain drainage areas
• Grass should be trimmed short to avoid clogging gutters, and trees and shrubs should be trimmed to ensure that water flows away from the house.
• Make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris.
• Keep downspouts clear of leaves and other debris so water can drain properly into the ground rather than pooling around your foundation or flowing toward your basement.
• Clean out rain barrels, which collect rainwater that then drains into soil rather than running off toward storm drains or sewers (and possibly flooding). 

Install a sump pump.

If your home is in a flood zone, you should consider installing a sump pump. Sump pumps are used to remove excess water from the lowest part of your basement or crawl space and safely discharge it away from the house. You can also find sump pumps that feature battery backup units (BBUs) and remote monitoring technologies—these will allow homeowners to check on their sump pump remotely in case there's ever a problem with it.

If you live near a body of water or have experienced flooding at some point, consider installing this essential piece of equipment today!

Know what to do before, during, and after a flood.

The best way to protect your home is to be prepared. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts, there are things that you can do before and after a flood to help protect your property. Flood insurance differs from homeowner's insurance in several ways, so it's important to know the difference. It's also helpful to know what actions you should take before, during and after a flood occurs so that you can prepare accordingly:

Before a flood happens:

• Make sure all your homeowners' contents are insured—this includes appliances, electronics, furniture and clothes. You may have additional coverage from certain policies or other types of insurance (such as renters or car insurance). 

We all want to protect our Amelia, TX homes, and there are many things you can do to do just that. As with any disaster, it's best to be prepared before it happens. But if you are still unsure about how best to prepare for a flood or other natural disaster, it's always good to know where your local emergency management office is located so that they can help answer any questions or concerns.