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Prevent Home Flooding Both Inside and Out | SERVPRO® of Harlingen/San Benito
9/9/2022 (Permalink)
Flooding can happen anywhere, which means that anyone who owns property needs to be prepared. As little as an inch of water can create substantial damages.
If you live in an area that is not considered high risk for flooding you may not qualify for financial help from private insurers or federal funds. This makes preparation even more important to avoid costly repairs.
There are things you can do to prepare your home, starting with understanding your risks. Most of our area has seen flooding in the past, and carries many risks from rivers and heavy rains.
We also know that if sea levels rise, there are additional risks. These factors mean that we need to act now in order to be best prepared and protect our properties.
Floods can come from anywhere, even when completely unexpected. A heavy rain can leave gutters overwhelmed and yards soggy. When you take the time to prepare your home both inside and out, you can lower your risks and minimize your damages.
Clean your gutters regularly to remove debris that could block the flow of water. You could also consider adding an inexpensive extended downspout to ensure that water moves away from your home.
You can also use your landscaping to keep water from gathering and coming into your house. Adding a garden is a great way to increase absorption by pulling water down through soil into roots.
Organic materials such as mulch can also provide a great layer of protection when added near the house in a sloping pattern. This can protect your foundation by keeping water moving away and preventing puddles.
There are also some upgrades you could consider, including having electric moved up on the exterior of your home and anchoring fuel tanks. While these can be costly, adding an inexpensive rain barrel that catches water directly from a gutter can be effective at preventing ponding water and provides a free source of water for your plants.
Protecting your home from sources of external flooding means having a thoroughly sealed basement and well-shored up foundation.
A sump pump is also highly effective at removing water before it can cause damages. Since we have such a high risk of flooding and other storms in this part of Texas, a battery-operated pump might be the best idea to ensure water is removed from your home even if the power is out.
For protection from flooding that does not start outside, simple home maintenance can make a big difference.
Pipes that have aged and worn out can fail and cause substantial flooding. Take care of dripping faucets and make checking your plumbing a regular part of your weekly schedule to stop damage before it can start.
A leak sensor can also be a smart investment to catch water when it is somewhere that it shouldn’t be before it can become a major problem. There are home security systems that include this as an upgrade, so add it the next time you update your installation.
No matter where the water comes from, photographs, books and other paper goods will be damaged immediately. Keep irreplaceable items and important documents stored somewhere safe, and add SERVPRO to your emergency contact list. We are available 24⁄7 to start drying out your home fast.
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO today to get your restoration completed faster.