What are some ways to minimize the risk of flood damage to a home?
Flood damage can cause significant financial harm to a home, especially if the homeowner does not have flood insurance. Here are some tips to minimize the risk of flood damage to a home:
- Inspect the drainage system: Cleaning the gutters and checking for gaps or leaks directing water toward the house's foundation is important. Downspout extensions should divert water at least four feet from the foundation, and the soil within three feet of the house should slope away.
- Check the foundation and windows: Water can seep into a home through cracks, so inspecting it and filling any gaps with suitable preventive materials is essential. Consider sealing the outside of the foundation. Repairing large foundation cracks may require the help of a structural engineer or basement specialist.
- Prevent sewer backups: Install a backflow preventer in the main line to the sewer to help prevent sewage backups. In addition, a professional sewer line inspection and cleaning can unclog sewer lines and identify any blockages.
- Have a sump pump: A sump pump removes water collected in a basin on a below-ground-level home area, such as a basement or crawlspace. It can help prevent mold and mildew from growing, an expensive consequence of water and flood damage.
- Move valuables and appliances to the high ground: Keep high-value possessions above ground, such as on the upper level of a home, and put any appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, on wood or cement blocks to sit at least a foot off the ground.
- Turn off the electricity: Before evacuating a home, it is important to prevent electrical shock or fires.
It is also important to note that separate flood insurance, usually available through the federal government, is required to cover surface water flooding, which is not covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Give us a call at (678)266-3353 or email today (info@jainsuranceagency.com) for your no-obligation quote for Homeowners Insurance coverage.
