prevent flooding at your home

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sponsors Flood Safety Preparedness Week, which runs from March 13 to 19 in the New York area. NOAA instituted this special week to remind us that, “On average, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other weather related event.” Be specifically careful of Spring Thaw, where during the spring, frozen land prevents melting snow or rainfall from seeping into the ground. Each cubic foot of compacted snow contains gallons of water and once the snow melts, it can result in the overflow of streams, rivers, and lakes. Add spring storms to that and the result is often serious spring flooding.

Flood insurance is not included in typical home and business coverage, so this is a good time for every home and business owner to review their flood insurance options. Although you can’t prevent catastrophic weather events, here are 10 Tips to Prevent Flooding at Your Home or Business and help you minimize the damage that can result from floods:

  1. Fix leaky foundations: A foundation with cracks in it will allow flood waters to penetrate the walls of a building and establish long-term problematic mold
  2. Keep gutters clean: Rain gutters clogged with debris will allow water to get under your shingles and into your siding. Don’t forget about keeping storm drains free of debris as well
  3. Learn about flood zones: FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center lets you enter your address, see how vulnerable you are to floodwaters and evaluate your potential flood level
  4. Modify home wiring: Once you learn the potential flood level in your area, experts recommend raising electrical switches and circuit breakers at least a foot above that level
  5. Position outdoor fuel sources on high ground: External fuel tanks and generators that are below the water line can leak or break free in a flood, creating damage and environmental contamination
  6. Install backflow valves: When sewer systems flood, you can find sewage and flood waters backing up and overflowing from your toilet. To prevent this damage, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes advises installing gate valves on all pipes entering your building
  7. Consult your county planning department: If you notice that heavy rains tend to result in water pooling around your home or business rather than draining away, talk with county planners. It’s their job to help residents deal proactively with water flow
  8. Buy a battery-powered sump pump: Pumps are very effective at clearing water out of building basements before it reaches crisis levels, but they’re only as reliable as their source of power. Battery-operated pumps will function even if your electricity goes out
  9. Add a French drain to your landscaping: These simple rock-filled channels direct water away from a structure and let it flow out a safe distance away
  10. Invest in retaining walls: Retaining walls made from earth and masonry are a significant expense, but they are cheaper than rebuilding, and can be highly effective in redirecting floodwaters

To find the right flood coverage for your home or business needs, speak with a member of Lawley’s personal insurance team today. Don’t delay talking to us because of the waiting period involved in the binding process for flood insurance. Coverage takes force 30 days from the date we receive payment/signed application; the only exception is when it is required by a lender for a property closing.

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