3 Tips for Preventing Flood Damage

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

Your sump pump can be your biggest ally when flooding occurs

Flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in the United States. Even if your home in Highland Heights, OH, is covered by FEMA NFIP, you need to be prepared.

Here Are Three Ways To Prevent Flooding Damage

1. Take care of your sump pump. Your sump pump can be your biggest ally when flooding occurs, so it's important to keep it in good working order by performing regular maintenance:

• Your pump may vibrate during use, so confirm that it's upright and hasn't tipped over or started leaning.
  
• Clean both the sump pump and the pit regularly.
  
• Test that the pump is working properly by dumping water into the pit. The pump should start up on its own and drain the water promptly.
  
• Check that the discharge hose is carrying water sufficiently far away from the house.
  
• Make sure the ground fault circuit interrupter is plugged in and that the cord is dry and in good shape.
  
• Rid the check valve of debris. (Be sure to disconnect it first.)
  
  

If you live in a rural area, whether it's at high risk according to FEMA NFIP or not, you should also make sure that the pump isn't delivering water to your septic field. If it is, it could flood the drainage field.

2. Keep your most valuable items off the ground. Photo albums, home movies, yearbooks, personal records, and other important items should be stored on high shelves. Better still, make digital copies or hard copies of anything you'd have trouble replacing.

3. Avoid sewer backup. When flooding occurs, that water can overburden the sewer system, causing it to flow into your basement via your home's water line. Capping your basement's sewer openings — thinks toilets, showers, sinks, and floor drains — can stop this from happening.

If you're familiar with FEMA NFIP and know your home's flood risk, a few preventative measures can go a long way toward lessening flood damage to your home. For those messes that you can't avoid or that require a little extra manpower and expertise, it may be wise to enlist the help of water damage repair specialists.