One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to protect your home from unanticipated floods. Whether you seek out solutions in the moment or plan ahead, there are definitive steps you can take to retain your home’s market value and to keep your belongings safe.
If you’re looking to protect your home just before the weather takes a turn, you have plenty of options available to you. Talk to one of the contractors in your area, and you’ll quickly find the best anti-flooding measures for your home.
To make the most of the time you’ve got to prepare, consider:
Sump pumps are among the most effective anti-flooding measures you can invest in. These electric pumps can remove more than 2,000 gallons of water per hour from your home during a storm. That said, you will always want to try and purchase a battery backup to go along with your sump pump. These battery backups can do as much work as a standard pump, and they’ll protect your home if the power goes out.
You already have a few anti-flooding measures in place around your home. Before a big storm rolls in, it’s best to climb up on a ladder and make sure that your gutters are clear. If your gutters are clogged, you risk sending water straight from your roof down to your perimeter, where it can more readily put stress on your foundation. In a similar vein, you’ll want to make sure your downspouts are appropriately aligned.
If you’re interested in using modern technology to monitor the amount of water in your home, consider investing in smart water sensors. You can place these sensors throughout your basement and have them alert you when water enters your home. You’ll receive a ping through an applicable app if parts of your basement start to flood.
Not only are these sensors convenient while it’s storming, but you can take the data to contractors later down the line and have them recommend localized waterproofing measures based on your readings.
It’s often best to move your more precious belongings to higher ground just before a storm rolls in. If your home has a history of flooding, you’ll want any important documents or items up on your highest basement shelves.
Backflow drain valves are valuable additions to any interior drainage system. These valves protect your home if your sewer threatens to overflow. They’ll prevent any bacteria or raw sewage from entering your home while also keeping floodwater at bay.
If you want to get a jump on the bad weather in your area, you can. There are several long-term waterproofing tools that’ll help you protect your home. When you’re first trying to find a place to start, consider:
Flood vents may not seem like a conventional choice for a home anti-flooding measure, but they’re more effective than they may initially seem. A pair of flood vents can help take the pressure off your walls and foundation during the middle of a storm. With their help, you won’t have to worry about your structural supports collapsing. If you’re concerned about water getting into your home through the vents, consider pairing your vents with another waterproofing measure, like a sump pump or another interior drainage system.
As mentioned previously, it’s always a good idea to keep your more important belongings off the ground during a storm. This includes your utility systems. Consider installing new shelving units to elevate these systems so they don’t short out in the middle of bad weather.
These drains are basement-wide interior drainage systems designed to keep your home dry. These drains sit in your basement’s sub-floor and atop the foundation footing. The drainage channels are specially designed with a wall flange and perforations to intercept leaking water from the walls and floor and direct it to a sump pump system. Once the water is channeled to the sump pump, it can be pumped out of the basement and away from your home.
When you install interior or exterior drainage systems, you’ll want to keep their drains as clear as possible. That’s where an exterior drain curtain comes in handy. These curtains are often designed to resemble loose gravel and can be placed over your drain without obstructing it. With your curtain in place, you won’t have to worry about larger objects clogging up your drain.
If you do want to invest in anti-flooding measures before the weather starts to turn, be sure to talk to a representative with your insurance provider. Some providers are willing to lower your premium if you’ve taken steps to protect your home.
Want to learn more about your home anti-flooding options? You can reach out to one of the contractors practicing in your area like the expert team at JES to see which solutions may best suit your home. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate!
Groundworks Editorial Team
