Fifteen secrets to protect your home from a flood

Depending on where you are, flooding is a threat to you and your property. Along with the changing seasons and climate change, flooding is an even greater threat now. Even the flood zones are changing. Although your home was not in a flood zone last year, your home may be in a flood zone this year.

While you can’t prevent water from rising, you can help minimize water damage if you’re prepared. The following are fifteen secrets to protect your home from a flood:

  1. understand the risk – When checking your home or property, you won’t be surprised when the flood hits. Check if your home is in the flood zone. Ask yourself the following question: Where can water reach our home? This applies as much to what can be seen as to what is unseen. A lot of times, it’s the invisible damage, like what’s in your crawl space, that we don’t think about.
  2. To be prepared – Take the time to prepare as much as possible before the rising waters. Is your flood insurance current? Have flood winds and have you checked them to see if they work correctly? Often times, you can save a substantial amount of money on your flood insurance if you have vents in your foundation.
  3. Understand the power of water – If water is imminent and could move quickly, get out of your house now and to high ground! When it comes to fast moving water versus humans, water will always win. Get to high ground as quickly as possible.
  4. think about your pets – Pets are like your family. And just like your family, you must also protect them. Be sure to bring your pet’s food, bedding, and medication to the new location. Put them in a pet hotel that you know won’t be affected by the flood. Possibly leave them with family or friends who will be far from the floodplain. If necessary, take them with you to high ground and away from the flood. Remember, do not allow your pets to walk or drink the water. There are many contaminants in the water that can make your pet sick or possibly kill it.
  5. Build your sandbags before you need them – If you have the resources to do so, sandbags are a great tool for holding back floodwaters.
  6. Backup of your data – Back up your computer data as soon as possible. You can use a variety of resources to back up your data to a free or low-cost backup service away from water damage. Services like Dropbox, Box, Microsoft Drive, Google Drive and many other services allow you to never lose your data due to a flood.
  7. Turn off your electricity and gas – Turn off all utilities to avoid possible explosion or electric shock or damage.
  8. Move your valuables upstairs or pick them up off the floor – Simply lifting your valuables (this includes computer systems) off the ground can save you thousands of dollars in damage and heartache. If you can get them to the second floor, that’s even better.
  9. Charge your phone in advance – You don’t know how long the flood will last and when the electricity will return. Be sure to charge your cell phone so you can still have an open line of communication.
  10. Keep a radio and flashlight nearby. – Your radio may be your only source of communication about what is happening during this challenging situation. Since the power may be out, a solar powered radio would be great. Also, have enough batteries for your flashlight(s).
  11. Move out of the way of fast moving water – As much as you may be tempted, stay out of the fast-moving water. Many people have lost their lives going through fast water.
  12. Avoid contact with water – Do not walk through the flood during and after the flood with protective clothing. The water is contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and other debris that can make you sick. Also, under the flood water there may be sharp objects that can hurt you.
  13. Get professional help to dry up flooded areas. – Don’t do it alone. Have professionals dry the areas and access the damage.
  14. Contact your insurance company immediately – Call your insurance company and give them the details of your situation as soon as possible so you can be on their list to get you the help you need. Be sure to get your flood insurance discount to install your vents.
  15. Take photos of the damage. – Be sure to take pictures of the damaged items to help the insurance company quickly process your claim. As a bonus tip, take pictures of your items items before they get water damaged. Why? So you can show the insurance company the condition of the items before the flood.

While you can prevent a flood from happening, you can minimize the damage done to your home and save you thousands of dollars in damage. Implement these fifteen techniques and you’ll better protect your home from flood water damage.

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