How to Reduce Flood Damage

The images coming to television and computer screens of the recent Mississippi River flooding have been harrowing. Many people are feeling gratitude that they don’t live in flood plains and are therefore safe from such disasters. What they may not realize is that they are still at risk of smaller scale flooding. This may be caused by broken pipes or leaving the water running in the bathtub or kitchen sink. In some areas, heavy rainfalls can cause minor flooding in low lying areas or basements.

There are steps that homeowners can take to reduce the damage caused by these types of floods.

Keeping their sump pump in good working order is the first step to avoiding flash home floods during rain storms. The pump and pit should be kept clean and should be regularly tested. The hose outlet needs to be set several feet from the house and be on ground that slopes downward and away from the foundation.

In snowy climates where runoff can combine with melting snow to create flood conditions, it is important to shovel snow away from the house, keep the downspouts clear and pointed away from the house, and to prevent snow from building up in window wells.

If flooding is imminent, homeowners should move valuable items to higher parts of the house, such as upper floors, attics, or even high shelves. This includes important documents and memorabilia such as family photos. Pets should be blocked from areas likely to flood or removed from the premises entirely.

The problems associated with flood damage San Diego , Tennessee, or Michigan are the same and taking the above steps will help reduce potential damage.

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