Even if you think your home isn’t at risk, taking all the necessary precautions to protect your home from flooding is vital during hurricane season. There is an important fact that many homeowners do not realize: flood damage is not covered by most insurance providers. So it is essential to protect your home from flooding to avoid paying thousands in potential repairs. Here are some tips for preventing flooding in your home.
Ensure That At-Risk Areas Are Sealed
Next time it rains, observe where the water flows. A sealant should be applied if much of the water flows through or settles at a particular part of your home. Especially in older homes, sealants are great for filling cracks in the foundation that you might not have noticed.
Invest in Foundation Vents
The effectiveness of foundation sealants and coatings is limited. So an investment in foundation vents may be a good idea if you frequently see too much water around your home during rainstorms. The purpose of foundation vents is to keep water from pooling around your home. They are a form of “wet flood-proofing.” Water goes through the vents instead of pooling around your home. As a result, excess water can be safely discharged, relieving pressure on your basement walls, windows, and doors.
Maintain Gutters
Water can accumulate quickly on and around your home during a storm. Maintaining your gutters properly is one of the most important parts of your home’s drainage system.
Make sure your gutters are clean to reduce flood risks. As a rule of thumb, experts recommend that you clean them every three months. You should address gutter clogging immediately if you notice your gutters overflowing during light rainfall, as even a small number of leaves or debris can cause an obstruction. Here are some great TIPS for cleaning gutters.
Water and Sewer Pipe Modifications
During a heavy rainstorm, excess rainwater can flood sewer systems, causing sewage to leak into your home. The only thing worse than a house flood is a home flooded with sewer water. To prevent this, all pipes entering your home should be fitted with interior or exterior backflow valves. The valves seal your pipes well, and they can open and close automatically to permit water to pass and prevent it from getting back into the system.
Smart Home Solutions for Proactive Monitoring With Water Leak Sensors
Even though the tips above should provide a great defense against most storms, you never know when a storm can pack a powerful punch and cause water to overwhelm your precautions. In these situations, modern technology can mitigate the effects. When flooding occurs, it is essential to detect it quickly so that prompt action can be taken.
Keeping your home safe is made easier with smart home security systems. If your system has water leak sensors, you will receive an immediate alert if water enters your home. These sophisticated sensors provide a two-fold source of protection. The water leak sensors will notify you if it detects dripping. Likewise, if water accumulates in the cavity located at the top of the sensor, you will get a notification that water has been found where it doesn’t belong. When you receive these notifications, you can cut off power to the affected area of your home. You can then move all valuable belongings in that area to a safe drier space in your home and take other actions to reduce the possible damaging effects of flooding.
Optimal Options
As a coastal business, Johns Brothers Security understands the needs and concerns of its customers when it comes to flooding. Smart technology helps us provide comfort to you and your family by customizing each security system to your specific requirements. Schedule a FREE home security audit before the next storm strikes by calling a representative today at 1-800-242-9760!