How to Protect Your Home from Flooding And Water Damage

You have heard time without count that prevention is better than cure. Flooding is not one of the coolest things you would wish to experience in your home, and I guess if you had a way of preventing it or minimizing it, then that’s something you are most likely to consider. 

Well, the good news is that there are a couple of steps you can take to protect your home from flooding. As such, in the event of a flood, you won’t have a lot to worry about, or there will be very minimal damages to your home and property. Read below to discover some of the ways you can use to prevent your home from flooding.

Begin by Evaluating the Risks of Flooding in Your Home

The first step in protecting your home from flooding is to understand the likelihood of your home getting flooded. There are meteorological map services that show general flood risks in Montreal.
 
With most of the services, all you have to do is enter your address in the search bar and you will see your area’s flood zone, including the risks of your home getting flooded. A good tool to use for this endeavor is floodmap.net.

But there is more than just getting to know whether or not you are in a high-risk area for flooding. After you have determined your floor risks, you need to get in touch with your insurance company to help you determine the specific flood level of your home. 

This simply refers to the level at which the flood waters could rise in the event of a flooding event based on your actual location. Ideally, your home needs to be above this level to ensure that you are never affected by flood waters. If your home is already below this level, then it is prone to flooding, then you should consider some of the preventive measures discussed below.

Prepare Your House to Resist Flooding

After assessing your home’s overall risks of flooding, the next step is to thoroughly floodproof your home. There is a lot that flood-proofing your home may entail – it could include expensive home renovations or basic maintenance practices to keep the flood waters away from your home. 

The steps you settle upon will majorly depend on the risk level of your home, and how the home was constructed to withstand floods. Here is a brief look at some of the flood-proving measures you may consider for your home-:

Install Foundation Vents or a Sump Pump

Foundation vents will allow water to floor through your home instead of forming a pool. It not only provides an outlet for the flood waters but also relieves the potential pressure that your walls and windows may experience as a result of the flooding. 

A sump pump, on the other hand, is very popular for pumping water from basements. You may also consider installing one in your home, preferably one with a battery backup in case there is a power outage during the floods.

Raise Your Electrical Outlets and Switches

All the sockets, switches, outlets, and circuit breakers in your home should be raised to a height of at least one foot from the already determined flood level. At such a height, they will be relatively safe and will minimize the electrical damage that may be experienced in case of a flooding event.

Point the Downspouts Away From the Home

If you have not pointed your gutter runoff away from your house, then you are increasing the likelihood of it pooling and eventually creating leaks into your basement. Therefore, ensure they are pointed away from your home to prevent this from happening.

Install Check Valves in All Your Pipes

Every pipe heading to your home should have a check valve. This is vital in preventing flooded sewage systems from getting back to the home. Ideally, you should use a gate valve instead of flap valves for this because they come with a better seal for managing flood pressures.

Grade Your Lawn Away From Your Home

Poor lawn grading may sometimes be responsible for flooding in your home. If you grade your lawn such that it tilts towards your house, it is likely to direct lots of rainwater towards your home. If there is an excessive downpour, there are very good chances that your home may get flooded. Therefore, while grading your lawn, be sure to grade it away from your house.

Apply Sealants and Coatings

Think about applying sealants and coatings to your walls, windows, and foundations. This is helpful in preventing the flood waters from leaking into the house through cracks that might be present in such places.

In addition to considering the renovations above, you also need to protect the appliances inside and outside your home by raising them above the flood level. Some of the home appliances you should consider elevating include generators, water heaters, air conditioners, dryers, and washing machines. You can do this inexpensively by simply placing them on top of a concrete block above your home’s flood level.

Take Proactive Actions When Flooding Starts

If a storm is on the way or flooding has just begun, there are certain proactive steps worth considering that will help you minimize flooding as well as the overall water damage to your property. Some of them include the following-:

• Shut off the water line if it is the main source of flooding
• Clear your gutters and drains to allow for the free flow of water
• If the flood level is almost reaching your electrical system, turn off the electricity from the breaker panel.
• Turn on the sump pump if you already have it installed in your home
• Move furniture, electronics, rugs, and other valuables to higher elevations to save them from getting flooded.
• Videotape or photograph the flooding to be used as evidence when filing for a claim with your insurance company.

The above measures should go a long way in helping you save your home from flooding. In case you experience flooding in your home, and you need help with the cleaning and restoration, don’t hesitate to call us for the best flood cleaning services in Montreal.