FLOOD AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS TIPS
A flood can happen at any time, often with little or no alert. During the spring, issues such as heavy rains, rapid snow-melt and dam erosion can raise the risk of seasonal flooding, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As warmer weather approaches, now is the time of year to take practical steps that can reduce flood damage to your estate. Flood insurance is advised for property owners who reside in designated flood zones, but successful flood preparedness doesn’t stop there. Reducing the possible impact of flooding in advance can save time, money and even lives in the long run. When the waters start to rise, stay out of harm’s way by keeping important flood awareness and safety tips from the National Weather Service in mind. Then – before the next rainstorm strikes – use the flood preparation tips for property and construction projects below to help lessen the potential damage to your home or business in the future.
Flood Preparedness Tips for Your Estate
Use Flood Damage-Resilient Materials
Certain building materials can help reduce the amount of water damage your home or business suffers in the event of a flood. These special supplies can handle direct contact with floodwaters for up to 72 hours without incurring the kind of significant damage that will require major repairs. Here are the top flood-resistant materials to ponder before building or renovating certain areas of your property:
- Floors: Use concrete, pressure-treated wood, or clay and ceramic tiles.
- Walls & Ceilings: Use brick, metal, concrete and stone.
- Doors: Use hollow metal doors and cabinets as an alternative of solid wood.
- Surfaces: Use polyester epoxy paint for added shield.
Raise Electrical System Parts
Water and electricity don’t mix, which means floods can inflict havoc on your property’s electrical structure. You could face thousands of dollars in equipment repairs or even fall victim to a destructive fire sparked by live wires coming into direct contact with water. Elevating your electrical system components can go a long way toward guarding your property when water gets involved. Follow these tips to get started:
- Ideally, all electrical parts should be raised up approximately one foot above the 100-year flood level. Learn more about how this number is determined from the Geological Survey.
- Consult with a certified professional to find out how high you can move electrical meters, switches and outlets. Your local power company can also help you decide how high you can raise your power meter.
- Upgrade your fuse box to a more advanced circuit breaker system so it can handle high variations in power.
Utilize Sewer Backflow Valves
Every So Often floodwaters can cause sewage from your sewer lines to back up, pushing infected water back through drainage pipes and into your home or business. This damage is not only expensive, but also a serious health risk. Installing a back-flow valve can prevent overloaded drainpipes from pushing return flow into your estate. Configurations vary from simple flap-style valves to complex gate valves and those with both. Think About the following tips before choosing your new sewer back-flow valve:
- Look for complex valve designs that use both flap and gate styles for extra security.
- All valves should be installed on the main waste drainpipes exiting your building, or lines connected to equipment below the designated flood level.
- Only allow a qualified plumbing company to make modifications to your plumbing or sewer lines.
- Buildings with sump pumps use underground lines, which may be trickier to seal.
Anywhere you live or work, a flood could disturb you. Having the right preparations in place can help decrease damage to your estate during a flood and mitigate safety risks for your family or coworkers. Once the waters have receded, you can depend on the professionals at ServiceMaster DCS to help overturn any damage your property did endure. Our expert teams are available 24/7/365 to provide the help you need to get your property back to normal as soon as possible after a flood.
