Flood Proof Your House in 5 Easy Steps

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Apply waterproof sealant in your home

Tips To Flood Proof Your Home

Flooding is a big enough problem on its own. The fact that it can often cause further consequential issues makes it even more serious. When it comes to flood safety, prevention is your biggest ally. Follow these easy safety tips to help flood proof your home in Harrisonville, MO.

1. Keep important documents and possessions on elevated surfaces: Floodwater starts low before rising, so the best way to keep your stuff dry is to store it as high as you can. Move important possessions to high shelves on the top floor of your house, just to be safe.

2. Move in-home electrical systems above flood level: The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety recommends that all electrical equipment, such as switches, circuit breakers and wiring, sit at least a foot above your home's flood level. Staying away from electrified water is a basic flood safety principle.

3. Upgrade your water valves: A sewage flood is a biohazard, and therefore significantly more dangerous than an average flood. To prevent sewage backflow from entering your home, you should install either an interior/exterior backflow valve or a gate valve.

4. Control the flow of water around your house: Ideally, your house should sit higher than the surrounding landscape so water can flow away from the property. This isn't always the case, so take care to monitor the direction the water flows in after a storm. If it's directed towards your house, you should contact your local environmental services department.

5. Apply waterproof sealant: A sealant can be applied to both the interior and exterior of your home. This can help keep rainwater out as well as flooding.
While these flood safety tips can certainly lower your home's risk of flooding, they can't prevent a disaster entirely. It's vital that you contact storm remediation experts if you do become the victim of a flood.