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Property Protection From Flooding Both Inside and Out | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County
9/8/2022 (Permalink)
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County to get the restoration process started right away.
Protecting your home from flooding should be a priority on every homeowner’s list, regardless of location. Damage can happen from even just an inch of water, and any damage will always leave you with a large repair bill.
When you live in an area that is not considered at high risk for flood activity, you may not be eligible for help from insurance companies or federal funding. This makes taking care of your property and mitigating your risks even more essential.
While we may feel pretty landlocked in our part of New York, we have still seen a good deal of flooding over the years. Heavy storms in the summer can leave the streets impassable, and snow melt at the end of winter can turn things sloshy all over again.
It is essential to know not only the risks our entire region faces but to also understand your personal risks so you can put prevention into action.
There may be no storm clouds in sight when suddenly rain starts falling so fast and heavy that yards and gutters just can’t handle them. Preparation for flooding should always start on the outside in order to protect your assets on the inside.
Clear your gutters of debris often to ensure water is exiting at the correct points. Look into adding extended downspouts that fit directly onto your existing system as an inexpensive way to move water even further away from your home.
If you have room around the exterior of your home, use landscaping as another way to prevent water from entering your house. Gardens are great at pulling water down through soil and roots before it has a chance to puddle up.
Adding organic materials such as mulch close to your home can also force water away and provide extra absorption to protect the foundation of your property.
Even a few upgrades can make a big difference if you are able to invest in them, including having electrical outlets raised and fuel tanks securely anchored.
While these are fairly involved projects, a simple rain barrel that gathers water directly from your gutter system goes a long way in flood prevention. And as a little extra bonus, it gives you a free source of plant water!
Taking care of big ticket items on the inside of your house like ensuring your foundation is solid and sealing your basement are some of the best ways to ensure your home’s protection and will make a big difference when it comes to damage mitigation.
Sump pumps in the basement that kick water out before it can cause a real issue are also a great way to protect your home. If your home loses power often, a battery-operated pump might be a great choice for you.
In order to protect your home from non-natural flooding sources, there are some easy home maintenance steps you can take that will go a long way.
Pipes are one of the leading causes of water in the home. When plumbing is aged or worn, it can fail, so fix leaky faucets and add checking your toilets, sinks and showers to your regular weekly schedule to stop problems before they have the chance to begin.
You could also consider upgrading your home security to include a leak sensor. This device will alert you when water is somewhere that it shouldn’t be so you can correct it quickly.
Regardless of how it originates, water will damage photos and other paper items immediately. Keep irreplaceable goods stored on a high shelf or in a water proof container. And make sure you know where your emergency plans are as well, so you can call SERVPRO as soon as disaster strikes. We are available 24⁄7 to get your recovery started quickly.
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO today to get your restoration completed faster.