Are You Prepared For A Flood?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

You don’t have to live in a known flood zone to suffer sudden water damage in your home. Heavy rains, melting snow and inadequate drainage can also inundate a home with water. In fact, 25% of flood insurance claims occur in low-to-moderate risk areas.

What every homeowner should do is be prepared. Taking simple steps long before the water appears can make the difference between a quick recovery from a flood and a long, difficult aftermath.

Be Prepared

Find out the base flood elevation (BFE) for your property from the local authority that issues building permits. Use this figure as a guideline for preparing your home against high water.

Have an adequate amount of basic supplies on hand: plastic sheeting, sand and sandbags, plastic garbage bags, lumber, shovels and plywood. Prepare your own storm kit with this guide.

Install a backflow-prevention device in the main waste line of your plumbing system to prevent sewage and storm water from backing up into your home.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

Every spring, test your sump pump by filling the sump pit with water to ensure it switches on and operates properly.

Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

When you remodel or upgrade, consider raising your heating and cooling systems and main electrical panel to a level higher than the BFE.

Be Financially Prepared

Standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding, so shop for separate flood insurance. If your carrier doesn’t provide it, call the National Flood Insurance Program at (800) 427-4661. Premiums average $400 per year. There is typically a 30-day waiting period for coverage to take effect.

Take an inventory of your belongings and write down brand names and serial numbers. Making a video or taking digital photos will help with your documentation.

Consider keeping insurance policies, deeds and other crucial documents in a safe place outside your home, such as a safe deposit box.

For additional information, visit fema.gov and search on “flood.”

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194 any time.

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SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield publishes educational articles on how Manchester and Mansfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

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