Steps To Reduce Flood Damage

If you live in a flood-prone area, I’m sure you don’t need reminding that you stand to lose a significant amount of possessions, some of which are invaluable, should floods come in. Which is why you should have flood insurance, and that’s a good thing. The truth however, is that your insurance cover may not be sufficient to cover the cost of replacing everything you lose. So you’re better off taking steps to minimize the havoc that floods may cause to your life. Some of those steps are pretty simple – basic, really – but they can go a long way.

Know your flood risks

In every State there are offices charged with the responsibility of providing information about floods and other emergencies. Call or visit the websites of your local emergency management office, building department or Floodplain Management Office for important information about flooding. The information from them will help you know what preparation to make in case of a flood.

Service your sump pump

Ensure that your sump-pump is always in a working condition, and if possible have a spare submersible portable sump-pump to help you minimize the amount of water that enters your house.

Transfer valuables to higher points

In a home, there are irreplaceable items such as personal video tapes, family photo albums, high school yearbooks and insurance policies. Move such items to higher points or make copies and store them in a non-flood prone area. Transfer every movable and portable item from the basement to higher floors.

Guard against sewer backup

When floods occur, plenty of water gets into the sanitary sewer, causing a water overload. The effects of the overload cause water to backflow into household lines. These cause sewer water to flow back to the house, causing damage to the house and property. This phenomenon, known as sewer backup, can be avoided by plugging or capping all sewer openings in the basement. Sewer openings include showers, toilets, sinks and floor drains, and they can be capped with wooden plugs, expandable plugs, screwed caps and other methods.

Prepare appliances to withstand water

Electric appliances such as the washer and dryer should be placed on an elevated level of at least one foot above the projected flood level to ensure the motors are above the water level. Shut them off at the breaker panel or fuse box. Or you could move them to a higher room if possible. If it’s not possible, then wrap them in a polythene paper and tie the polythene in place with a rope. This may not stop water from entering the appliances but most of the silt and sludge will be shut out, making it easier to clean up the appliances afterwards. Disconnect gas-fired clothes dryers and hot water heaters from the gas lines to avoid a fire hazard which may occur when flood water displaces and floats the appliances, thus breaking the gas line.

Disconnect electricity to places of the home that might flood

Flood waters may not reach electrical outlets but the risk of electrical shock to someone working in a flooded basement is high due to motors in appliances like dryer, washer, freezer, furnace and other appliances. To remove the risk, unscrew fuses or shut off electrical breakers, and when turning off electrical switches, avoid standing in water.

Move hazardous materials, secure fuel tank

Move hazardous materials like cleaning supplies, oil, paint and other dangerous materials to higher levels. Ensure fuel tanks are firmly anchored to the floor to prevent them from being floated by floodwaters. A floating fuel tank can tip over causing the fuel to catch fire or spill. Spilled oil is disastrous because it is extremely difficult and expensive to clean up a house that’s been flooded by water mixed with oil. Propane tanks should also be anchored in the same way, but remember to get prior written permission from the propane company, since they own the tanks.

While these tips are easy enough, the nature of emergencies is such that people get overwhelmed by everything happening that they may not remember to do them. You could save yourself a lot of grief by familiarizing yourself with them now, and be prepared if the time comes (hopefully it doesn’t!).