The Truth About Flood Prevention |
Posted: July 3, 2018 |
Anywhere Is Susceptible to a Flood
A flood can literally happen at any time, and it can happen anywhere. Floods are horrible natural disasters that have reeked havoc on thousands of homes in the United States. Floods are the most common natural disaster in America, and since that is the case, a savvy home owner does well to take preventative steps to keep a flood from completely destroying their most valuable asset. Even though it is impossible to know if your home will ever get hit by a flood, there are some steps that you can take in DIY home security in order to protect your home if a flood were to occur. Do Your Homework FEMA is a great resource when it comes to information on flooding. FEMA has divided the United States into separate zones in order for citizens to know which areas are at higher risk for a flood. Even though every zone could possibly have a flood, there are some zones that have a history of flooding. The yellow zone is a zone that has a flood risk that is not yet determined. If you investigate and find that the home that you are interested in purchasing is in the yellow zone, be sure that the home is built to withstand any possible flood or make needed adjustments to the home. The next zone that is the worst is the blue with red stripe zone. This is an area that is known as a flood way. Generally there are no homes in this zone, but it is possible that you have a home that is built near the blue with red stripe zone. If you have a home that is in that area, then you have to take extensive measures to keep your home safe in case of flooding. Raise Your Home Up Raise your home on stilts or piers if you realize that your home is not above the flood level. A good flood insurance agent can help you determine if your home is below flood level, and if that is the case, you want to raise your home. This can be a move that is expensive at first, but in the long run, it could save your home. Even a few inches of flooding can cause huge damage to a home. Raise Switches and Sockets It is wise to raise all circuit breakers, sockets, wiring, and switches above flood level if your home is below the flood level in order to avoid serious electrical damage. Apply Sealant Even though it is impossible to completely flood-proof a home, a great thing to do is apply coating and sealing. This can go around the home's the doorways, windows, walls and foundation. This can help to deter flood water from coming into the home through any holes, cracks, or spaces. Buy Flood Insurance Individuals may believe that their home owners insurance covers flooding, but that is not the case. If you are a savvy home owner, you realize the importance of having flood insurance. This is an insurance that will be able to compensate you if your home does suffer any damage from a flood. Don't Get Taken by Surprise There is no area in the world that is immune to a flood. Flash floods occur every day. A normal rainy day can turn into a disaster if your home is in the wrong place at the wrong time. You do well to take precautionary measures in order to keep your home safe. Apart from that, do your homework before purchasing a home so that you can prevent headaches in the future.
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