Nobody expects to find 10 inches of water in the living room. Did you know that floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States? Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone, and the best thing you can do to protect your family and home is to be prepared. Read on to discover some things you can do before this natural disaster strikes.
map ahead
-Buy flood insurance: Believe it or not, regular home insurance doesn’t cover water damage. This is why it is highly recommended that business owners and homeowners purchase flood insurance. Just remember it takes 30 days after your purchase for your flood insurance protection to be valid.
-Build your house in the right place: Avoid building your house and business on low-lying land next to a river. These areas extend from the banks of the river to the walls of the enclosed valley walls. Even when these areas remain dry for many years, when it rains heavily, your home can be in great danger.
-Take care of appliances: You should elevate your HVAC and electrical systems, including wiring, at least one foot. Doing this will help prevent short circuits and possible fires. Also, keep in mind that any electrical component that becomes flooded, even for a short period of time, should be replaced.
-Build a barrier: to prevent water from entering your home, you can also build a barrier. You can build a dam with compacted earth or masonry. Masonry is a structure made of individual components that are joined together. In addition to protecting your home, the biggest advantage of these types of barriers is that they will not change the appearance of your house.
-Seal your house: Install water guards over windows, doors and any other openings. Also, cover the walls with waterproof sealant. Remember to seal all the low areas of your house.
during a storm
-Be alert: watch or listen to the news. Get constantly updated information, in case you need to leave your home.
-Move to a safe place: you do not need to wait for instructions to move to higher ground. However, if you decide to stay home and at some point authorities determine an evacuation is necessary, you must go! If you have time, bring outdoor furniture indoors before you leave and move important things upstairs. And don’t forget to lock your house!
-Be careful: know which areas fill with water the fastest and try not to drive or walk near them. Also, avoid all contact with flood water. It is dangerous because it contains chemical waste or sewage. If you come into contact with it for any reason, wash it off immediately with soap and clean water.
Following these recommendations will help you be prepared in the event of a flood. Remember to always be safe!
