15 secrets to protect your home from a flood

Depending on where you are, floods are a threat to you and your property. Along with changing seasons and climate change, floods are an even bigger threat now. Even the flood zones are changing. Although your home was not in a flood zone last year, your home may be in a flood zone this year.

While you can’t keep the water from rising, you can help minimize water damage if you’re prepared. The following are fifteen secrets to protecting your home from a flood:

1. Understand the risk – When checking your home or property, you won’t be surprised when the flood hits. Check to see if your home is in the flood zone. Ask yourself the following question: Where can water reach our home? This applies to both what can be seen and what cannot be seen. Many times, it is the invisible damage, such as what is in your access space, that we do not think about.
2. To be prepared – Take the time to prepare as much as possible before the rise of the waters. Is your flood insurance current? Has flood winds and have you checked them to see if they work correctly? Many times, you can save a substantial amount of money on your flood insurance if you have vents in your foundation.
3. Understand the power of water – If the water is imminent and could move quickly, get out of your house now and go to high ground! When it comes to fast-moving water versus humans, water will always win. Get to high ground as quickly as possible.
4. Think about your pets – Pets are like your family. And just like your family, you must protect them too. Be sure to take your pet’s food, bedding, and medications to the new location. Put them in a pet hotel that you know will not be affected by the flood. Possibly leave them with family or friends who will be away from the flood area. If necessary, take them with you to high ground and away from flooding. Remember, do not allow your pets to walk or drink the water. There are many contaminants in water that can make your pet sick or possibly kill it.
5. Build your sandbags before you need them – If you have the resources to do it, sandbags are a great tool to contain the waters.
6. Backup your data – Make a backup of your computer data as soon as possible. You can use a variety of resources to back up your data to a free or low-cost backup service away from water damage. Services like Dropbox, Box, Microsoft Drive, Google Drive, and many other services allow you to never lose your data due to a flood.
7. Turn off your electricity and gas – Turn off all utilities to avoid possible explosions or electric shock or damage.
8. Move your valuables up or lift them off the floor – Simply lifting your valuables (this includes computer systems) off the ground can save you thousands of dollars in damage and distress. If you can get them to the second floor, that’s even better.
9. Charge your phone in advance – You do not know how long the flood will last and when the electricity will return. Make sure to charge your cell phone so you can still have an open line of communication.
10. Keep a radio and flashlight nearby – Your radio may be your only source of communication about what is happening during this challenging situation. Since the power can be cut off, a solar powered radio would be great. Also, have enough batteries for your flashlight (s).
11. Get out of the way of fast moving water – As much as you may be tempted, stay out of the fast-moving water. Many people have lost their lives while passing through whitewater.
12. Avoid contact with water – Do not travel through the flood during and after the flood with protective clothing. The water is contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and other wastes that can make you sick. Also, under the flood water there may be sharp objects that can hurt you.
13. Get professional help to dry out flooded areas – Don’t do it alone. Have the professionals dry the areas and access the damage.
14. Contact your insurance company immediately – Call your insurance company and give them the details of your situation as soon as possible so that it can be on their list to give you the help you need. Make sure you get your flood insurance discount to install your vents.
15. Take photos of the damage. – Be sure to take pictures of damaged items to help the insurance company quickly process your claim. As a bonus tip, take pictures of your item items before the water gets damaged. Why? So you can show the insurance company the condition of the items before the flood.

While you can prevent a flood from happening, you can minimize the damage done to your home and save you thousands of dollars in damage. Implement these fifteen techniques and you will better protect your home from flood water damage.