How to Keep Flood Damage to a Minimum

Your home is no match for flooding due to a heavy rainfall or a storm surge--there’s simply nothing you can do to stop it. To reverse the damage, you’ll need to contact some flood damage restoration pros to get things back to normal. You can, however, minimize the damage and keep it on the structural side. Your fixtures, appliances, and other things don’t have to take Mother Nature’s brunt. 

Here are some tips: 

Keep your sump pump in check – As soon as flood warnings are issued, check if your home’s sump pump is up to the challenge. Clean the sump pump and pit, then test it by pouring water into the pit. Make sure that the discharge hose delivers the water far enough away from the home into a well-drained area.

Shut off electricity to critical areas – Floodwaters reaching your home’s electrical outlets is the stuff of nightmares. Mitigate the risks of electric shock by shutting off the power in areas that’ll most likely be struck. Better yet, shut the power off in the entire house.

Move valuables to a higher place – This move is a no-brainer. Take everything you deem valuable: photo albums, appliances, critical documents like tax records, and all others and put them up a secure location away from the flood. Aside from the aforementioned items, include other critical appliances such as your furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer.