3 Ways to Protect Your Home Before a Flood

1/23/2023 (Permalink)

If you live in a flood-prone area, it's important to think about what could happen in the event of flooding and plan accordingly. This would include installing a sump pump, securing your home's foundation and doors, and sealing cracks that let water into your house. 

1. Seal Foundation Cracks

You’ll want to seal any cracks or holes in your foundation. Sealants or waterproof paints are best for this, but you can also use foam sealants and concrete crack fillers. You can also use caulking to seal gaps in your foundation, but be sure to use a waterproof type of caulk. If you don’t see any cracks or holes in your foundation, you may want to consider adding a vapor barrier on the exterior of the walls. A vapor barrier will help prevent moisture from getting into your basement and causing mold growth.

2. Maintain Drainage Areas

Maintaining drainage areas is a vital part of protecting your home from flooding. You should keep these areas free of leaves and other debris to ensure that water can quickly flow into the storm drain and away from your home. You should also clear out any snow or ice buildup in these areas during the winter months so that they can function properly when it rains again.

Keep sandbags on hand for when heavy rains begin to fall. Sandbags are an effective way to keep water out of doors and windows until it recedes enough so that they can be opened again safely without risk of further flooding (and more potential property damage). If sandbags aren't available, use whatever materials available at home like blankets or towels instead—you just want something thick enough so that water won't seep through easily!

3. Install a Sump Pump

Sump pumps are installed in a basement and can be used to drain water out of the basement. Sump pumps are connected to a drainage system that allows them to easily move water out of the house or away from it. They're powered by electricity, so you'll need to make sure that you've got a backup source of power (such as a generator) if your home loses power during a storm. 

The best way to protect yourself from damage from floods is to make sure you're prepared before the storm hits. These are just a few tips to keep in mind while you’re preparing your home and property for a possible flood. SERVPRO of Carthage/Joplin is here to help you get your Joplin home back to normal! We are available 24 hours a day and can help with any issues that arise during this time of emergency and recovery!