Home floods are both devastating and destructive. They can hit out of nowhere, even in low-risk areas where you may have never considered a flood possible. Instead of being caught off-guard and potentially losing precious valuables and money, you can protect your home from a flood today by following a few simple steps.
You can't always predict when a flood will come or how much damage your home will sustain, but you can learn how to prepare your home for flood season.
Protect Your Home From a Flood
The speed and duration of a flood vary by what type it is. A slow-onset flood from days of rain can take a full week to develop and go on for months, according to FEMA. On the other hand, a flash flood can occur quickly without warning. These floods don't just happen in rural areas. Parking structures and underpasses in urban centers can quickly fill with water.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your home from water damage:
- Elevate your entire house if you live in an area with repeated floods
- Ensure your flood insurance covers everything you need it to
- Waterproof your basement
- Check your sump pump regularly and make sure you have a backup
- Install a water alarm in your basement or first floor
- Clear debris from your gutters and downspouts in the fall and spring
- Move your furniture, valuables and important documents to a safe place
When you're building a home, consider some foundational steps that will prevent future floods. For example, you can slope the soil away from your home's foundation and fill in soil under your deck and porch. You can install downspout extensions that will carry water away from your foundation. An easy way to prevent floods and save money is to empty your downspouts into a rain barrel. You can use that water for your shrubs, flowers and vegetables.
If you know that a flood is coming but you have time to prepare, try to reduce the damage by moving your critical utilities. You can also store supplies somewhere you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate.
Water Removal in Chicago
Water damage can still occur even if you know how to prepare your home for a flood. It's vital that you contact a professional to clean up your house. Trying to remove the water yourself doesn't always lead to restoration. You can still have damage from mold, mildew and more that's not only a safety hazard but can also lead to health problems.
You can trust ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park for your flood restoration services in Chicago. We're professionals who go through a rigorous cleanup process to restore your home back to what it was before the flood. We also offer around-the-clock service so you never have to wait to contact us in case of an emergency.
Don't let a flood keep you from living a happy and healthy life. Contact ServiceMaster today to learn more about flood restoration services.
