Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the U.S. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, $2.7 billion in losses have been recorded between 2001 and 2010. Keep in mind that your standard homeowner policy doesn’t cover flooding. Usually you need to buy separate flood insurance but most homeowners who live in areas without a history of flooding will skip it. However, government data shows that 20% of flood claims come from places where flood risk is low.
I’m not trying to sell you insurance. But I would like to offer some advice on ways to insure your property against flood losses. If you have a basement or other below-grade living space, a sump pump is a wise investment. If you have one that runs on electrical power, make sure you have a battery backup pump in case power goes out in a storm.
A sump pump does no good if flooding occurs above-grade and there is nowhere to put the water extracted from your home. If you live in a high-risk area for flooding, you need to take added precautions. Here are some of the things to consider if you live in a flood-prone area:
- Contact us about installing a backflow prevention check valve to prevent sewer line back up.
- Elevate your electrical appliances – washer, dryer, water heater, furnace, etc. – on concrete blocks at least 12 inches above the floor.
- Store family keepsakes and important documents on an upper floor and not a basement. If you don’t have an upper floor, put them up high on shelves or atop elevated furnishings.
- If you are home when water starts to penetrate your living space, and there is no standing water by your electrical panel, shut off all electrical power to your home. Then, vacate the home if possible. If the surrounding streets are flooded, move to an upper floor.
- If flooding is likely, fill bathtubs and sinks with fresh water in case the water supply becomes contaminated.
- Never try to drive through a flood. Six inches of water can cause loss of control and possible stalling. If you’re in a car and water begins to rise quickly, abandon it and move to higher ground.
- Don’t walk through flooded areas. Strong currents can sweep you away even if the water is less than a foot deep. Also, there may be downed power lines under the water. If you see a downed power line, notify emergency authorities.
Not all flooding originates from Mother Nature. Severe property damage can also result from leaky plumbing or appliance problems, especially if you are away from home for a long time.
If this describes you, contact us about possibly installing an emergency water shut-off system. We can also install a flood-detection device that sounds an alarm or sends a phone message if it senses water – typically, in the basement.
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