This season has bought a surprising amount of rain and snow to many areas of the country. Unfortunately, some of these areas weren’t able to deal with the influx of water, which has caused flooding in many areas. As Spring approaches, we may be dealing with even more storms that will leave us fighting back the water in order to keep our families safe and our property from being damaged. You may feel helpless when it comes to flooding, but there are many things you can do to help make the burden less. From protecting yourself before the flood waters hit to knowing how to ensure your home only gets minimal damage, these ten tips could save you a small fortune if flooding does occur in your region. So, don’t start stressing out yet, as there are a few frugal ways to keep your home and spending under control during this year’s floods.
1. Know Your Insurance
One of the main problems many people face during floods is not knowing what their insurance covers and what it doesn’t. Often, if you live in a region where flooding is common, you probably won’t have this on your policy because insurance companies don’t want to pay out for something that is likely to happen. Make sure you go over your policy and add flooding to it if at all possible. If not, you may want to look around for flooding insurance, at least to have during the wet seasons. This protection can also help with flooding accidents around the home too, so it may come in handy at some point or another. Many insurance companies will even add in an Act of God clause which could prevent you from getting the insurance you need in areas that never flood. Don’t let them fool you into signing up for something that isn’t going to do you any good. If you have to, work with a professional to mediate as you negotiate your insurance and always have someone explain things to you so you’ll be ready.
2. Clear the Gutters
No one really wants to clear the gutters, but when it comes to flooding this is your first line of defense. If you get word that there is going to be a storm in your area, especially if it may last more than a few hours, you should take some time to check out the gutters before it actually hits. If your gutters are full then this is going to cause all of the water to pour off of them and into your yard which could damage your foundation and flood the basement of your home. Even if you don’t have a basement to worry about, leaking gutters can cause water damage on your walls, which may cost a small fortune to fix. Another issue with blocked gutters is they allow snow to build up on your roof. As it melts, it won’t have anywhere to go, which means it will gather on the roof causing damage there or it can have the same effect as the leaking gutters during a rain storm. So, don’t hesitate, this could be the best way to save money on flooding damage.
3. Invest in a Sump Pump
Sometimes there’s nothing we can do to prevent water from getting into the basement. If the flooding is too extreme in the area then you may want to take all of the precautions you can, but also have a backup plan. This usually consists of a sump pump. These items can be rented, but if you feel like there’s no way you can rent one in your area then you won’t be too disappointed in the price. A sump pump will work hard to get the water that comes into your home out of the home. Of course, when it comes to this item, you should be careful what type of sump pump you buy. Electric pumps can be unreliable in a flood, so you might look for one that runs on more than one energy source or simply one that runs on gas. You’ll be happy you had this item in your storage, even if you don’t use it for a flood as it can help deal with flooding from burst pipes or broken water heaters too.
4. Install Gate Valves
One of the main issues with flooding is it can often cause problems with the sewer system. If you’re sticking it out at home, or you simply don’t want a lot of damage to clean up then this can cause you a lot of major problems. Sewers can back up right into your home, which isn’t just smelly but can cause damage on your floors that can take a whole lot of money to clean up. So, instead of worrying about this to happen you might want to install gate valves. These are pretty cheap to get and easy to install, which makes them a great investment even if you’re not worried about flooding. Of course, you can get a professional to install them too if you’re worried you won’t do it right.
5. Elevate Your Items
Your home isn’t the only thing you should be afraid of getting damaged during the floods. If you need to evacuate your home and you have appliances or expensive furniture, then you might want to take precautions before you leave. Simply elevate any electronics to a higher floor if you can. Items like washers and dryers can be elevated with cinder blocks to help them from being damaged if the flood waters do come in. You should make sure to turn off your electricity before you leave the home though and unplug the items to serve as an extra precaution. Furniture, rugs and other items should be moved to higher grounds too and placed in plastic if you have the ability to do so. If your furniture is too heavy to lift higher use cinder blocks to help prevent as much damage as possible. With any luck, water won’t rise too high in your home, if at all.
6. Switch off Utilities
Living without electric and water can be a huge burden, but if your area is flooding then it may be wise to cut off your utilities in order to remain as safe as possible. Sometimes, leaving the electric and water on can cause more damage than anything else. Electricity can be hazardous if left on and may even lead to a fire if you’re not careful. When things begin to get a little too much, find your breaker and shut off the power from there. You may also want to consider doing the same with gas and water. This can usually be done with a simple phone call. Keeping the gas running can lead to leaks in the house, which can cause even more harm to you than the flood water. You may also want to avoid your water too so it doesn’t become contaminated with flood water. If you do keep it on make sure to boil it before cooking or drinking it, just in case.
7. Ask For Assistance
A lot of people believe that they are all alone if they have to deal with flood damage, which isn’t exactly true. There’s a whole lot of federal programs that can help you get on your feet if you are suffering from too much damage from a flood. Programs like FEMA are designed to provide grants and help people get back on their feet when such a disaster occurs; however, you shouldn’t fully rely on these programs to help you out completely. Some may only be able to help you get off your feet in a new place, rather than repair your home. Of course, applying to many different forms of assistance won’t hurt either. You can look further assistance programs for flooding though. For instance, the Salvation Army is great with helping families in need get clothes, food and other necessities they need to survive.
8. Protect Your Car
Your car is another important item you will need to protect when the floods arrive. This can be easier said than done, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent major damage. First of all, you may want to consider parking it away from the home in a parking garage or with a family member who lives in an elevated area. If this isn’t an option then bring it into a garage if you can. Before you drive the car into the garage, place a car cover down and driver over it. Then place another car cover over the car. This will help prevent any water from getting inside the car and causing damage. You can also consider parking on a raft to help prevent water from getting into the engine. If the floods aren’t too bad and you can still drive, you should consider avoiding any roads that may be deeper than expected. This can cause you to end up stranded in your car, which could be a danger to you.
9. Create Emergency Stock
If you decide to stay put during a storm, especially when the streets are flooding, it is important that you have an emergency stock before it is too dangerous to get outside. This should include several gallons of water to keep your family hydrated and to allow you to cook. Often, the water supply becomes contaminated in a flood, so having clean water on hand is not optional. You might also want to have a water filter to help protect your family from contaminated water. You will also want to have plenty of food on hand. Some perishables will last you for a little while, but you should also have canned goods and long lasting foods to help keep your family full when there is no way to go out for food. A first aid kit, flash light, blankets, rafts and flares are also mandatory items that should be in every home when there is an emergency such as a flood.
10. Have a Plan
Finally, if you choose to stick out a flood or other storm you need to have a game plan. This will help protect your family from harm’s way if the going gets rough. You will want to have an escape route for every room of the home in case of a fire or if a wall gives way. Your family should practice this often, especially during the storm. You should also talk about what to do if food runs low or if there is an emergency that needs outside help. Try to get with neighbors too, so you can work together if a problem arises. Another thing to consider is your pets during this time as they will completely rely on you to keep them safe. With a lot of planning, you may find yourself feeling a little better about the situation.
Flooding can be a frightening experience especially if you’re trying to keep your family safe, sound and dry. These ten tips should help you find the best possible ways to prep for a flood, just in case you have to combat the waters this season. Luckily, these tips will help you save money and won’t force you to spend much to be ready to take on the storms.
