Dealing with basement floods is a complex matter that requires the full attention of any responsible homeowner. On the one hand, there are many instances in which it’s completely preventable. Still, this requires proper scheduling of maintenance sessions, which is something that a lot of people ignore. If the disaster cannot be avoided, a proper (rapid) first response can mitigate the damage by quite a bit. So, it’s important to know how to act in these situations, as well. Overall, here are several tips and tricks to help you deal with basement flooding.
1. Keep your guttering system functional
The simplest way to avoid having a flooded basement is to find a way to keep the flow going in the preferred direction. In other words, the water should go down your roof straight into your gutters. From there, it should follow the path down the downspout all the way towards the drain. Provided that your gutters are functional and clean, as well as your downspout, everything should go according to plan. In order to ensure this, inspect your guttering system twice every year and clear your gutters on a regular basis. Roof flashing can also be of assistance here, as well as keep the moisture away from the rest of your home.
2. Landscape your yard
Previously, we’ve talked about the maintenance of your guttering system. The simplest way to make this easier is to do some landscaping around the place. All you have to do is prune some trees and shrubbery surrounding it so that you don’t have to worry about debris piling up in your gutters. Sure, bird nests and rubble of other kinds may accumulate, all the same, however, the frequency of gutter cleaning sessions will be greatly reduced and the functionality of the system maintained. Other than this, adequate landscaping can help boost the resale value of your entire property.
3. Pay attention to the plumbing
One more thing you should understand is the fact that not all floods happen from outside your home. A burst or leaking pipe can be just as dangerous. This is why you need to pay special attention to the plumbing of your home, especially your basement. According to blocked drains Canberra experts, the most important thing you need to know is the location of your main water valve. Shutting it off gives you time to call a professional or inspect the damage. Also, it limits the amount of water in the basement quite drastically.
4. Think about flood insurance
Sometimes, accidents happen and there’s really not much that you can do about this. The best course of action in this particular situation is to think about the worst-case scenario and see what can be salvaged from here. What we’re talking about is the flood insurance. There are some scenarios in which your insurance can be denied due to the fact that you haven’t taken all the necessary steps to prevent the flood. We’re talking about additional coverage and covers that are mandated by the policy. So, what you need to do is study this policy as well as you possibly can in order to ensure that you are safe.
In conclusion
As you can see, there are three things to do in these moments of crisis (or any crisis, whatsoever). First, you need to think about maintenance and prevention. Second, you need to find the most adequate response to the ongoing crisis. Finally, you need to think about damage control. This way, your home will be well-protected at all times and the damage will either be non-existent or minimal. Either way, this situation is far better than the alternative.
Author bio:
Ayla Anderson is an avid reader and an enthusiastic blogger who writes articles on home improvement, business, Family and beauty. She is also an MBA student who spends much of her time giving advice to newly small businesses on how to grow their businesses. You can follow me on Twitter
