How to Prepare for Flooding – A Comprehensive Guide
As climate change takes hold, and rivers and sea levels rise, more and more homes are at risk of flooding. As one of the most commonplace and destructive of natural disasters flooding has the capability to cause extensive damage to both your home and the infrastructure around it.
Preparing in advance can help mitigate the impact flooding has and ensure your property and loved ones are protected as well as possible. Within this blog post we are going to take a look at what you should do to prepare for flooding, the steps you can take to prevent it and look at how a cost effective method such as sandbags can help with flood protection.
Things you Can Do to Prepare Before a Flood
Stay Informed: Make sure you keep an eye on the weather forecasts and flood alerts issued by local authorities. Make sure you are signed up to receive notifications and download weather apps to make sure you are aware of potential flood threats.
Create an Emergency Plan: Put together a comprehensive emergency plan which should include evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and a safe meeting point for all family members. Make sure everyone in the house knows the plan and has a list of contact numbers.
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Make up an emergency kit which should contain essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and cash. Make sure the kit is somewhere you can get to it easily.
Safeguard Important Documents: Store vital documents, such as passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and financial records, in a waterproof container. Consider making digital copies and storing them securely online.
Check Insurance Policies: Make sure flood damage cover is included in your home insurance policy. If you live in an area classified as high risk it may be worth purchasing additional flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.
Protect Your Home: Make sure you keep electrical appliances and utilities, such as HVAC systems, water heaters, and fuse boxes elevated above potential flood levels. If you are in an area that is susceptible to flooding maybe install sump pumps with battery backup systems to help keep your basement dry.
Keep Your Property Well Maintained: Make sure gutters, downspouts, and drains are kept clear of debris to allow water to flow away from your home.
How to Prevent Flood Water from Entering Your House
As probably our most valuable possession it is imperative we give our houses the best possible protection against flooding. So here are some of the things you can do to stop floodwater getting into your home.
Install Flood Barriers: You can install Flood barriers, such as door and window guards, that will help prevent water from entering your home. Typically made from metal, plastic, or composite materials they can be quickly deployed in the event of a flood warning.
Seal Cracks and Gaps: Do a thorough inspection of your home checking walls, doors and floors for any cracks or gaps that could see water getting in. Use sealants or waterproofing compounds to seal these areas effectively.
Check Valves: Check valves allow water to only flow in one direction which prevents reverse flow during flooding. They stop flood water from backing up into sinks, toilets, and other drains.
Can I Flood-Proof My House?
Flood-proofing your home involves implementing measures to reduce or eliminate flood damage. Here are a few flood-proofing strategies:
Elevation: Raising your home above the base flood level (BFL) is one of the most effective flood-proofing methods. This can be achieved by elevating the entire structure on stilts or piers.
Dry Flood-Proofing: This method involves sealing your home to prevent flood water from entering. It includes the installation of watertight walls, doors, and windows, as well as the application of waterproof coatings.
Wet Flood-Proofing: Wet flood-proofing lets water get into your home but minimises damage by making use of materials that can withstand water exposure, such as concrete, tile, and water-resistant insulation. This method also involves elevating utilities and installing flood vents to equalise water pressure.
How Does Flood Water Get into a House?
There are a number of different ways that Flood water gets into a house.
Doors and Windows: Floodwater can get into your house through gaps in the doors and windows, especially if they are not adequately sealed or if flood barriers are not in place.
Foundation Cracks: Cracks in the foundation can allow water to seep into basements and crawl spaces, leading to significant damage.
Sewer and Drain Backups: During a flood, the municipal sewer system can become overwhelmed, causing water to back up into homes through sinks, toilets, and floor drains.
Roof Leaks: Heavy rainfall can exploit weaknesses in the roof, leading to leaks and water damage inside the house.
Using Sandbags to Protect Your Home
Sandbags are a cost-effective and efficient way to protect your home from flooding. To use them effectively, place a row of sandbags tightly against each other, then add additional layers, staggering them like bricks for added stability. Focus on areas where water is likely to enter, such as doors, windows, and low-lying areas.
What are the Benefits of Using Sandbags:
Sandbags can provide you with a temporary barrier that will help divert flood water away from your property. They are relatively cheap to buy, are easy to use, and can be used in a number of different configurations to suit the particular needs of your property. When filled correctly and utilised properly, sandbags can help significantly reduce the amount of water that gets into your home.
Conclusion
Hopefully the information contained in this guide will help you if you are unfortunate enough to live in an area that is affected by flooding. At HBB Geosales we can provide you with competitively priced sandbags that will help give your home enhanced protection against the risks of flooding. To get more details contact our team today.