How To Protect Your Belongings If Your Home Floods

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties is always looking for ways to help our community stay safe, and one of the best ways to ensure that your loved ones and your belongings are protected from disaster is to establish a mitigation strategy. (Mitigation means “The effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters and other hazards.”) For your strategy to be effective it needs to be established today, before the next disaster. Reports have determined that a homeowner will save up to $6 in damage expenses for ever $1 invested in protection - that’s a pretty good return! 

Flooding is one of the hazards that can occur here in our area, so today we wanted to share a few mitigation projects that you may want to complete before bad weather sets in and creates issues. 

• Keep your rain gutters and drains free of all debris to allow water to escape freely. 
• Stockpile emergency protective materials and equipment, such as shop vacs, materials to soak up standing water, sandbags, and items that can be used to block water.
• Elevate your water heater, electric panel, and all heating and cooling systems if there is a chance they may be affected by rising water levels. 
• Make your building watertight by using waterproof membranes and backflow valves, otherwise known as “dry flood-proofing.”
• Modify uninhabited areas of your home to let floodwaters enter and exit. This is known as “wet flood-proofing.” 

Don’t be caught unaware. Be aware of your own unique hazards and do what you can to protect yourself. Make a disaster plan with your family and loved ones, and make sure to assemble an emergency supply kit to have on hand. Talk about designated shelters and ensure that everyone knows the best locations and sources for emergency information should the worst happen. 

Here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties, we care about you, your family, and your property. If you sustain damages from water or fire, we are here to help. We maintain the equipment and skills necessary to get you back to normal after any kind of disaster, no matter the size. We handle mold and mildew, too!