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Preparing for a flood can help you prevent thousands of dollars of repairs down the line. You can protect your home a few days before the floodwaters rise or well in advance; either way, you’ll have a better chance of retaining your home’s value. Why not explore the steps that could save you time, stress, and money?

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Best Practices for Flood-Proofing Your Home

If you’re looking to protect your home against a flood with only a day or two to spare, never fear. You have several quick and effective options available to you, including:

1.  Investing in A Sump Pump

If you want to bring a trustworthy, anti-flood measure into your home, you’ll want to talk with a professional about sump pump installation. Sump pumps actively remove water from your basement and can pump out up to 2,000 gallons of water per hour. The cost of installation will vary based on the brand you’re interested in investing in. All sump pumps, however, will keep water out of and away from your home.

It’s always worthwhile to invest in a battery backup sump pump as well as a traditional pump. Your battery backup will continue working even if the power goes out. These pumps are just as strong as traditional pumps, making them a cost-effective addition to your existing anti-flood strategy.

2.  Inspecting Your Gutters and Drainpipes

Before a storm rolls in, you’ll want to make sure that your gutters are clear and that your downspouts are appropriately aligned. Your gutters, when clear, keep water away from the perimeter of your home. As such, they protect your foundation from excessive hydrostatic pressure. Downspouts help direct water from the gutters away from your home. Make sure they are not pointing near a foundation wall.

3. Using Smart Water Sensors

Interested in using technology to your advantage? Place smart water sensors in the lowest parts of your basement. These sensors will ping an app on your phone if water starts to fill your basement. You’ll be able to respond to flooding quickly and safely. You can also share the data you gather with Indianapolis, IN, contractors after the storm has passed so that you can better shop for localized waterproofing measures.

4. Finding the High Ground

Sometimes, simple solutions are among the best you have at your disposal. If you have belongings, paperwork, or other precious items you want to protect from water damage, consider storing them in your basement’s highest points. In doing so, you’ll keep most flood runoff from reaching them.

5. Considering Backflow Drain Valves

You’ll also want to talk to a local professional about installing backflow drain valves. These valves attached to the drains throughout your home and protect you if your sewer or other utilities overflow. Not only do backflow drains keep water out of your home, but they’ll prevent an influx of sewage as well.

Preventing Flood Damage

While you will have the opportunity to act in the days preceding a significant flood, you won’t always be able to predict when the weather will turn. With this in mind, you can invest in anti-flood measures long before the risk of a flood arises. Some of the best steps to take when protecting your home include:

1. Installing a Flood Vent

Flood vents open your home to floodwaters and yet are still some of the best anti-flooding measures available. Why? Consider this: If water pressure builds up around your home without anywhere to go, it can readily break down your walls and other support structures. Comparatively, if you give that water somewhere to go, courtesy of your flood vents, you’ll exchange minor water damage for a structurally sound home.

2. Keeping Your Utilities Off the Ground

As previously mentioned, it’s never a bad idea to keep your more important belongings off the ground. Consider installing additional shelving units throughout your basement to elevate your utilities and other important appliances.

3. Installing Interior Drainage

When paired with a sump pump, interior drainage helps provide comprehensive anti-flood measures for any home. Interior drains sit just below your basement floor and atop the footing. They are specially designed with a wall flange and perforations to accept seeping water from the walls and floor. Once this water is collected, is then directed to drain into the sump pump system so it can be pumped out of and away from your home.

4. Curtaining Your Exterior Drain

When you’re facing down a flood, your drains are your best friends. You do not want a drain to end up clogged prior to a storm. As such, you may want to consider installing exterior drain curtains. These curtains, designed to look and work like loose gravel, will protect your drains from blockage while allowing water to flow freely out of your home. They also add an aesthetic appeal to other anti-flooding measures as they disguise your drains.

When you protect your home from flooding before the weather gets bad, you’ll benefit in more ways than one. Talk to your insurance provider about your anti-flood measures, and you may find your premiums reduced for your efforts.

Want to investigate the ways you can protect your home from floodwaters? Reach out to an Indianapolis, IN, professional today to start weighing your options. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate.

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