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Addressing the Flooding Risk for Your Property | SERVPRO® of Hershey/Swatara
9/12/2022 (Permalink)
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of Hershey/Swatara to get the restoration process started right away.
No matter what your risk of flooding is, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Water can cause extensive damage, even when it is a seemingly small amount.
In addition to the extensive damages, floods can be tricky to recover from as not all homeowners insurance policies cover flooding. Thinking about having to foot the bill for the entire restoration should have you taking preventive measures today!
The highest risk of flooding occurs along any of our waterways, like Brandywine Creek. We are also always at risk of springtime flooding when the snow melts, as that water can raise water levels and also soak down through the earth and into our basements.
All it takes is one ill-timed thunderstorm with heavy rain to leave you with a large water mess. Take some simple steps to prepare your home outside, like clearing your gutters and ensuring your downspouts are connected. These are great ways to keep water flowing away from your home.
You can also make your garden work for you! In addition to providing fresh vegetables or pretty flowers, a garden can help soak up excess water and prevent pooling in your yard. Just make sure to angle your garden plot away from your home so the water will flow down to your garden.
Also consider adding a rain barrel to your property! Rain barrels can keep the water flowing from your gutters in one localized area, which allows you to dictate exactly where it will go.
Flood issues often originate in the basement, so taking the time to care for your foundation is a great place to start. Seal up any cracking you notice and address any dampness you discover right away.
Having a sump pump is another option to help you keep water away from your basement. If you live in a particularly high risk area, look into investing into a battery-operated pump so that you won’t ever be caught without help, even when we lose power.
Unreliable appliances and rusty or long forgotten pipes can also increase your flood risk inside your home. Address any dripping water or leaks right away, and add leak sensors below any appliances that will alert you of any problem the moment they detect water.
Lastly, take care to store the things that mean the most to you up high or out of harm’s way. Water loves to destroy photographs and other keepsakes, so have a way to keep them safe. It is also important to keep copies of any documents and your emergency plan in a waterproof location as well.
If you still find water in your home after preparing as best as you can, don’t panic! Just be sure to act quickly to prevent long-term problems and irreparable damage.
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of Hershey/Swatara today to get your restoration completed faster.