As everyone living in Northeastern Indiana can agree, flooding is a constant threat for property owners during the spring and summer months.

As soon as we get the mobile notification that announces the severe weather alert, it can be nerve-wracking to wonder if or when our homes or buildings will be flooded. Unless you are on the 2^nd floor or higher, your home or building can be at severe risk for water seeping into your foundation.

However, ServiceMaster by Restoration Contractors is an expert in flood extraction as well as providing tips for what you can do to prevent this catastrophe from occurring.

While these do not guarantee that flooding will not occur, they will significantly reduce your chances of finding a swimming pool in your basement.

Flood Prevention Tips

1. Install a Sump Pump

These amazing home additions can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs by effectively pumping the water away from your foundation.

Usually located in the basement, a sump pump can prevent in-home flooding if the storm is not severe. However, you will want to test it periodically by filling it with water to make sure it is in perfect working condition.

This way, you will be ready for when the foundation is facing the risk of water seepage.

2. Inspect the Foundation

You may not realize it, but your home or building is vulnerable to water or flood damage from any part of the foundation.

Because it is connected to a number of pipes, it may contain cracks in the cement, or the sealing within the floorboards may be wearing away; therefore, there is always the risk of flooding during each rainstorm.

But to prevent the water from seeping in, be sure to inspect the following building materials:

• Doors and windows. Make sure that they are sealed tightly and are water-resistant. Even if it contains a small crack, water will find its way in and cause significant damage.
• Replace wooden floorboards. Especially within the basement, they can absorb a lot of water and easily become warped upon contact with floodwater. You can do yourself a favor by replacing them with hard flooring, such as tile.
• Slope of the ground around foundation. Having a home placed on the bottom of a hill where the water can seep in easily is a recipe for disaster. You may want to invest in creating a slope around your home or building to allow the water to flow away from the foundation during thunderstorms.
• Water-resistant plaster. For basement walls, water can easily get absorbed into drywall and cause severe damage. But thankfully it can be prevented by adding water-resistant plaster to allow the water to run over the surface instead of in it.
• Backflow valves on pipes. If flooding does occur, you can prevent the water from affecting the sewage system by installing backflow valves on these pipes. This will prevent the contaminated wastewater from flowing back into the foundation.
• Check the foundation and roof for cracks. These areas are among the most common for water to seep in and create a leak. Once it has entered, the damage will spread quickly, even after the rainstorm has passed.

3. Downspouts and Gutters

These areas are also one of the largest contributors to property flooding. Especially if there are blockages within the rain gutters and downspouts, water will spill over into the foundation, instead of flowing away from the property.

By cleaning your gutters at least once each year will prevent this problem from occurring in the future.

4. Invest in Flood Sensors

Many property owners are unaware of this new mechanism, but our water restoration technicians recommend you invest in a flood detection and prevention sensor to be notified in the earliest stages of flooding.

They can be included within home security packages that are offered by LifeShield, FrontPoint, Vivint, ADT, SimpliSafe, and others.

They also detect other sources of flooding, including unattended faucets, water-related appliance malfunctions, corroded water softeners, burst or leaking pipes, and other possible sources.

As soon as the water has been detected, you will receive a notification via text or e-mail to address the problem before it becomes catastrophic.

5. Automated Shutoff Valves

Again, thanks to modern technology, you can also invest in automatic shutoff valves that will cut off the main water supply to the property when detecting an approaching flood. It can be installed near the main water inlet and will activate as soon as the flood sensor detects a water leak on the property.

Although the mechanisms themselves are inexpensive to purchase, they should be installed by a trained plumber that is knowledgeable in cutting pipes. As long as they are installed correctly, they can prevent major flooding within the property, saving you from a huge headache of restoring building materials.

6. Raise Electrical Components

Although it can be costly, raising switches, circuit breakers, sockets, and wiring in the basement can save you from sustaining severe electrical damage in the future.

In addition, make sure that all appliances under ground level are raised at least a few inches off the floor so they are not submerged if flooding does occur.

Call Emergency Flood Cleanup Services

While these tips can certainly reduce your chances of sustaining severe water damage during rainstorms, they will not guarantee that it will never happen.

Water damage is actually common in many properties due to the significant number of sources. These can include burst or leaking pipe, cracks within the foundation, severe natural flooding, appliance malfunction, sewer backups, and many more.

If you do happen to experience flooding on your property, you should never hesitate to call a professional water damage restoration company, such as ServiceMaster by Restoration Contractors.

If you wait any longer, the damage will spread to affect new surfaces, even harbor perfect conditions for mold to grow.  But our technicians are trained and experienced in disaster restoration services, including flood cleanup and mold removal.

In the case that you have a water-related emergency, do not hesitate to call us at (260) 420-1502. We are available 24/7 and will arrive within 2 hours of your first call.