Tips for Preventing Home Water Damage
Florida is no stranger to natural disasters; there’s a reason the state ranks second only to California in the number of property damage claims by home and business owners. Because Florida has so many hurricanes, it is understandable many homeowners have water damage, flood damage, hail damage, wind damage, or hurricane damage.
However, Florida also has more lightning strikes than any other state due to the sheer number of thunderstorms the state has each year. Even a thunderstorm can lead to home water damage due to standing water or high winds that lead to roof damage. Lightning strikes can lead to fire and smoke damage as well.
When bad weather strikes, you need to protect against home water damage. Here are our top tips for preventing home water damage and staying safe no matter how bad the storm gets.
1) Know Your Flood Risk
One of the best ways to prevent home water damage is to know the likelihood your home will flood during a tropical storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has maps that you can look at.
The government uses letters to designate property at risk of floods. If your home is in a zone marked A or V, you are at a higher risk of flooding. Once you know your risk, you can start to prepare for water damage to your home.
2) Keep Tuned for Hurricane or Tropical Storms
Hurricane season begins on June 1 each year, and ends on November 30, but Florida has experienced tropical systems in May and December. The National Hurricane Center provides updates each hurricane seasons several times a day. The sooner you know if a tropical system is headed your way, the faster you can act to prevent water damage.
3) Seal Your Foundation
Preventing water damage can start with your foundation. Foundations in Florida are prone to cracking because of the nature of Florida soil. If you seal your foundation, you prevent water from getting in and causing foundation damage. If you have a basement–which some homes in the Panhandle have–you can seal the basement walls as well.
4) Keep Your Gutters Clean
Storms have the potential for unleashing inches of water in a short period of time. If your gutters and downspouts aren’t cleaned of dirt and debris, the water will pool around your foundation. Make sure you have clean gutters to reduce the risk of flooding. Check your downspouts to make sure they are not pointed towards the house.
5) Think About Flood Sensors
Have you heard of flood sensors? You can buy flood sensors in a hardware store and install them for water detection. These flood sensors can be used even in areas without tropical systems because it can detect flooding from washing machines, water heaters, and dishwashers. If flooding of any kind occurs, the flood sensor will warn you as soon as it detects water, which could potentially save you thousands of dollars in claims.
6) Repair Any Leaks Immediately
Another way you can prevent home water damage and practice staying safe is to have any leaks repaired as soon as possible. Even a small leak under your kitchen sink can crack a pipe and cause thousands of dollars in damage if you leave it for an extended period. Leaks can also cause mold growth, which can cause allergies and illness.
7) Take A Look at Your Yard
Many Floridians take a great deal of pride in their yards because we spend so much time outdoors. You may not have thought about it previously, but if you make sure your yard is graded properly, you can reduce your risk of flooding. Also, have an arborist check your trees and large bushes to make sure they are healthy. Sick trees and shrubs can become flying debris during a storm.
8) Install A Sump Pump
Sump pumps are generally installed to remove water from basements, or the lowest point in your home. However, some people install sump pumps close to their foundations on a bottom floor to prevent flood damage during a storm. You can check with a contractor to see if you could have a sump pump installed in your home.
9) Put Your Appliances Above Your Floor
If you raise your washer, dryer, dishwashers, refrigerators, and other appliances a little higher on your floor (usually with blocks), you may be able to minimize damage in your kitchen or laundry room if water enters your home. You may be able to elevate your HVAC system as well. Check with a contractor to see if elevating your appliances or HVAC system is a possibility.
10) Check Your Insurance Policy
It’s always a good idea to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is up to date once a year. Check your deductible and claim limitations on all your possible claim types, such as fire, water, and hail damage. That way, if the unthinkable happens, you’ll be ready to tackle your insurance claims and get your home repaired as soon as possible.
I Need Help with A Water Damage Claim. What Should I Do?
If you have recently experienced problems with a water damage claim, you may want to think about hiring a public adjuster. A public adjuster is your advocate and works with your insurance company to get you the most money possible for your water damage claim. If you need help with a property damage insurance claim, get in touch with Property Protectors today to get a free consultation. We’ll get started working on your claim.
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