24/7 Emergency Service
How to Keep Flooding at Bay in East Fishkill
10/5/2022 (Permalink)
Protect your home from flooding both inside and out. Contact SERVPRO for water damage restoration in the event of a disaster!
All homeowners in Dutchess County need to take steps to protect against flooding, even if you’re in a low-risk area. It takes less than an inch of water to do serious damage to your home, and with the unpredictability of weather, that could happen in under an hour.
You can take steps both inside and outside of your home to protect against flooding, but it all starts with understanding our local risks. Here in Dutchess County, we face a higher risk of flooding than most, primarily due to our relatively flat terrain and our close proximity to a large river and it's tributaries that can overflow into our streets during storms.
After you fully know what types of weather we may face, you can begin to plan against them.
Heavy rainfall can come through out of nowhere, and if you haven’t taken time to prepare your property, you could be at serious risk of suffering water damage. Ensure that your gutters are working properly, and consider adding materials like mulch or gravel to assist with water distribution around your home.
In addition, you can use landscaping techniques like rain gardens that feature bushes, flowers and small trees to absorb the water before it has a chance to cause a flood. You can also use organic materials like mulch or pine straw to increase water absorption near your home’s structure.
When done properly, these upgrades can give your home a layer of protection, allowing you to feel safe during the next extreme weather event.
External flooding sources can wreak havoc on your foundation, meaning that you must seal any cracks immediately and think about further steps like installing a sump pump to remove excess water during a severe storm. If you do install a sump pump, make sure to alert your homeowner's insurance company so they can add that coverage on to your policy.
Flooding can also originate indoors from faulty plumbing or faucet leaks, but performing simple home maintenance can go a long way. Monitor your home’s pipes for any leaks and install leak detectors in any locations that could see frequent moisture.
Whatever the potential causes, floodwater is dangerous and will damage documents and photos quickly, so keep these items in waterproof containers on high shelves. In addition, practice an emergency plan with your family so that everyone knows where to go and what to do in case you experience a flood.
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO today to get your restoration started and completed faster. 24/7, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County is always here to help with an emergency response for your property damage.