If you live in a flood-prone area like Westport, Connecticut, you know that when a big storm rolls in, the last thing you want to worry about is water getting into your home.
The good news? A few simple steps can help reduce the risk of flooding.
Here are the three key ways to prepare for the storm:
- Make sure water flows away from your house.
- One of the biggest causes of flooding isn’t just the rain. It’s where the water ends up. You want to keep it moving away from your home, not toward it.
- Start by clearing gutters and downspouts so they don’t get clogged and cause water to overflow near your foundation.
- If your downspouts empty too close to your house, extend them at least six feet away to help direct water further out. And take a look at your yard. Does it slope away from your home or toward it?
- If water tends to pool near your foundation, this could be a problem.
2. Waterproof and block water entry.
- Even with good drainage, heavy rain can still find a way into your home if it isn’t properly sealed.
- Sandbags or temporary barriers can be a great short-term solution to protect doors and low-lying areas.
- Sealing cracks around basement windows and doors can help reduce leaks before they start.
- And if your home has a basement, consider a sump pump. On second thought, make it TWO sum pumps, both with battery backups, which can help pump water out before it becomes a bigger issue.
- And, of course, nothing beats a whole house generator to keep the system running in the event of a sustained power outage.
3. Check your flood insurance.
- Here’s something a lot of homeowners don’t realize. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover flooding.
- If you’re in a high-risk area, take a minute to look into FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or check with a private insurer to see what options are available.
- The best time to get flood insurance? Before you need it.
- Many policies have a waiting period, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Final thoughts.
These three steps improving drainage, sealing up entry points, and making sure you’re covered can go a long way in reducing flood risk.
If you’ve had any concerns about a property’s flood risk, feel free to reach out. And if you found this helpful, pass it along to someone who might need it.
Judy Michaelis
