FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023
When a flood threatens your home, you want to do everything you can to keep the water out. No one wants to have to spring into action and bail water out of their downstairs in the face of a flood.
Water damages are often very potent. They could easily damage your flooring, foundations, walls, furniture and personal affects. In fact, a severe flood could easily compromise the structural integrity of your home.
There are many simple ways that homeowners can shore up their homes before flooding. That way, they can reduce the risks of damages. Doing so may help the owner avoid costly flood insurance claims. 
Flood Insurance
Flood damages typically aren’t covered by the standard home insurance policy. You usually have to buy a flood insurance policy to cover these specific risks.
While some flood damages may have coverage in a standard home policy, flood insurance policies are usually much more comprehensive. However, even flood insurance has limits. If water damages exceed the value of the policy, you still may face costly repair bills.
Tips to Deter Flood Waters
Because insurance may not cover all flood damages, do everything you can to keep waters away from your home.
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Clean out your gutters and check that they function properly. If your gutters and downspouts clog or break, it could allow water to flood into your home. Make sure that your gutters direct water downhill, away from you home.
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Check around your foundations for any holes, cracks or weaknesses. A strong home structure can better prevent water breaches.
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Often, you can buy temporary dams or sandbags to block water from seeping under your doors or windows. This can prevent small instances of water damage. You can easily store these and put them in place in case of flash floods.
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If you live in a very high-risk zone, you may be able to construct your home in a special way to reduce flood risks. Building elevated floors or wash zones into the home could reduce damage risks.
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If you feel that flooding is an imminent threat, take emergency steps. Move valuables to higher ground. Secure your food and electricity stores. Try to reinforce the home with sandbags or artificial levees. Sandbagging and other damming techniques can serve as vital timesavers and safety measures.
Most importantly, make sure your insurance is right for your home’s risk. Flood insurance covers homes in different ways based on their risks. Your insurance agent can help you decide how much insurance you need.
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