Protecting Your Home from Flood Damage

In the event of catastrophic weather situations, there may be little you can do to prevent your home from flooding. Nevertheless, many families who report flood damage to their homes each year could have prevented the damage of minor flooding with a few simple steps.

Here are a few ways that you can keep your home and your valuables safe from minor flood damage.

Keep Your Gutters Clean and Clear

Make sure that your gutters are cleaned and free of debris (including sticks and leaves). When gutters get clogged with these items, water is not able to drain properly and will begin to pool in your gutters. Eventually, all the water will run off at the corners of your house near the foundation, and will eventually begin to seep through the walls.

This scenario is the most frequent cause of basement flooding.

Check Your Downspouts

Downspouts are the tubes that connect to your gutters and divert water away from your home. Many times, due to weather and human error, these downspouts can become moved or clogged, leading to water pooling and / or water drop off too close to your home.

You will want to check the downspouts to make sure that water can move freely through them and that the water is being deposited at least three or four feet away from your home.

Keep Your Garden a Safe Distance Away

While gardens add substantial beauty to a home or yard, they also retain water. If your gardens are a safe distance away from your home, this will not cause a problem. However, if you have gardens that run immediately along the side of your home, water from the garden could seep into the house's foundation.

Make sure that there is a safe distance between your garden and your home to prevent unnecessary water damage.

With just a few simple steps you can help keep your home and your possessions safe from water damage. For more information on preventing flood damage, or if you are interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, contact the Austin real estate agents at the Carvajal Group today at 512-419-7770.