Floods can hit unexpectedly, giving you little time to prepare. However, there are steps you can take to protect your house from its effects. This ranges from looking after your gutters to flood-proofing your garden.
ICE Cleaning is a specialist cleaning company who provide flood restoration services nationwide, day and night. From water extraction to drying solutions, its teams use their industry knowledge to clean the premises to a high standard.
Below, the experts give advice on how to prevent flood damage to your property.
Look after gutters and roof shingles
Clogged gutters prevent proper drainage of water away from your house, so should be cleared twice a year. Cleaning your gutters stops water from collecting at the foundation of your property or on the surface of the roof.
Get a professional in to complete this job, as they will have plenty of experience in removing dirt and debris from gutters.
Also be sure to keep an eye on your roof shingles. Check for damage and missing tiles, often the result of adverse weather conditions. Hire in a roofer to fix any tiles, helping keep your house water tight.
If shingles have blown away or are damaged, then you are more prone to leaks. Sealing the roof will reduce the chances of leaks in your property.
Add flood-proofing to your garden
In the garden, consider adding some flood-proofing features. For example, slope your lawn away from the house, or add raised flower beds.
Other things you can do include improving the drainage in the garden to avoid excess water from collecting.
The features added to your garden can make it more aesthetically appeasing too. If you are unsure where to start, consider getting a landscaper to help you. They can offer you insight on what would work for your garden, assisting you in protecting your home from the elements.
Adapt your property
In order to minimise the risk of flooding, investing in equipment like a sump pump can help. This is placed in the lowest area of the home, where the sump basin collects fallen water. The pump will then push excess water away from the home.
Alternatively, you could install a one-way valve. This prevents backing up of water towards the structure of the property, as it only allows it to travel in one direction.
It is also wise to keep a store of sandbags. They mainly consist of sand and soil, and are relatively cheap. Designed to obstruct water from entering the building, sand bags are an excellent addition to your flood prevention plan.
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