All year long but especially in the fall, we see how powerful and damaging water can be in nature and in your home. In Georgia, intense rain can cause flash flooding when hurricanes pass by on the coast so we need to be prepared before the storms and know what to do after one damages your home or business.
If you are prepared for storms such as these, you need to know if you are in a flood zone, have an emergency kit, have a way to stay informed when the power is out and have an evacuation route if needed. Now that you are ready to protect your family, how do you prepare your home or business?
1. Before the storm, check your insurance policy to be sure your property is covered in the event of a flood. Not all insurance companies are the same, and not all policies at the same insurance company are the same so it is important to know your coverage before something happens. Once you do have a flood, ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens works with you to help you navigate your claim during a water damage mitigation, but you need to be sure you have the coverage in place before you need it.
2. If you are at risk for flooding damage, look at the building materials on the lowest level of the structure. Concrete, brick, metal, stone and pressure treated lumber are the most flood resistant building materials. Ceramic tile is the most resistant flooring, and hollow metal doors will not swell and crack like wooden doors.
3. Water and electricity don't mix and can have fatal consequences. Ideally, all your electronics are at least a foot above the ground so any minor flooding does not damage them or spark an electrical fire.
4. Whether you have septic or sewage, floods can cause backflows through ANY drain line that will create a smelly mess. Installing a backflow valves on the main waste drain lines can help protect your home and business from this risk. Because of the importance of this step, be careful to use a professional to do this. This is not a DIY task.
5. Keep up maintenance of trees and shrubs in your yard. Deadfall is dangerous debris that can damage your home during a storm with high winds.
Of course sometimes storms damage a home or business, no matter how hard you try to protect it, but these measures will help reduce the potential damage. Once you do experience a water loss, whether due to a storm or other reason, ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens can help mitigate the damage and get you prepared to restore your home or business while keeping you and your insurance company informed every step of the way.
