5 Ways to Protect Your Home from Flooding

Floods are a common challenge that many Pacific Northwest home owners will face at one time or another. However, by keeping your home in good repair, moving valuables out of water’s way, and creating good drainage around your home, you can stop or reduce potential flood damage.

Unless your house sits at the highest point atop a mountain and your yard slopes downward, you are a potential victim of flooding.

That doesn't mean it's time to give up and buy a canoe. You have options to protect the place from floods.

1.Clean Out Gutters

Leaves, twigs, and other debris that has been dropped by birds or the wind can quickly build up in your gutters. Go around your house and make sure the gutters are clear of any leaves or debris to keep leaking and clogging to a minimum.

2.Reattach Loose Gutters

After years of powerful wind and weather, your gutters may not be as securely fastened to your roof as they once were. Make sure they are tightly secured to decrease the possibility of detachment.

3.Extend Gutters and Downspouts

Keeping water away from your foundation is critical during a downpour — extended gutters and downspouts will keep that rain water far away. A downspout should extend at least three feet from the foundation of your home — gutters work best when 7-8 inches wide. These changes will decrease the likelihood of your home's foundation from being saturated, which could lead to a flooded basement.

4.Cover Window Wells

Covering your window wells will prevent water and debris from filling the area if a gutter clog occurred during the storm. Check these window wells often during the storm in case of leakage.

5.Keep Storm Drains Clear

After gutter cleaning, you might have a lot of debris to dispose of — consider putting that debris in eco-friendly yard bags to keep streets clear. Dumping the waste on the side of the street will clog storm drains alongside the road and put a strain on your local resources and services. Do your streets a favor and keep those leaves contained.

It's important to know that most home policies don't cover flooding — just a few inches of water damage can cost thousands! If you decide that flood insurance is something for you, contact MIM right away, before the next downpour!