No one likes to think about the prospect that a flood or other water damage could affect their home. But preparation can make the difference between a small cleanup and a huge disaster. So what can you do to prevent and prepare for a water damage emergency?
1. Have a plan.
Think ahead of time about your course of action. When water damage prevention isn’t possible, preparation is key. Keep the names and numbers of your preferred plumber, your insurance agent or claims line, and a certified water damage restoration company saved in your phone, as well as in a water-safe covering on your fridge or in another easy-to-reach area.
It’s also a good idea to have an evacuation or safety plan in place in the case of a major flooding disaster in your area. Talking this over with your family now could save you valuable time and worry in the future.
2. Check your insurance policy.
If you’re a homeowner, you probably have homeowner’s insurance. But did you know that most regular homeowner policies don’t cover flooding? They may cover damage from a dishwasher malfunction, toilet overflow, or plumbing issue occurring inside your home. But if outside flooding creeps in, you may be sunk. “Flood” in insurance terms means any water that hits the ground before coming into the house. It isn’t limited to just big weather disasters: an outdoor pipe break, for example, could cause flooding in a basement or crawlspace. This circumstance is often not covered on homeowner’s insurance policies without extra flood protection.
Talk to your insurance agent. Most of the time, you can add a fairly inexpensive rider to your homeowner’s policy to protect from outside flooding, which is a great supplement to what’s covered under your homeowner’s policy. This can give you added peace of mind and ensure that your home and belongings are safe even in the worst weather.
3. Check your sump pump.
Many water damage losses can be prevented or minimized through use of a properly functioning sump pump. Check yours periodically to make sure it’s working properly.
We often see flooding or water damage emergencies occurring when power is lost in an area due to extreme weather. Unfortunately, this is when you need your sump pump the most! We highly recommend looking into getting a sump pump with a built-in battery backup, so that even if the lights go out, your home will have some defense against water damage. However, a note of caution: even the best backup battery can only last 6-8 hours. If your power looks like it’ll be out for longer than that, and your plumber can’t get there first, you may need to go out and buy a second backup battery to keep the pump running until a plumber can assess the situation.
These few tips can help you be better prepared for the worst, so you can enjoy the here-and-now with peace of mind. If disaster strikes, don’t wait – call in the experts. Often, damage can be minimized if water mitigation is started right away. CleanWorks can respond to emergency calls within four hours, 24/7, so you can rest easy knowing that we’re on call for you.