How to Protect Your Home Against Spring Flooding

The spring flood season is about to begin, and homeowners need to be prepared. Flooding can pose risks not just for homes – but also for health. Floodwater contamination is common after heavy rains, which can cause illnesses due to bacteria or other contaminants coming into contact with people or entering the food chain through contaminated water. The experts at PuroClean have compiled some spring flooding prevention and preparation tips to help ensure that your home and those in it stay safe this spring!

What Causes Extra Flooding During Spring?

Flooding is common in the spring months due to rain and melting snow, but spring flooding can also be caused by thawing permafrost and geothermal heat flux. Thawing permafrost causes ground instability and increases landslide risks. Geothermal heat flux, which is the flow of hot groundwater from rivers or lakes to the glaciers above, causes ice melting and spring flooding in high-latitude regions.

Flooding is an important spring issue in many areas, with spring floods occurring in many places every year. In the US, for example, spring flooding affects millions of homes in river drainage basins, causing damage to property and public infrastructures every spring.

5 Spring Flooding Prevention and Preparation Tips for Homeowners

Spring flooding is largely preventable by taking some simple precautions. Although thawing snow and heavy rains won’t stop, taking the necessary steps can prevent the water from getting into and damaging your home. Here are 5 spring flooding prevention tips for homeowners:

1. Create an Emergency Spring Flood Plan

The first step to spring flood prevention is having an emergency spring flood plan in place. A spring flood plan should cover the actions you’ll take if your home floods. Be sure to include steps to take immediately in the situation, a meeting place, and information about who to contact. Practice the plan with your family, so everyone is prepared.

2. Check Your Insurance Policy

Homeowners who live in a flood risk area should take the time to check their insurance policies and make sure they are covered for spring flooding. Most insurance companies do not automatically cover floods; knowing this before a flood occurs can be a tremendous help. Many plans can take 30 days to go into effect, so don’t put it off too long, or it may be too late.

3. Install French Drains or Sump Pump

French drains, also known as weeping tiles, are a great spring flood prevention tool that help divert water away from homes and other buildings. Sump pumps work by diverting water away from the house foundation while keeping the basement dry.

4. Check and Clear Drains and Gutters

Your spring flooding prevention plan should include: 

1. Checking all the drains on your property.
2. Making sure that gutters and storm drains are not blocked, as well as downspouts that carry water away from the foundation. 
3. It also doesn’t hurt to have sandbags available in case of a sudden and torrential spring storm.

5. Install Flood Detection Sensors

Spring flooding is particularly difficult because it can come with little to no warning. Having a spring flood detection sensor installed allows you the security of knowing when spring flooding occurs, even if you are not home at the time. This kind of spring flood awareness system will give you peace of mind – even if your house floods!

Call PuroClean of Birmingham for Water Damage Restoration!

Nobody can forecast the weather, but we do have the ability to take precautions to safeguard ourselves. Following these spring flooding prevention measures may help you avoid anxiety and stress during harsh spring storms. However, keep in mind that even the best precautions aren’t guaranteed; water damage is still possible. PuroClean of Birmingham’s water damage restoration experts are available 24/7 to assist. Visit our website or call (205) 994-7227 to get connected with your local Birmingham PuroClean office today.