Intense rainfall is forcing home flood protection to be a bigger concern than ever before. In 2021, historic Philadelphia flooding from Hurricane Ida left homeowners with ruined possessions and expensive repairs.
Extreme storms, like Ida, are no longer rare. Don’t lose any more sentimental items or pay for more water damage remediation. Now is the time to protect your property with these flood prevention tips from Benditt Mechanical.
Outdoor Flood Prevention Systems
The most effective way to protect against flooding is to keep water away. Outdoor solutions direct water away from your home to decrease the likelihood of indoor leaks.
Regrade Your Lawn
How does the current grading of your lawn direct water flow?
If your lawn slopes towards your home, the rain flows that way. Regrading your lawn to slope away from your property directs flow to safer locations.
Plant Some Greenery
Even if your lawn slopes away from your house, puddles or pools may form in low-lying areas.
Plants are a simple tool to manage water pooling. Rain gardens or trees in damp areas can help absorb excess water. Plus, you can enjoy more beauty in your yard.
Install a Drainage System
Flooding in Philadelphia and surrounding areas can be extreme because of the amount of concrete and asphalt. Rain runs off of impermeable surfaces rather than soaking in, like with soil.
Installing a storm drainage system is key to directing stormwater runoff away from your property.
Drainage experts observe how water flows and collects around your property. Then, they design a system of downspouts, area drains, and subsurface drains to direct stormwater away from your property.
Keep Drainage Systems Clear
Leaves, twigs, trash, and other debris can clog or damage key components of your drainage system.
In stormy seasons, keep these components clear to prevent flooding:
- Gutters
- Downspouts
- Storm drains
If you notice damage to any components, contact an expert to repair your system as soon as possible.
Ways to Prevent Flooding Inside Your Home
Outdoor solutions are a priority, but what if they aren’t enough? There are a number of tactics homeowners can take to prevent flooding in house interiors.
Design Choices for Protected Property
Modifications to your house can make it better suited to handle flooding without major damage.
Consider the following when designing or renovating your home:
- Flood Vents – Flood vents in crawl spaces and garages allow water to flow in and out. That reduces water pressure and potential damage to your foundation and other key structural elements.
- Sump Pumps – Sump pumps help prevent basement flooding by pumping water out of the basement. Choose one with a battery backup, as major storms often bring power outages.
- Electrical Socket Placement – Raise electrical outlets, switches, and sockets a foot or two off the floor to avoid water damage.
Stay Prepared When Floods Strike
As Philadelphia flooding has proven in the past, a major storm can strike at any time.
Having measures in place to protect your personal property is key to limiting flood consequences.
Use these flood prevention tips when heavy rain is in the forecast:
- Raise appliances with concrete blocks
- Turn off electricity at your breaker
- Move sentimental or valuable items to upper floors
- Set up temporary flood barriers such as sandbags
Prevent Flood Damage with Benditt Mechanical
The best flood prevention for your home is to utilize outdoor systems to move water away from the property. Landscaping choices and drainage systems move the water to safer areas. Indoor features like sump pumps and raised electrical components create a more resilient home. Taking action in the moment to protect your belongings also makes a difference.
Now is the time to prepare home flood protection in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Save your possessions, maintain your home value, and prevent major repair costs with these tactics. Contact Benditt Mechanical to install, repair, or replace a storm drainage system today.