In 2020, only 6% of homeowners filed a claim on their homeowner's insurance policies. While the reasons for filing claims vary, water damage is a typical cause.

Water entering a home can quickly damage it, but this problem is one you can prevent in most cases. So how do you stop a house flood from occurring?

You can prevent this problem by taking the proper steps. So check out this guide as it explains the best steps to prevent water damage in your house.

Find Out if You're in a Flood Zone 

You'll know if a home is in a flood zone when you buy it. After all, the title work reveals this fact. But there are times when flood zones change.

So the first thing to determine is if you're in a flood zone. But, of course, there are different flood zone levels. Some have more risk than others.

If you're ready to build a house and want to buy land, you'll also know if it's in a flood zone.

If you want to build in a flood zone, you can make some vital adjustments to the home when building it. For example, elevate the house. Elevating the house raises it from the ground, reducing flood risk.

Creating a slope in the yard also helps. Water flows to the lowest point in a yard. So if your house is higher than the rest of your yard, water will drain away from it.

Waterproof Your Basement or Crawlspace

Storms are one cause of floods. However, there are other causes of flooding, including plumbing leaks. Water drainage problems are another. 

So whether you're in a flood zone or not, you must take the necessary steps to waterproof your home. Waterproofing a home is the process of sealing it.

Hiring a company that offers basement waterproofing is the best way to handle this task. They'll know the best methods and have the right equipment to handle it. 

During waterproofing, a company applies a sealant to your basement walls. In most cases, they do this on the interior walls. However, they might also suggest digging up around your foundation to waterproof the outside. 

When sealed, your basement walls stop water from getting into your house. Of course, this process won't prevent water from entering other ways, but it stops the groundwater from getting inside. 

You can also waterproof the walls in a crawlspace if you don't have a basement. You can click for basement waterproofing information and tips. 

Install a Sump Pump

You'll need a sump pump when your neighborhood experiences an unusually high amount of rain.

Unfortunately, many people wait to get one until it's too late. Then, they consider what to do after a flood and realize they should install a sump pump.

A sump pump is a plumbing device you place in your basement or crawlspace. You connect it to a pipe that extends outside your home and place it in a small pit in your basement floor.

A sump pump serves one vital role. The device kicks on when it senses a specific groundwater level. Then, it pumps the water and sends it away from your house.

You can prevent most basement floods by having a sump pump. However, combining all the methods listed here provides the most relief. 

Install and Maintain a Gutter System

You might not realize how vital a gutter system is until after you experience water damage. Once your home gets flooded from a malfunctioning gutter system, you'll call a gutter company for repairs or installation.

Gutters are devices attached to your home's roof. While gutters come in several types, most function the same. They collect rainwater that lands on a roof, forcing it away from the house.

Without gutters, the rainwater lands on the ground by the home's foundation. Unfortunately, this increases the risks of the water seeping into the house, causing a home flood.

Thus, flood prevention requires installing and maintaining a gutter system. If you don't currently have one, get one soon. 

Maintain Your Plumbing System

You can also avoid a flood cleanup by preventing your plumbing system from allowing one. Home floods commonly occur from malfunctioning plumbing systems.

For example, a leaky pipe can lead to a home flood. Home floods also happen from burst pipes. Burst pipes generally occur after a pipe freezes in a house. 

Some homeowners experience dirty home floods when their septic systems fail or develop issues. For example, wastewater can enter your house if you develop a main sewer line clog.

Many plumbing floods come out of nowhere, but you can prevent most. The best way to prevent these is by maintaining your plumbing system. Here are a few ways to do this:

  • Empty your septic tank regularly
  • Clean your drainpipes annually or as needed
  • Replace pipes when they wear out
  • Insulate pipes in exterior walls 

Of course, you can hire a plumber to do these things in your house. Then, you'll reduce your risk of floods caused by plumbing failures.

Put in a Drainage System

As you can see, draining water away from your house is vital to avoid a flooded house. So consider installing a drainage system. 

Drainage systems come in several types. Some are outside a home's perimeter, while others are in a home's basement.

The purpose of a drainage system is to collect water that comes near your house. After collecting it, the water exits the area through a pipe, forcing it away from your house.

You can avoid most home floods with an effective drainage system. However, again, combining all these methods is the best prevention for every homeowner. 

Avoid a House Flood With the Proper Protection

While you can't prevent nature from rain storms, hurricanes, and tornados, you can take steps to prevent a house flood. Following these steps will increase your home's protection against unwanted water. 

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