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How to Keep Your New Paltz Home Safe From Flooding
10/5/2022 (Permalink)
Regular home maintenance is vital to help keep flooding problems at bay!
All homeowners in Ulster County need to take steps to protect against flooding, even if you’re in a low-risk area. It takes less than an inch of water to do serious damage to your home, and with the unpredictability of weather, that could happen in under an hour.
You can take steps both inside and outside of your home to protect against flooding, but it all starts with understanding our local risks. Here in Ulster County, we face a higher risk of flooding than most, primarily due to our close proximity to the Hudson, the Esopus Creek and other tributaries that can overflow into our streets during storms.
After you fully know what types of weather we may face, you can begin to plan against them.
Heavy rainfall can come through out of nowhere, and if you haven’t taken time to prepare your property, you could be at serious risk of suffering water damage. Ensure that your gutters are free of debris likes leaves and sticks and working properly. Consider adding materials like mulch or gravel around the foundation to assist with water distribution around your home.
In addition, you can use landscaping techniques like rain gardens that feature bushes, flowers and small trees to absorb the water before it has a chance to cause a flood. You can also use organic materials like mulch or pine straw to increase water absorption near your home’s structure.
When done properly, these upgrades not only offer some natural beauty but can give your home a layer of protection, helping you to feel safe during the next extreme weather event.
External flooding sources can wreak havoc on your foundation, meaning that you must seal any cracks immediately and think about further steps like installing a sump pump to remove excess water during a severe storm. If flooding has been a consistent problem in your basement, contact a local contractor to see if the area can be sealed from the inside. Try to keep that area as dry as possible with the help of a dehumidifier, just remember to empty it often! Additionally, if you do install a sump pump, advise your homeowner's insurance so it can be added on to your policy.
Flooding can also originate indoors from faulty plumbing, hot water heater malfunctions or faucet leaks, but performing simple home maintenance can go a long way. Monitor your home’s pipes for any leaks, have the hot water heater maintained yearly and have a plumber at the ready!
Whatever the potential causes, floodwater is dangerous and will damage documents and photos quickly, so keep these items in waterproof containers on high shelves. In addition, practice an emergency plan with your family so that everyone knows where to go and what to do in case you experience a flood.
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO today to get your restoration completed faster. We're always here to help with an emergency response 24/7.