Heavy rainfall is common in the Pacific Northwest, but that doesn’t mean homeowners here aren’t at risk when it rains. Home flooding is a common problem for anyone who lives in an area prone to rain and rivers. How do you know if your house is at risk of flooding? What can you do to protect your home from water damage? Here are some tips from local real estate agents on how to stop your house from flooding when it rains.
How To Stop My House From Flooding When It Rains?
Install a Shower Diverter
If you have a leaky shower head, you could be adding to your flooding woes every time you shower. If it’s a problem that’s easy to resolve, installing a diverter on the end of your shower head can stop flooding when it rains by reducing the amount of water that escapes from the shower head. As a bonus, diverters generally reduce water flow, saving you money on your water bill. If you have an older shower head that seems to be constantly dripping, there’s a good chance you’ll have to replace it to get the desired result. Newer shower heads are designed to be drip-free and aren’t usually easy to disassemble so you can install a diverter.
Put in a sump pump
If you have a sump pit in your home, chances are you’ll be able to solve your flooding issue by adding a sump pump. Sump pits are usually installed in areas that are at high risk for flooding, like basements and lower levels of a home. They typically consist of a pit filled with gravel where water collects and drains to the outside of the house through a pipe. A sump pump is used to pump water out of the pit. Sump pumps aren’t perfect, but they can be an effective way to prevent flooding from heavy rains. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of styles, including ones that can be installed inside the sump pit so they’re out of the way.
Repair cracked walls and foundations
Solving water issues that are caused by a crack in your home’s foundation or walls will likely require hiring a contractor to make the necessary repairs. The best way to find out what needs to be done is to hire a professional who can do a thorough inspection of your home’s foundation and walls. There are some signs that may indicate you have a problem. For example, if your home is sitting in a low-lying area and has been flooded just a few times during heavy rainstorms, you may need to have the foundation inspected.
Add venting to your crawlspace
If you have a crawlspace, you may want to consider adding venting to stop flooding when it rains. This requires cutting small holes in the floor of the crawlspace and installing vents so that air can flow through the area. This airflow stops the crawlspace from becoming a closed-off space where water collects. Venting a crawlspace is a job that should be handled by a contractor who is experienced in this type of project. It’s very important that the vents are installed properly so that water doesn’t back up into the house.
Install a dehumidifier
If you’re dealing with flooding because you have a high level of humidity in your home, installing a dehumidifier is one way to stop flooding when it rains. Humidity levels in a home can rise for a variety of reasons, including being in an area that’s too humid or having too many indoor plants. Dehumidifiers are an effective way to control humidity. They come in a wide range of sizes, so there’s a model out there that will fit in just about any space. Depending on the size of your home and its current level of humidity, you may need to have more than one dehumidifier installed to solve your problem. If you have a basement or crawlspace, you may want to install one of these appliances in that area as well.
How To Protect Your Basement From Water Damage?
Install A High-Quality Foundation Drain
A foundation drain is a large pipe that connects the lowest point of your house to the nearest outdoor drain, usually located in your garage or driveway. If water starts to pile up in your basement, a foundation drain will direct that excess water out of your house and away from your basement. A high-quality foundation drain typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, depending on the size of your home and the type of drain that you choose. But the cost of installing a foundation drain is worth the peace of mind knowing that you’re protected against significant water damage. Foundation drains are rated according to their “discharge capacity,” which is simply the amount of water they can handle before they overflow. The higher the discharge capacity of your foundation drain, the larger the pipe and the less likely it will be to overflow during a storm.
Install A Catchment & Irrigation System
A catchment and irrigation system is basically a trench that runs from your roof to your foundation. When rainwater hits your roof, it flows into the trench and then into the foundation. But most homeowners don’t want rainwater flowing into their basements. That’s why a catchment and irrigation system is also connected to your gutters, so that the water is directed away from your house and out to a landscaping area. Water flows into the gutters and is directed to the trench that runs from your roof to your basement. You can connect this trench to a sump pump that pumps the water out of your basement.
Install Ventilation Systems
Ventilating your basement is another way to protect it from water damage. When water flows into your basement, it will create humidity. If you don’t have any way of removing that water and excess humidity, your basement will start to suffer from mold and mildew. In order to reduce humidity levels in your basement, you can install a ventilation system. You can install an exhaust fan by connecting it to a switch that is activated by the humidity levels in your basement.
Tips For Dealing With House Flooding After The Rain Has Stopped
Identify The Sources of Water
The first step in any house flooding cleanup is to identify the sources of water. To do this, you’ll have to walk through your house with a critical eye. Be sure to check your first floor and any basement areas that are prone to flooding if your house has a finished basement. Check areas below windows and other sources of outside water. If you find water inside, check for sources of water outside. Look for cracked or rotting shingles, broken or detached downspouts, clogged gutters, broken or missing shingles, and missing or broken flashing around chimneys.
Repair Any Leaks Now
If you discover a leak, you need to get it fixed right away. Waiting will only increase the damage and the cost of getting it repaired. If you need help finding the leak, there are a couple of ways to go about it. You can use a portable flood detector that can pick up small leaks. They’re battery-operated and can easily be moved from room to room. If you want a more permanent solution, you can install a water alarm. They are easy to install and can sound an alarm when water is detected. If you discover that your roof is the source of a leak, you can likely repair the problem yourself with a patching or repair product designed for shingles. Some roofing companies may offer a free roof inspection as a way to gain new customers. Wait until the roof has dried out before getting on it to make repairs, and make sure that you’re properly safety-equipped before climbing.
Turn On your Flood Protection System
If you have a flood protection system installed in your home, turn it on now. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and a flooded home is not safe. Make sure to follow any maintenance instructions for your flood protection system, as well as any installation instructions, as soon as possible. A flooded home can damage your flood protection system. If your house is equipped with an automatic flood protection system, make sure that it’s turned on and operational. If it isn’t already installed, you may want to think about installing a flood protection system. It will automatically protect your home from flooding, no matter how heavy the rain is or how much you forget.
Conclusion
House flooding can happen to anyone, but it’s important to take steps to protect your home. Depending on the severity of the problem, it may be able to be fixed with minimal damage, or it may be more expensive. You can take steps to prevent house flooding, and many types of damage can be fixed with regular maintenance. If your house has been flooded, you can use these tips to clean up and prevent further water damage.
