Precipitation has been up in the state of Minnesota so far this year. June was wet and warm, with July following suit. Some storms recorded this year were capable of dropping more than 6 inches of rain overnight. With increased rainfall comes an increased risk of home water damage due to flooding. 

That begs the question: what do you do about it? How do Twin Cities homeowners worried about Flash Flood warnings and watches best prepare their homes for any impending deluge? In today’s post, you’ll find the answers to your questions about flood prep. We’ll cover the main dangers of flooding and steps you can take to protect your home from the worst of it.

4 Easy Ways to Prepare for Flooding in Your Home

1. Take steps to waterproof your basement and all attached entrances.

Of all the steps listed here, this is one of the most important. Why? Because in a flood situation, the likeliest place for water damage to occur is in your basement. If your basement is sufficiently waterproofed, you’re far less likely to have issues elsewhere in your home. Here are steps you can take to protect your basement:

• Make sure the gutters and downspouts around your home are clean and well-maintained 
• Consistently monitor your foundation for cracks and, if you see one, immediately have it repaired 
• Pay attention to your landscaping so that you can notice and adjust for any pooling or other signs of poor drainage before extreme rainfall
• Invest in regular plumbing maintenance so that, if your home needs to quickly drain or process water, it can do so without blockage 
• Purchase window well covers for below-grade windows in your basement

2. Have electrical components elevated to flood-safe heights.

Knowing what a “flood-safe height” means for your home will rely on a number of different factors. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has mapping tools you can use to figure out where your home lies in relation to floodplain data. Once you know, it’s a good rule of thumb to make sure all critical electrical components inside your home are raised to at least 12” above that base. If your home is in an at-risk area, this might require the assistance of a professional electrician who can safely relocate features like 

3. Research important steps to take when in the middle of a flood situation.

The beginning of proper preparation for anything is research. When it comes to flood preparation, there are a few important things to know to make sure you can keep your home and family safe in case your waterproofing efforts fail. These things include:

• Where your home’s water main, gas line, and breaker boxes are. In an emergency flood situation you’ll want to be able to quickly disconnect power, gas, and water before they’re involuntarily shut. This will allow you to better control the situation when they’re turned back on.
• Where you can access a safe backup water supply. This can be as simple as keeping a few cases of water in your garage in case of emergency. Both during and after a flood, you won’t want to use your taps until the water has been tested and deemed safe.
• The things you will need in case of emergency. A small pre-packed emergency kit with necessary food, medicine, and first aid is good to have on hand in case of any unforeseen natural disaster. There are plenty of available guides on how to pack them, too.

4. Check whether or not your homeowners insurance covers floods.

In many cases, flood insurance isn’t included with basic homeowner’s insurance. If you’re concerned about potential damage to your home, we recommend looking into adding flood insurance to your policy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a variety of resources you can use to help you figure out the best policy or plan for you based on your specific needs and experience. This is an important preparatory measure since you can’t get flood insurance after your home has already flooded.

Too Wet for Comfort?

Has your home already flooded or received excess moisture? We’re so sorry to hear that. Our guide covering what to do after your home floods should help you recover and get your home back in tip-top shape. 

For anything else you might need when getting your space back to normal, get in touch with the team at Welter Heating. We’ve got your back.