Prevent Flood Damage

9/6/2016 (Permalink)

Prevent Flood Damage

Not too long ago we saw some major flooding in the Franklin County, MO area during the Dec 2015 flood. Since floods and flash floods can occur anywhere, all homeowners can benefit by making sure their homes are prepared.

Retaining Walls

Residential retaining walls are generally meant to hold soil in place and prevent erosion. When properly placed and designed, retaining walls can also deter flood water and protect your property. However their cost is well of $5,000 and this can be an issue for many homeowners; unless you have experienced a lot of flooding. 

Clean Your Gutters

On the cheaper side of preventing water damage and flooding is gutter cleaning. Gutters, though often overlooked, can be a great benefit but only if they are properly maintained. Gutter systems are designed to carry water to an area where it will create the least damage. Clogged gutters, however, don’t just perform poorly, but also have been linked to erosion, basement flooding, and even foundation damage. 

Permeable Paving

Conventional asphalt and concrete pavement blocks water from naturally seeping into the ground. To counter this effect, consider using permeable pavement, paving stones, or grass pave. If you really want to save some money and reduce runoff at the same time, skip the paving all together and opt for gravel fill instead.

Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are basically the last line of defense against excess water. When ground water rises to a critical point, a sump pump begins to divert that water away from your home where it won’t harm your property. While installing a sump pump is not an infallible defense against flooding, when precipitation threatens property damage, the investment could end up being worth it.