What to do Before, During and After Heavy Rain

Rain can be helpful to the environment, but a heavy rain can be a reason to worry- it can cause serious damage.  Heavy rain doesn’t just affect your home; it can also wreak havoc on your property. Fortunately, there are things you can do before, during and after heavy rain hits to protect your home and your property from any possible damage.

Before Heavy Rain Hits

Protecting the outside of your home is the first step when preparing your home for heavy rain. Walk around the outside and review these areas:

• Roof: Inspect your roof for any areas of concern such as missing shingles, sagging, or aging. Make notes of any areas that may need further inspection. If you have a chimney, don’t forget to look over it for any cracks or missing tiles.
• Gutters: First, remove any debris or leaves from your gutters to allow your gutters to collect and funnel water from the roof away from your home. Clogged gutters will cause water to overflow resulting in all types of problems for your home. Also, check to make sure your gutters aren’t broken or leaking.
• Doors & Windows: Securely shut all doors and windows in your home and check their seal. If your doors and windows do not properly function you will want to have someone further inspect those areas.
• Outdoor Equipment: Bring inside any lawn furniture, gardening tools, and lawn mowers. If you have an outdoor grill, think about investing in a waterproof covering to protect it from the elements.
• Sump Pump: Install a sump pump, it is responsible for moving excess ground water from the inside of your home to the outside. So, if your basement begins to flood, it should prevent extensive damage from occurring. You may opt for a battery backup sump pump system so that electrical power failures don’t cause your sump pump to fail. Also consider installing an alarm so you can be notified of the loss in power to your pump. Your sump pump should be tested annually.
• Backwater valve: Install Backwater Valve. This device prevents city sewers from backing up into your basement plumbing fixtures.
• Low- lying areas: Is there an area of your yard where water continuously pools? More importantly, is that area close to the foundation of your home? If you answered yes to either of those questions, your best bet is to contact a landscaping and drainage specialist to assess the area. If you let your home’s grading deteriorate, it’s only a matter of time before water will find a way into your

During Severe Storms

Once the storm hits, there’s not a whole lot one can do while the rain falls.

• Remain inside and avoid traveling unless it is absolutely necessary. Be aware of flash flood warnings.
• Be updated and watch weather reports on local television or radio news channels.
• Stay away from windows and doors as they can be blown in due to heavy rain and intense winds.
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment and cords, and do not take a shower, do the dishes, or put in a load of laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity as well.

After the Rain has Passed

• Continue to listen to weather reports on local television or radio news channels to see if there are more severe storms or heavy rain coming your way.
• When walking outside, be careful where you step as there could be broken tree branches or items out of place.
• Survey the outside of your home to make sure there is no damage.
• Stay away from any power lines that may have fallen.
• Never drive through a flooded roadway – turn around, don’t drown!

Make Sure You Have the Proper Insurance Coverage

Sometimes, water still finds a way into your home no matter how many precautions you take. If it does, should you consider purchasing Flood Insurance. Remember, your homeowners policy doesn’t automatically include flood insurance. Flood insurance must be purchased as a separate policy, either privately or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Typically, there’s a mandatory waiting period before it will go into effect (30 days for policies purchased through NFIP).

Not sure you have the right coverage? Then talk to an insurance expert like ONYX Insurance Brokers. We can offer you more options and help you get a free quote customized in accordance to your needs. Contact or email us now!