The rainy season in Texas can be difficult to predict.  With sudden flare-ups of flash flooding and jumps between clear skies and hailstorms, dealing with a storm is less about responding to the weather forecast and more about general preparation for storms.  Still, in the event of a flood, as most residents are going to face one at some point or other, knowing how to respond to protect yourself, your home, and your belongings is essential.

Dealing with a Flood

We’ll start with the most urgent, what to do when your home is already being flooded.  Regardless of whether your home is being flooded by a burst pipe or excessive rain, the response is roughly the same.  The main difference is, if the flooding is due to a pipe, turn off the main shutoff valve first.  Then:

  • Turn off the circuit breaker to the flooded areas
  • Do not enter the water without protective clothing if a black- or grey-water line has broken
  • Use a shop-vac to begin pumping water out of the room
  • Remove water-logged items for drying immediately
  • Dry carpets, walls, and furniture immediately, seek professional drying services if needed
  • Have your home inspected for mold after the flood has been cleaned up and all areas are dry
  • Repair any damages to pipes, walls, roofing, or foundation

Once a room has been flooded, it’s a race against time to save as much as possible.  Especially during the rainy season it’s always a good idea to store valuables and items that cannot be replaced on high shelves where they’re less likely to be affected by flooding.  This kind of preventative step is essential to dealing with any kind of storm damage or flooding.  What follows are some other prevention measures you can take to deal with flooding before it starts.

Know Where Your Shutoffs Are

Make sure you know how to access all the water shutoff valves in your home.  The most important of these is, of course, the main water shutoff valve.  For any major leak or burst pipe, the first thing you should do is shut off water to the problem area, so know where your shutoff valve is located.

You should also remember to turn this valve off when you go on vacation.  First, this helps reduce water consumption if there are any drips or leaks.  Second, it will prevent an uncontrolled flood of water if something does go wrong while you’re out.

Appliance Maintenance

So many appliances in our homes use water.  The ice machine in your fridge, your instant coffee maker, the washing machine, and the dishwasher are all appliances with direct connections to a water source.  Ignoring basic maintenance for these devices and their connections is a recipe for disaster.  Water storage units like your water heater should be drained and the sediment removed regularly, while water hose connections (such as the one on your washing machine) should be inspected for signs of aging, wear, or seal damage.

Storm Doors and Windows

Damaged frames, loose weather-stripping, and sticky doors are all signs that it’s time to fix your home.  Sticky doors are usually caused by wood that swells due to higher humidity (or a cracked foundation).  When it comes to water ingress, making sure that your windows and doors are sealed against the weather is essentially.  Check the edges of each, making sure that both the frame and the door or window are making a firm seal.  Examine any weather-stripping to make sure it’s not worn away or damaged, and replace as needed.

Protect your Foundation

Always protect your foundation.  The concrete slab beneath your home needs some water in the surrounding soil to keep it from cracking, but too much water will lead to seepage.  Concrete is mildly porous and when water pools next to your foundation it will, eventually, find a way in.  Make sure that gutters are draining away from your foundation, that the ground is always sloped away from the edge of your home, and that bushes and flowerbeds are far enough from the edge to prevent water from pooling.

You should also take care of cracks in your foundation immediately.  Water will cause more damage if it’s able to enter your foundation and will eventually seep into your home as well.  Repair cracks and have your foundation resealed or lined to prevent future damage.


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