Even if you face a relatively low risk of flooding, it can still impact your property. Just a minimal amount of water entering your home can cause massive damage to fixtures, as well as furniture and other belongings. While having flood insurance in place mitigates the cost of damage, there are steps you can take to avoid issues altogether. 

How to Safeguard Your Home Against Flooding

1. Install a Sump Pump

Sump pumps are invaluable if your home is prone to basement flooding. These devices efficiently remove excess water, whether caused by rain or the overflow of a nearby body of water. There are many types of sump pumps available, but look for one that has a backup battery or generator attached. This will allow you to clear out the basement even when the power is out. 

2. Flood-Proof Foundations & Walls

If your home is like most others, you have many vulnerable areas where floodwater can break through. In many cases, you may not be aware of these vulnerabilities until after flooding has occurred. Applying waterproof sealants to multiple areas of the home, including the foundation, walls, doors, and windows shores up any cracks and keeps excess water outside.

3. Make Sure Downspouts Are Pointed Away From Your Home

Along with preventing ground-level flooding, you should also take steps to stop water on your roof from making its way into your home. Your gutters are integral in this case, but they’ll only work efficiently if your downspouts are pointed in the right direction. If not, water from the roof will pour down the side of your home, where it can make its way inside through gaps and crevices. 

While taking the above steps can spare you a lot of stress, you should still have the proper insurance protection in place. K.L. Smith Agency LLC in Willimantic, CT, has provided a variety of protections over the last 62 years. Along with offering comprehensive home insurance policies, they also assess your flood risk and determine whether coverage is right for you. And because they’re an independent agency, they’ll shop around to find the best policy for customers throughout Greater Willimantic and Eastern Connecticut. Call (860) 423-9294 for more information or visit their website to learn more about home protection.