Protecting your home from water damage is essential. But this process does not have to be challenging.
Start the process by looking at your home insurance policy. Read it and get to know what it covers.
You will find that flooding usually has limited or no coverage under most home insurance policies. That means you need to be proactive.
Take the following steps to protect your home from flooding long before the storm clouds form.
Check the Roof
Your roof is the primary source of protection for your home. It safeguards the structure below, and helps you stay warm and dry.
Have your roof formally inspected by a licensed professional. Look for signs of damage, leaks, and missing shingles. Repair these.
Be proactive, and ensure your roof is in good condition. It can help to reduce the likelihood of damaging leaks developing over time. This is extra critical, because most policies won’t cover damage sustained due to poor maintenance.
Also keep in mind, you likely will have to replace the roof in full every few years.
Get to the Gutters
When your home’s gutters work, they move water away from the home. When they have leaves in them or clogs, rainwater cannot drain properly. The water will fall over the edge of your roof instead, or gather along the siding. This creates rain runoff, including soil runoff.
This process will move soil away from the edge of your home and expose the foundation to the elements. If this happens, moisture can penetrate the home and cause further damage.
Protect your home against this fate. Clean your gutters at least several times during the spring, summer, and fall to ensure they work properly.
Check the Site’s Grading
Spring brings with it intense rain in many areas. This can create a drainage problem. Your goal is to ensure water can drain away from your home. That means the ground near your home needs to be higher than the ground away from it. If this is not the case, water can pool around your home’s foundation. This puts you at risk of foundation damage and water damage problems.
Sewers and Lines
Be sure your sewer lines are clean, too. You may wish to have a sewer cleaning service out at least one time a year during the spring or summer. This crew can flush the lines, removing roots and debris buildups. It can help to prevent storm water from rushing into your home, as well.
By being proactive, you can protect your home against many causes of flooding damage. Work with your Bozeman Insurance agent to learn if flood insurance is beneficial to you.
Posted Thursday, February 09 2023 2:02 PM
Tags : Flood Insurance
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