Many of us look forward to the end of winter and the warm spring weather that follows. Of course we must also recognize along with the melting snow, spring rainstorms, and warm sunshine is the increased threat of flooding. These are all a part of spring in the Midwest.
What about flooding?
Damage from spring flooding can be extensive and costly for the homeowner. If you have lived in your home for an extended period you are probably aware of any flooding dangers that can occur. Unfortunately, sometimes these things take you by surprise, and when you least expect it, you are under water. You don’t want to let this happen to you.
What can I do to prevent a problem?
There are a few precautions you can take in the late fall and early spring that will help prevent damage to your home and yard.
If your home is on a slope and you are prone to water in the spring, you may want to pay close attention to the ground cover as March rolls around. It is wise to keep a careful watch on the temperatures and how quickly the snow is melting. If the ground is still frozen solid, there is a better chance of water running on the ground surface and settling against the bricks of your home’s foundation. From there two things can happen, it can seep into the basement, or run off to a lower elevation of your property. If the amount of drainage becomes excessive it can also erode the soil causing severe problems with spring planting and perennials throughout your yard.
Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned in the fall to prevent a clog that might cause water to run over the drain spout, unevenly melting the snow from your roof, and eroding the ground below. If your home does not have an overhang or proper drainage to prevent ice damns from occurring, you may want to consider removing the heavy snow from the roof to save yourself a huge headache.
Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flood
While some types of water damage may be covered under your policy, Flood damage is not. Flood insurance is a special policy which needs to be purchased in in addition to your standard homeowners insurance policy. Normally flood insurance covers the cost to repair your home, and the cash value of the contents within the home should a flood occur.
Depending upon the area where you live, it might be wise to have our agency review your risk of flood, and take this into consideration when purchasing additional insurance. If you are not in a high flood risk area, but still have a concern, you can add additional coverage for much less cost than if you were in a high risk area.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. To ensure proper protection of your home and belonging, call and schedule a thorough review with your agent once a year to see if any additional coverage is needed. We are only a phone call away.