For those of you living in and around the Denver area, you know that we occasionally see our fair share of rain. Fortunately, we live in a beautiful state that often has idyllic weather – so it can catch us off guard when we see rain as we have in May 2023.

When the sun comes out, we often forget to prepare for the occasional major flooding. However, it’s important to stay on top of protecting what is often your biggest asset: your home.

Maintaining Your Home

Prevention is usually the best way to prepare – that’s why it’s important to take measures before the first raindrop falls. Here are a few things to keep in mind (and take care of now so you’re not bailing water out of your basement):

Keep your gutters clean

The first step to preventing basement flooding is to ensure that the water flows away from the house. That means that you need to make sure your gutters are clean and free from blockages. Be sure to clean your gutters twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This will help to ensure that the water flows away from the foundation and towards the drainage system.

Maintain your foundation drainage system

Make sure that your foundation drainage system is in good condition and working correctly. This system collects the water from the foundation and moves it away from the house. Check for any damage like cracks and leaks and repair them before the rainy season arrives. If necessary, consider installing an additional drainage system to help move water away from the foundation.

Install window well covers

Basement windows are particularly susceptible to flooding, especially if they’re below ground level. To prevent water from seeping in, consider installing window well covers. These covers protect the wells from debris, heavy rainfall and stop the water from entering the basement through the windows.

Check your sealing and grading

Sealing and grading are crucial in maintaining a dry basement. Check the sealing around pipes and water lines in the basement and ensure there are no leaks. When it comes to grading, ensure that the slope of your yard moves the water away from the house. The ideal sloping gradient should be around six inches for every ten feet.

Be prepared with a sump pump

Even with all the preventative measures, water may still find its way into your basement. A sump pump collects water and pumps it away from the basement. It’s a wise investment to save your home from water damage in case of flooding. Ensure that your sump pump is well maintained and checked regularly to prevent any malfunctioning.

Understand Your Home Insurance

Most homeowners think that their standard home insurance policy will cover them for natural disasters like floods and they are mistaken. Flood insurance is not a part of the regular homeowner’s policy, and you will have to purchase it separately. This coverage will protect you from water damage caused by external factors like heavy rains, overflowing rivers, and other natural calamities.

Every flood insurance policy is different, and it’s important to know what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. Flood insurance policies usually come in two parts: building property coverage and personal property coverage. The first will cover the damage to the structure of your home, and the latter covers your personal belongings like furniture, electronics, and other items.

 

We know that when the sun is out the last thing you want to do is think about a flood – but what’s even worse is scrambling to call your insurance company while trying to get water out of your home because you weren’t prepared.

If major repairs need to be made to your home in order to keep it dry, talk to your financial advisor. We’re here to help you with any major financial decisions and give you options for funding things like maintaining your home.