Storm Safety Tips
If you have further questions, call today and request an inspection with Flood Mitigators, a Houston drainage contractor at +1(281)-849-1082.
How do I prepare for a flood?
Regardless if you are our customer or not, we hope to provide helpful information and resourceful references to prepare for the next natural disaster as much as possible, to keep your family and property safe.
If you are unsure if you already have coverage for flooding, it is imperative that you clarify this with your existing provider. It is always better to confirm that your home is insured for floods, rather than making the assumption it will be covered under an existing policy.
- Get a FLOOD insurance policy. If you do not already have this coverage, you can purchase a policy by directly contacting a local provider in your area, or from the FloodSmart list. All flood insurance policies are price set and backed by the National Flood Insurance Program through the U.S Federal Government/FEMA, regardless of which provider it was purchased from.
- Know your flood risk. It is critical to have a thorough understanding of the risk exposure for your property. If you are unsure of this, you can use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center to lookup your address and review the details regarding the imminent dangers of flooding in your area.
- Take household inventory. Take photos and videos of all major household items and valuables. Retain these documents in a safe place such that if you ever have to file a claim, there is evidence of what was lost. This also includes keeping critical documents digitized or in a safe (and dry) location, such as birth certificates, medical records, insurance papers, etc. For more details, please review the NFIP Understanding Flood Loss Avoidance preparatory document, or visit their website at floodsmart.gov
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- Build an Emergency Kit. This should contain essential items like potable water, non-perishable food, portable batteries, a flashlight, and medicine. A guide for a full kit can be found on the Ready.gov website.
- Avoid contact with flood water, but DO NOT shelter in the attic. In the unfortunate event where water gets into your home, it is imperative that you preserve yourself and your loved ones by staying on high ground, and avoiding contact with flood water if possible. The attic should be avoided in all circumstances as there would be no point of exist if there is excessive flooding. The other dangers of coming into contact with storm water include, but are not limited to: potential electrocution, waterborne diseases, and risk of falling or possibly drowning. Always use extreme caution in these circumstances and stay away from storm water by any means necessary.
Causes of Water Stagnation
- Grading. If your home is negatively graded, then you’re at a higher risk of foundation damage, as rainwater will flow down toward your home instead of away from it. This is a consequence of natural topography that may have changed dramatically since your home was constructed.
- Neighbor Runoff. Your neighbors may not be intentionally draining rainwater into your property, but poor design and outdated building methods may be affecting your property now.
- Soil Permeability. Another cause of standing water in your yard could be the density of the dirt. Hard, compact soils and heavy, sticky clay soils are less absorbent and prevent surface water from seeping into the ground.
Unfortunately, 90% of Houston properties have clay soil, which makes permeability almost impossible, and as a result, it leads to even more flooding.
Hard subsoil. Hardpan is a thick layer of impervious subsoil. Hardpan can be naturally occurring, or it can be the result of construction equipment densely compacting yards and lawns that are then topped with a layer of topsoil, disguising the issue. Once water percolates down to the hardpan, it has nowhere else to go and begins pooling.
HFM System Benefits
- Our system can be installed in new construction or added to existing structures, making it a versatile option for homeowners.
- Our system is an effective solution for reducing flooding and risk of water damage to your property. It redirects water away from your foundation, preventing soil erosion and foundation damage.
- HFM Drainage Systems is cost-effective and requires minimal maintenance with an average lifespan of our of system being 10-15 years.
- Every system is customized to fit the layout of your
property and can be installed regardless of soil type. - Our system is inherently Eco friendly solution for managing water runoff and reducing the risk of flooding.
- Our system is aesthetically pleasing as we leave minimal detection of our presence on the landscape.
Standing Water Health Risks
- Insects: Various bugs like mosquitoes find pools of stagnant water as an ideal breeding ground to magnify population growth, and risk of carrying diseases like West Nile virus, Malaria, Zika virus, and Encephalitis.
- Algae: There is a high risk of algae blooming in pooling water, and some types of algae can produce harmful toxins, which pollutes local air quality.
- Vermin: Rodents like rats, mice, and possums are attracted to standing water for nesting and watering holes. This increases the possibility of diseases from animals to humans.
- Mold: Standing water saturates the floors and walls, this, in turn, can create support mold growth. Involvement of sewage or other contaminants in stagnant water catalyzes the possibility of mold growth. For instance, under favorable conditions and with clean water, mold requires a maximum of 72 hours to thrive. However, if contaminants are involved, it can thrive in 24 hours.
- Bacteria: Large pools of water make the perfect ecosystem for pathogens such as E.coli, waterborne viruses, and other bacteria that can cause severe illnesses for humans and pets alike.
Critical Property Damage
- Foundational Damage. Water can quickly compromise the structure of your home, leading to costly repairs that exceed tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A crack in the foundation can turn out to be deadly with a condition like standing water. Water can easily sweep in and the damage can go unnoticed until its too late. This is something that can seriously affect the structure of your property.
- Electrical Damage. Water can short-circuit electrical systems, leading to electrical fires and other related hazards.
- Appliance Damage. Flooding can also damage electrical appliances and equipment, leading to costly replacements or repairs
- Flooring Damage. Floodwater can damage flooring such as carpet, hardwood, and tile. Water can cause warping, cracking, and other forms of damage, leading to extremely costly damage. Stagnant water can slowly but definitely dissolve and deteriorate drywall, flooring, carpeting and cabinets.
Are you ready for the next storm?
Contact us to stay prepared, and ahead of disaster risk