Flooding 101: 7 Important Things To Do To Protect Your Home

New Zealand experienced severe flooding in recent years. First Canterbury, Marlborough, the Auckland floods,floods,floods, followed by other parts of the North Island. As a result, Wrightway Construction has created this simple guide to prepare, and what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation.  In the event of a flood, your property’s safety is at risk. Take precautions beforehand to safeguard against potential damage, and learn what to do in case of an emergency here. For urgent repairs, or project management of your flood repairs,  please call  027 537 8636 Wrightway are flood remediation specialists.

How do you prepare your home for a flood?

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is important to take steps to protect your home. You can check flood zones for a city by visiting your local council’s website. Here is an example of Christchurch & Auckland’s flood zone maps.

Here are some things you can do to prepare your home for a flood:

1. Elevate your appliances and electronics.
2. If possible, elevate your appliances and electronics off the ground. This will help to prevent water damage if your home floods.
3. Install flood vents.
4. Flood vents allow water to enter your home without damaging it. They should be installed in the lowest level of your home, and they should be open during a flood.
5. Seal up any openings.
6. Make sure all doors and windows are properly sealed so that water cannot enter your home through them. You may also want to consider installing flood barriers around doors and windows.
7. Move valuables to higher ground.
8. If you have any valuable items in your home, such as family photos or heirlooms, move them to a higher ground so they will not be damaged by flooding waters.

New Zealand’s history of flooding

New Zealand has a long and varied history of flooding. From the early days of European settlement, when floods were often recorded in diaries and journals, through to the more recent river related floods in Christchurch, post-quake, and specifically in 2021’s where North Canterbury was submerged.

The first European settlers in New Zealand experienced a number of floods, with the most notable being the 1848 flood, which inundated much of the lower North Island. This was followed by a series of smaller floods in the 1850s and 1860s.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as New Zealand’s population grew and settlement spread into new areas, there were a number of significant floods. The most notable of these was the 1918 Flood, which affected parts of Otago and Southland.

More recently, New Zealand has been hit by two major floods. The first was the 2004 Flood, which caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure in Otago and Southland. The second was the 2021 Flood, which again caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure, this time in Canterbury.

While flooding can cause considerable damage and disruption, there are things that you can do to protect your home from flood damage. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the important things that you can do to protect your home from flooding.

What to do before the flood & during construction?

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is important to take some proactive measures to protect your home. Here are some things you can do:

• Elevate your home: If possible, elevate your home so that it is above the projected flood level. This will help to minimise the damage that your home sustains during a flood.
• Install a sump pump: A sump pump can help to remove water from your basement or crawl space in the event of a flood.
• Ensure your land has excellent drainage. Stress test your outdoor drains by purposely flooding your yard. Get a plumbing/construction specialist to construct a plan for easy drainage.
• Make sure your insurance policy covers flooding: Many homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods. Make sure you have the appropriate coverage in place before a flood occurs.

When it rains, what should you do?

Here are some things to keep in mind if rain is persisting and you’re worried your water levels are rising.

• If you see floodwaters rising, turn off your electrical power box, and evacuate immediately.
• If you can’t evacuate, go to the highest point in your home and wait for help.
• Don’t try to drive through flooded areas. Turn around and find another route.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Be careful when re-entering your home after a flood. Wear protective clothing and watch out for mold and other hazards.

7 Important Things To Do After The Flood

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is important to take steps to protect your home. Here are some important things to do after the flood:

1. Inspect your home for damage. If you see any cracks in the foundation or walls, water damage, or mold, it is important to have these repaired as soon as possible.
2. Check your gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are clear of debris so they can properly drain water away from your home.
3. Inspect your windows and doors. If there is any water damage around the edges of doors or windows, it is important to have these repaired as well.
4. Check for electrical damage. If any of your electrical outlets or switches were underwater, it is important to have them replaced by a qualified electrician.
5. Dry your home completely before commencing any construction repairs.
6. Take as many photos as possible for your insurance company, prior to starting the clean up.
7. Clean up any debris around your home. Flood waters can leave behind all kinds of debris, including mud, stones, and branches. It is important to clean this up as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to your home.

Summary

In the event of a flood, it’s important to act quickly, not only to protect your asset from damage but also afterwards to reach out for specialist flood help. You may have observed that in Auckland, the construction industry has been overloaded with repair requests due to the demand, and most builders aren’t equipped or experienced in flood remediation. What this means is that if you hesitate, you might find yourself in a long line before your property can be attended to. Wrightway Construction can assist in a moment’s notice with a 50+ team in Christchurch, Auckland and surrounding areas.