How to Prepare Your Commercial Property for a Flood

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

How To Flood-Proof Your Commercial Property

It is not uncommon to experience flooding in Park Ridge,IL, due to inclement weather. Thanks to technological advances in storm detection devices, it is possible to warn citizens where floods are more likely to happen. You can prepare in advance for floods by:

• Checking for flood zones before building
  Knowing the climate patterns in your area
  Watching for flood advisories and warnings
• Here are a few tips to prepare your commercial property for floods and prevent flood damage.

Clean the Gutters

Gutters keep your property safe from downpours by redirecting the rainwater away from buildings. Make sure the gutters are clean to prevent a small flood around your property. Debris, such as leaves, bird nests, and needles from pine trees can clog the holes in your gutters. This can cause water to accumulate around your property during a downpour creating a small flood that erodes and exposes the foundation of the building.

Design Your Building to be Flood Resistant

If you are building a new construction on or near a flood zone, design the building to be flood resistant. This can be done by designing the lowest story to be above the flood zone. You can also make sure installations such as furnaces and circuit breakers are elevated to prevent damages from flooding. 

Stack Sandbags Around Your Property During Flood Advisories

A way to increase protection from storm damage during a flood advisory is to stack sandbags against the property. Fill sandbags halfway and stack them as you would bricks. It is important that the sandbags are laid against the building that you want to be protected. Do not leave a gap between the building and the sandbags. This will create a puddle that erodes the foundation of your property.

If you have experienced flooding in your area and are in need of cleaning services, contact a water damage restoration service to aid in the cleaning efforts. Though a flood is not preventable, you can take steps to protect your property in times of inclement weather.