Tips to prevent damage caused by flooding
What can homeowners do to manage and possibly minimise damage due to flooding?
For the past couple of days it’s been pouring with rain, and while we so gratefully welcome it, there is some flooding here and there.
Because the weather can be as harsh as it is unpredictable, here are some tips to help you prepare for and prevent damage.
According to Attie Blaauw, head of Personal Lines Underwriting at Santam, “It is well-documented that large parts of South Africa’s urban environment do not have enough areas that allow water to soak into the ground. During heavy downpours, water tends to pool and it often heads off in the direction of least resistance as a result of hard surfaces such as paved driveways and pavements.
“Most walled homes with poor drainage face problems with water build-up which can often compromise foundations. This in turn, can cause residential walls to sag and in extreme cases, collapse. Collapsed walls could cause further damage to your property, vehicles or even people.”
What can homeowners do to manage and possibly minimise damage?
• Clear gutters and drains. If your home is on a slope, make sure that the water outflow is unrestricted. Speak to your neighbours if water has to pass through their yard
• Move furniture, electronic equipment and valuables out of harm’s way or possibly lift them off the floor
• Shut off the electricity at the main distribution board
• If you’re using sandbags, ensure that cloth is installed between the layers. The cloth becomes saturated and forms a plug in between the bags thereby not allowing the water through.
Renovations that could be done to avoid future damage from flood waters
• Make sure that the electrical points, plugs, fixed heaters and even wiring are at least 300mm above expected flood levels
• The slope of your property can direct water to or from your house. Observe where the water accumulates and flows. Where possible, place drainage grids at the catchment points with better and deeper drainage ports. Make sure that the runoff from the roof gets to the street as quickly as possible.
• Those with large flat gardens that don’t direct or drain water adequately can install a perforated 110mm pipe. The pipe must be seated into a bed of gravel buried 350–450 mm below the worst areas. This allows easy absorption and is very cost effective.
Homeowners are encouraged to assess the measures in place to protect their properties and can speak to their insurer to assist.
More tips on preventing damage to your home or vehicle can be found by visiting the Santam blog at www.santam.co.za/blog.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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