Although we are pleased to service any emergency flood that may occur in either a home or business, we would also like to provide some helpful tips on prevention and preparation for such an occurrence. Many floods that occur could have been avoided by following some of the suggested tips.

Most insurance companies DO NOT cover floods that are a result of a sump pump failure or a drain back up, however, some offer a rider to your existing policy which is relatively affordable. Check your home owner's policy and see if you have such coverage. If not, contact your agent and ask about adding this coverage or have your insurance broker locate a company that has "Act of God" type flooding as a standard part of the coverage.

If you have live in a home that is 5 to 10 years old or more, it is important to have your drains checked and possibly snaked out as per the recommendation of a professional plumbing company.

If there are trees in your yard, the root will eventually grow into the drain pipe, thereby causing a blockage that will not allow water to properly flow to the sewer.

If you have a sump pump that runs regularly, consider a back up system. Some plumbing companies offer a system that works off of water pressure in the event electrical service is lost. Test your sump on occasion by filling the sump hole with enough water to trigger the pump.

Be certain to turn off outside water spigots from inside the home for the winter season. These valves are typically found on the opposite side of the spigot inside the home.

Don't forget to have your irrigation system turned off and serviced in the fall of the year.

Inspect the hoses behind your washing machine, under sinks, refrigerator ice maker line, etc. These hoses are known to burst and cause flooding usually because of an inferior hose choice. Replace all hoses with "burst proof" ones that can be purchased at most big box hardware and lumber stores and are relatively affordable. The most common hose to burst is the hot feed line on the back of the washing machine. The poor quality hose is typically constructed of black rubber. The braided burst proof types are far less likely to fail.

NEVER run your washing machine or dishwasher when you are away from home!

NEVER leave your home for a vacation or even an overnight stay without turning off the water at the main shut off.

Valuable items that are stored in a basement such as photos, important documents, clothing, etc. should be placed in water tight containers or plastic contractor bags if they are near to the floor. Large Tupperware containers work well and are affordable. Consider putting other storage items on top of two by four wood or purchase inexpensive shelving units and allow for a water depth of 4 to 6 inches before any items are exposed to flood water.

NEVER leave your home for any significant amount of time without shutting off the main water valve into the home. The most damaging of typically occurs during the winter months when a pipe is frozen on the second level of a home and the home is unoccupied or the residents are out of town. This scenario is catastrophic, costing tens of thousands of dollars and often results in occupants having to move away from the home for an extended period of time during the repairs.