Protect Your San Antonio Property from Flood Damage

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Located in ‘flash flood alley’, San Antonio is one of the most flood-prone regions in North America. The geography and terrain of this area are partially to blame. Heavy rainfall causes runoff to flow quickly downhill. When a large amount of water flows at high speeds, it becomes destructive and erosive. 

Most flooding events occur during the fall and spring, so with spring quickly approaching, it is more important now than ever to make sure your home is protected from floods. SERVPRO of Alamo Heights is here to help residents and business owners in San Antonio and surrounding high flood risk areas protect their properties from flood damage. 

What Makes ‘Flash Flood Alley’ Susceptible to Floods?

A combination of soil composition, geographic location, and steep terrain contributes to the high probability of flooding in this area of Central Texas. The soil here is rocky and rich in clay, so it is not able to absorb excess water during heavy rainstorms. The resulting runoff goes into the nearest stream, eventually causing flooding. 

Major storms pass through San Antonio and surrounding areas from the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. These storms combine with strong frontal boundaries from the Great Plains, resulting in heavy rain that falls too fast for the soil to absorb. 

Over the last 10 years, Central Texas has experienced over 500 flash flood events. Don’t let a flood catch you by surprise, take the necessary precautions to make sure you are prepared to protect your property.

How to Flood-Proof Your Property

There are several ways you can equip your property to prevent flood damage. The two main forms of flood-proofing renovations are known as wet and dry flood-proofing. Wet flood-proofing involves installing flood vents and sump pumps, while dry flood-proofing involves applying coatings and sealants. By taking the following precautions, you can minimize structural damage and restoration costs. 

• Install flood vents to alleviate the buildup of hydrostatic pressure on the walls and foundation of your property. This pressure buildup can cause structural damage to your home in addition to water damage. Flood vents work by providing an outlet for the water to flow freely through the foundation of your property. 

• Install sump pumps where flooding happens regularly. Sump pumps allow you to remove water from your basement or crawl space.

• Install check valves on your pipes. These valves will help prevent backflow from a flooded sewage system. These are extremely important as sewage water is full of harmful bacteria and contaminants.

• Apply sealants to your foundation, walls, windows, and doorways. This will help prevent floodwater from seeping through cracks into your house. 

• Direct run-off away from your property. During heavy rainstorms, make sure the runoff is directed away from your building to prevent pooling, which could eventually lead to leaks.

What to Do if Flooding Has Already Occurred

If water is already flooding into your property, don’t panic - follow these steps to protect your property:

1. Locate the source of the flooding and contain the water. If your flood is caused by something inside, you may need to shut off the main water line.
2. Turn off the electricity, but only if you can do so safely. Touching electrical components while standing in water can cause electrocution. If it is not raining, turn off the breaker panel outside your property.
3. Move rugs, furniture, electronics, and other valuables to higher levels to protect them from water damage.
4. Document any damage done to send to your insurance agent when filing a claim with your flood insurance provider. If you live in a flood-prone region such as San Antonio, it’s recommended to get flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
5. Call SERVPRO of Alamo Heights. We will use our advanced tools to remove excess water and dry your property completely. Our water damage restoration process will make it like the flood never happened.

If your property has been damaged by a flood, you can count on SERVPRO of Alamo Heights to provide reliable flood damage restoration. Our team is ready to help you get your damage repaired and return your property to its original condition.