Rain keeps the grass green, the crops growing and the streams flowing, but it can be downright terrifying when it results in rising flood waters near your home. Never fear though, there are plenty of methods to mitigate floodwater these days. Below are 10 items that will help to keep your home and belongings dry.
Water-activated flood barrier
During a flood, you wouldn’t think that water could actually help protect your home, but that’s basically how water-activated flood barriers work. Think of them as self-inflatable barriers that come to life once they contact water. When this occurs, the water will absorb through the barrier material and activate a super-absorbent powder that swells and gels the water. The barriers will grow to a full size of 3.5 inches thick in 10 minutes. A 10-foot barrier will absorb 8 gallons of water and potentially block far more.
Large water-filled barrier
If you want a more permanent barrier for your home, then opt for a water-filled device. These look a bit like inflatable speed bumps at first glance, and they are extremely sturdy. The 24-foot barrier, when filled, weighs 2,425 pounds! At 12 inches in height (when filled) and constructed of durable PVC material, you are sure to have reliable protection for areas on your property such as garage doors and walkways that are prone to floodwater.
Absorbent sock
If you have smaller quantities of water puddling in your basement or other regions of your home during storms, try absorbent socks to control the moisture. These devices are designed to absorb up to 1.75 gallons of water per sock through highly absorbent polymers. They are not reusable, so think of them more as an alternative to using multiple rolls of paper towels or sacrificing a couple of bath towels to clean up the water that has infiltrated your home.
Absorbent mat
If you have a small leak on your roof that is causing water to drip into an attic or room, then an absorbent mat may be your best bet. At the very least, it will silence the annoying sound of seemingly endless drops of water landing in a bucket or a bowl. Even better, you can wring out these absorbent pads and use again during the same incident – just replace them before the next storm hits.
Traditional sandbags
Sandbags have been the universal go-to for blocking large quantities of floodwater for decades. Look for bags with a 50-pound capacity and some level of UV protection so they don’t deteriorate after prolonged sun exposure. Make sure to pick up a pack that includes the tie strings as well so you don’t have to deal with spilling sand while you are stacking the bags.
Advanced sandbags
If you want to level up your sandbag game, there are some advanced options. Heavy-duty, high-density canvas bags may be a good call if you are really looking to get multiple seasons of use from your sandbags. Additional helpful features include buckle fasteners (as opposed to string ties) and the ability to interlock multiple bags.
Sump pump kit
If you are dealing with a chronic flooding issue, then it may be time to consider purchasing a sump pump. A professional setup could effectively collect all the rainwater on your property via drains and underground pipes, which would feed the water into a basin where the pump would flush it from your property. They work wonders for those with basements that flood when the water table level rises as well. If that’s too big or expensive a setup, then consider investing in a portable pump to mitigate excessive rainwater from hurricanes and atmospheric river storms. A decent unit can pump over 40 gpm. If possible, purchase a device that can be turned on and off via an automatic float switch that will save you the hassle of turning the pump on and off yourself.
Flood protection tape
If you need a quick fix for a wall, pipe or gutter leak, consider a heavy-duty tape seal. This can, in essence, be your emergency fix for a job in which duct tape just isn’t going to cut it. A tape that verifies no water penetration through half-inch gaps at depths up to 2 feet for 14 days is a good call. Target a tape that is easy to remove after flooding events and that can be used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Rain boots
So far, all the items listed have centered on keeping your home dry, but what about you? You’re the one who has to set up all these products, meaning you’re probably going to get soaked in the process. Why not make this work a bit less miserable by purchasing some neoprene boots that will at least keep your feet from getting completely drenched as well? An anti-slip sole is a must for rainy days, while heat-resistant insulation that prevents radiated body heat from escaping is an added bonus.
Rain barrels
Rain collection barrels are a great way to cut down on rainwater on your property while also taking a bite out of your water bills. These barrels are generally placed at the end of rain gutter downspouts where they can essentially collect all the rainwater that flows off your roof during storms. Some states even offer rain barrel purchase incentives and tax rebates to encourage homeowners to harvest their own rainwater. If you want to test these waters, pick up a couple of 50-gallon tanks with built-in spigots that will allow you to hook up a garden hose and water your plants with some free water courtesy of that storm from a couple weeks back.
