Is your home one storm away from flooding?
Overflowing gutters, a backed-up drain, water pooling by the foundation: these are the early signs before a flood.
Three quick checks
Give each spot two minutes. These checks can flag a problem. They cannot prove your home is safe from flooding.
Find your main shut-off valve
Know where it is and keep the path clear. Ask a plumber if you cannot find it or do not know how to use it. Never force a stuck valve.
This valve can stop water from a burst supply pipe. It does not stop rainwater or sewer backup.
Check your basement or floor drain
Look for standing water, loose debris or signs of a recent backup. Clear only loose surface debris you can safely reach. If water backs up, smells like sewage or drains slowly, stop and call a plumber. Do not add water to a backed-up drain or use chemical drain cleaner.
Look at gutters and downspouts
From the ground, look for leaves, overflowing gutters, loose parts and water pooling beside the house. Downspouts should carry water away from the foundation. Leave ladder work and hard-to-reach clogs to a pro. Do not climb during a storm.
DIY or call a pro?
Do only what you can reach safely. A small check is useful. A risky repair is not.
Good DIY options
- Find and label your shut-off valve.
- Clear loose debris from an accessible drain cover.
- Clear leaves around a downspout outlet from the ground.
- Move stored items away from a damp spot, if it is safe and dry.
Call a pro for
- Repeat backups or sewage smells.
- A stuck or leaking shut-off valve.
- Roof, gutter or downspout repairs at height.
- Water entering through the foundation.
- Drainage, sump pump or backwater valve problems.
If water is coming in now
Keep away from floodwater and electrical equipment. Do not enter a flooded basement or try to switch off power while standing in water. For immediate danger, call emergency services.
Need a pro before the next storm?
City Works connects you with local providers for plumbing, moving, yard work and more. City Works is free for customers to use. No card or subscription needed. You pay the provider for their work.
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