Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Importance Of Flood Insurance And Protecting Yourself From A Flood

Even though flood insurance costs money, it is worth having, as you never know if your home will be flooded. Besides flood insurance, you can also help keep water out of your home by installing a rain garden.

Flood Insurance

If you do not have flood insurance, you should consider purchasing it. Even if you do not live in a flood zone, there is still chance it could happen. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, approximately 20% of flood insurance claims are from homeowners living in a low risk flood area.


Even if you have homeowners insurance, it likely does not cover flood damage. This means if your home is damaged in any way from a flood the cost to make repairs will come out of your own pocket. It only takes a few inches of water to cause damage to your home.

If you have a flood in your neighborhood that the federal government declares as a major disaster, they will pay for damages. This is not always the case, however, so you should have a backup by purchasing a flood insurance policy (from outlets such as Insurance Service of Sarasota).

Rain Garden

A rain garden is inexpensive and does a good job managing storm water.  You should put the rain garden where water gathers in your yard. Do not put the rain garden near the foundation of your home to keep water away from it.  Where you put the rain garden should receive full sun.

Once you decide on the location for your rain garden, use a shovel to remove the sod. When you are finished, dig a depression that is about five inches deep. The outside edges of the garden should be gradually sloped to help the rainwater flow down into the garden. The garden should absorb the water within a few days.

You can also create a small fishpond, if you prefer. Dig another area close to your rain garden but make it deep enough for the fish. When you are finished, line it with plastic to retain the water.

Now it is time to plant your flowers. Choose hardy plants that grow well in your area. Consider the bloom color, bloom time, and height when choosing your plants. When you finish planting flowers, water them three times per week for two weeks so they can get established. After this time, the garden should need no additional watering from you.

If you need help with any of the plants for your rain garden or green roof, you should hire a landscaper. They can help you choose the right plants, as well as teach you how to care for them.

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