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Avoiding Mistakes in Heavy Rain: Safeguarding Your House and Basement

Severe rainfall leads to flooding even in areas distant from rivers, prompting authorities to update zone-risk maps. Learn ways to safeguard your residence and be aware of when your basement poses a fatal hazard.

,   and  Lauren Adams
3 min read
After the heavy rain: Firefighters and water rescuers wade through a flooded street in the Bavarian...
After the heavy rain: Firefighters and water rescuers wade through a flooded street in the Bavarian town of Wertingen

Violent Weather: Destructive weather system lashes out causing chaos. - Avoiding Mistakes in Heavy Rain: Safeguarding Your House and Basement

The house should be designed to prevent backups. This includes regularly cleaning the gutters to divert rainwater. The house should also be constructed to defend against the pressure of water.

Who Pays if Storm Damage Occurs

If the house is not protected against storms, damage can occur. In this case, it is important to discuss the matter with the insurance company. It is essential to read and understand the insurance policy.

Avoiding Disagreements with the Insurance Company

To avoid disputes with the insurance company, it is crucial to carefully read and understand the insurance policy. It is important to be aware of the exclusions. For example, it could be that the house is not protected against storms, but the insurance company does not cover this scenario.

Preparing Basement Windows

If basement windows are not protected, damage can occur. To prevent this, these windows should be covered with a protection film.

Regularly Cleaning Gutters

The house should be designed to prevent backups. This involves regularly cleaning the gutters to remove rainwater.

The Storm Entry Door of the Basement Garage

If the house has a basement garage, it is necessary to check the safety of the entrance door. If it is not sufficiently secure, damage can occur.

Checklist for Protecting Against Storms

  1. Communities inform about dangerous areas
  2. Short warning periods make quick action difficult
  3. Never step into a fully flooded cellar
  4. Prepare the cellar in time before the storm
  5. Secure the house against backups
  6. Who pays if storm damage occurs
  7. Avoid disputes with the insurance company
  8. Prepare basement windows
  9. Regularly clean the gutters
  10. Check the storm entry door of the basement garage.

Content

This text describes ways to prepare for storms. Various measures are presented that help to prevent damage. This includes being informed about danger zones, acting quickly, never stepping into a flooded cellar, preparing the cellar before the storm, securing the house against backups, discussing the matter with the insurance company, protecting basement windows, regularly cleaning gutters, and checking the storm entry door of the basement garage.

  1. Backflow flap or sewage pump: Ensure your house is equipped with a backflow flap or a sewage pump, which is usually a requirement.
  2. Maintenance of sewage relief system: Regularly check the functionality of the sewage relief system.
  3. No trash in the toilet: Prevent throwing trash in the toilet since it can disrupt the sewage relief system.
  4. Documenting the damages: Take photos and videos to document any damages.
  5. Documenting sewage relief system maintenance: Note down when sewage relief system maintenance is carried out.
  6. Cellar windows: Make sure cellar windows are leak-proof or have shutters.
  7. Cleaning gutters: Regularly clean gutters to prevent water from entering the house.
  8. Basement garages: Ensure basement garages don't serve as entry points for torrential rain.
  9. Safety precautions in basement garages: Avoid driving out of the garage when there's more than 10 centimeters of water on the garage floor.
  10. Insuring against structural damages: Make sure your insurance covers structural damages.
  11. Checking insurance policies: Ensure your insurance policies cover damages caused by torrential rain.
  12. Warnings from consumer institutes: Keep an eye on consumer institute warnings advising against certain insurances.
  13. High Water Competence Center: Inform yourself about the High Water Competence Center for more information about the dangers of torrential rain.
  14. Keeping yourself safe: Don't put yourself in danger during torrential rain.
  15. Ensuring all safety measures work: Make sure all safety measures are functioning to avoid damages caused by torrential rain.
  16. Researching resources: Learn about various resources that can keep you updated on torrential rain risks.
  17. Communication: Talk to others and share knowledge on the dangers of torrential rain.
  18. Being proactive: Take preventive measures to avoid damages caused by torrential rain.
  19. Taking preemptive actions: Implement preemptive measures to avoid damages caused by torrential rain.
  20. Reacting: React effectively when torrential rain occurs to minimize damages.

To protect your home from heavy rain, check your local community maps for the risk level. For a systematical approach to addressing potential vulnerabilities, consult checklists such as the "Weather Building Check" e-book (as a PDF) from Consumer Central and the information from the High Water Competence Center, which offers valuable insights.

References: Consumer Central, High Water Competence Center (HKC), Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (BMUV), tagesschau.de, Hessenschau, R+V

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