Is Your Contracting Workspace Flood-Proof? Here’s How to Tell

With springtime often comes flooding in California. Although you can guess where flooding is likely, it’s not always a guarantee that other places are safe. It’s tempting to let the rain flow and hope that it works for the best, but you may be setting up your business for disaster if you don’t take care of it now. Here are a few ways you can determine whether your workspace will be able to handle a flood.

Research Flood Zones
Decades ago, the federal government created the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides insurance opportunities for people who live in designated flood zones. If your business is located in one of these zones, you’re at a higher risk for flooding. As a general rule, insurance doesn’t cover flooding from the environment unless you specifically elect to have it. Now is a good time to evaluate your coverage, and determine if you need to improve it. If you work in a flood zone, see what the city is doing to help improve drainage during heavy storms.

Evaluate Drainage
Drainage is the best way to ensure that water that falls onto the property is able to vacate it. You might think that there are already systems in place to quickly remove floodwater, but you have to check on them from time to time. For example, the property’s plumbing probably has a sewer backflow valve. If the sewers fill with water, the backflow valve ensures that the water and sewage does not flow back toward the property. You’ll need to check its condition and upgrade it if necessary. This is also a good opportunity to consider installing a battery-operated sump pump for the basement of the building. Battery operation allows the pump to extricate water more quickly even if the power is out, to prevent water damage.

Inspect the Roof
When rain falls on the roof of your building, where does it go? For a lot of people, roof maintenance is something that they put off until they absolutely must deal with it. That means you might have clogged gutters and downspouts that point in the wrong direction. If you’re not sure of the condition of the roofing, a regular inspection is a good idea. A roof with missing shingles can lead to leaks and water damage during a storm. If the roof is in good condition, scheduled gutter cleaning at least twice a year. Clear gutters allow the water to run off to the downspout, leading away from the building.

Check the Property Grading
As a general rule, the grading of the property outside the building should lead away from the building. In reality, it depends heavily on the property. Ideally, rainwater would simply run downhill and lead to a drain. If your business is located near the bottom of a steep incline, that might not always be the case. It’s worth hiring a professional to evaluate and regrade the property, especially if you think that the land isn’t set up for drainage and will flood the building. Don’t wait until a really wet spring leads to flooding to find out.

Consider Proximity to Waterways
Even if you’re not located in a floodplain or a designated flood zone, it’s still a good idea to consider your proximity to waterways. It doesn’t take much for a river to overflow. Sometimes, deferred maintenance at the municipal level puts your business at greater risk. If your location has a history of flooding or seems likely to become a problem during periods of heavy rain, it might be worth thinking about moving. Relocating your business to higher ground could be a simpler solution than you think.

Keeping your business dry and ready for work helps you finish projects more quickly, even when it’s wet outside. For more information about starting your career in construction, contact CSLS today!