Flood warnings and flash flood warnings have become increasingly commonplace in Nashville and the rest of Middle Tennessee. And countless area residents have experienced flooding in and around their homes, with the Cumberland River, Harpeth River, Browns Creek, and the other creeks that wind through Davidson County causing the lion’s share of the water damage.
If your basement, crawlspace, or another part of your home has flooded and you need emergency service from a plumber or HVAC technician give Jewell Mechanical a call right away at (615) 469-5965. It’s not uncommon for water heaters and HVAC units to be damaged by flood waters, yet there’s much you can do to mitigate the damage and prevent it from occurring again in the future.
For example, a sump pump can be installed—either temporarily or permanently—to prevent damage to items in your basement (or to prevent water from accumulating in your crawlspace). Or an HVAC unit can be raised off the ground to keep it from being directly impacted by flood waters.
High water alarms may also be used to monitor parts of your home that aren’t easily accessible, like crawlspaces, basements, and the space behind washers, not to mention water heater safety pans and A/C safety pans.
Flood Preparation
If your basement or crawlspace hasn’t yet flooded but you’re worried about your home getting inundated by water from the heavy rains that have been plaguing Nashville, there are things you can do to limit the likelihood of water damage.
Three relatively easy things you can do to help prevent your home from flooding:
- Clear your gutters of sticks, dirt, and other debris
- Make sure your gutter drains are running away from the foundation of your home
- Check nearby storm drains and remove any dirt or debris on top or around the grates
At the same time, you might want to think about clearing your property of debris, stocking up on water and non-perishable foods, and making sure you have a plan for evacuating your pets.
Then, during periods of heavy rains, it’s imperative that you monitor the news and/or social media for weather reports, not to mention flood and tornado warnings.
What’s the Difference Between a Flash Flood Watch and a Flash Flood Warning?
It’s also a good idea to recognize the difference between a flash flood watch and a flash flood warning. The former means a flood or flash flood is possible, but a warning means that a flash flood is already occurring or is expected to occur soon.
What to Do if You See Water Rising in Your Home
If worse comes to worst and you see water accumulating and rising in your basement or elsewhere in your house, the first thing you should do is to cut off the circuit breaker to your water heater (if it’s electric) or to shut off the gas. (Shutting off the power to your water heater can limit exposure to electricity if the water heater becomes flooded.)
If you already have a sump pump, you will likely want to use it to pump water out of your basement or crawlspace. Then call Jewell Mechanical for assistance at (615) 469-5965. We can help you recover from a flood and repair or replace your water heater. Emergency service is available 24/7.