The Pacific Northwest is notoriously known for its constant and unrelenting rain during the cold winter months, and even well into the spring. Flash flooding is not an uncommon occurrence when heavy rainfall begins. Homeowners in the area should take notice and do what is necessary in preventing flooding in your home. Home flooding prevention also includes creating a plan should flash flooding occur to minimize any damages that may be a result. Take the initiative and begin home flooding prevention now. Preventing residential flooding is an inherent part of home maintenance and many aspects of it can be done on your own.

Home Flooding Protection

The following are tips in home flooding prevention and control:

• Disaster Supplies Kit: Create an emergency preparedness kit that will last at least three days. This kit should have basic household items you would need in the case of an emergency. Items in this kit should include first aid kit, non-perishable food, clothing, batteries, matches, water, mess kit, battery powered radio, and warm blankets.
• Emergency Plan: Create an emergency plan for your family. This plan should include what to do in case of separation, and how to reunite. All family members should be abreast to the plan.
• Flood Insurance: Consider purchasing home flood insurance. Homeowners insurance does not typically cover damages from flash flooding. Look into your insurance options, and seek flood damage insurance.
• Gutters & Downspouts: Inspect and clear out your gutters. Make sure downspouts are draining properly and redirecting water away from the home. Gutters that may be compromised need to be repaired or replaced.
• Indoor Drains: Regular indoor drain cleaning is a great tactic in preventing flooding in your home. Pay special attention to floor drains, as they tend to cause the most problems when clogged.
• Outdoor Drains: Clear out storm drains, French drains, and catch basins. Clogged outdoor drains often times result in flash flooding during heavy rainfall.
• Crawlspaces: Inspect crawlspaces to make sure they are sealed tight and securely shut.
• Sump Pump: If you do not already have one, consider purchasing and installing a sump pump. These pumps remove excess water from basements to help prevent flooding. If you already have a sump pump, be sure to keep up with regular manufacturer recommended maintenance.

Home flooding prevention is extremely important. There are many things you can do yourself to prepare yourself and your family for this type of emergency. The list above is not an exhaustive list however it is helpful in getting started when you begin doing things in preventing flooding in your home. For comprehensive home flooding prevention, call a reputable local plumber for assistance. A thorough inspection of your home for any flooding vulnerabilities is highly recommended. Having a professional on your side to help you and your family prepare for a flood is not only a good idea- it is a responsibility incumbent on homeowners in order to best protect their most valuable investment.

All plumbing systems age, and if you stay in one home long enough, chances are you will need maintenance and/or plumbing replacement services. Older plumbing systems are designed to last anywhere from 20-50 years, with newer systems engineered to last even longer. For superior quality home plumbing repipe services in the Portland, OR & Beaverton, OR areas, D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is here to serve you.

If you are unsure of the current condition of your plumbing system, give us a call and we will be happy to conduct a thorough inspection then provide recommendations to either maintain or repair your current system.  Below you will find a brief description of the factors that most influence the need for plumbing replacement or home plumbing repipe for your property.

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For those of us who like to conserve water AND save money, but not sure if changing out that old 3.5 gpf toilet would be worth the savings, or that 1980′s kitchen sink faucet is worth changing out here is the information you might be looking for:

National average $ per 1,000 gallons is $6.06 based on a family of 4

If you have an older toilet at 3.5 gpf and changed to a 1.28 gpf at an average of 20 flushes per day, your yearly savings would be $98.21 and 16,206 gallons of water!

If you have a faucet, basin or kitchen, that uses an average of 2.2 gpm and 32.4 gpm and replaced it with a 1.5 gpm faucet your yearly savings would be $50.17 and 8,278 gallons of water!

If you have a shower head that uses 2.5 gpm and replace it with a 1.5 gpm shower head, with an average use of 32.8 minutes per day, your yearly savings would be $72.55 and 11,972 gallons of water!

Your minimum total savings if all 3 were replaced with water saving devices would be $220.93 and 36,456 gallons of water per year.

If you want more information our good friends at American Standard have a wonderfully informative web site at theresponsibilebathroom.com.

All of the most up to date water conservation information you could ask for.
If you want to make those changes, call us!

Spring has sprung! It is time once again for that spring cleaning… don’t forget to check all of your fixture supply lines and shut off valves. It is always a good idea to turn your shut off valves that are under your toilet, sinks, washing machine, laundry tray (if you have one), then turn them back on. Check for any weeping, drips or leaks, make sure the valves turn on and off smoothly. You want the valves to work properly if you have to shut the water off in a hurry or for a simple repair. This is excellent preventative maintenance that most of us do not think about – until it is too late!

Have you ever had a late night plumbing emergency where you had water running from somewhere?… you could hear it but not see it? Did you run around like crazy in the dark trying to find it so you could stop any water damage before it got too deep? One sure way to stop any more water damage is to turn the water to the house off at the main shut off near the street. Trying to find a wrench, finding the main valve, laying on your belly and reaching down in the dark to find the shut off valve is not fun… Especially in the rain or snow. That is why every home needs to have a “meter key”. This will save you time, worry, and possible extensive water damage. Don’t you deserve some peace of mind? You can get these anywhere plumbing supplies are sold. Do yourself a favor and get one.