How To Protect Your Home From Landslides

Landslides happen with little notice and they occur quickly. For you to protect not just yourself but also your family and valuable property, you have to look out for changes around your property which may signal a landslide that's about to occur. Some landslides happen because the soil loosens up from heavy rain. However, landslides are not entirely dependent on rainfall as they can happen even with little or no rain at all.

Just like earthquakes, landslides occur because of land instability. As soon as gravity overcomes the forces that are holding a plot of land in its place, the landslide starts. Typically, it consists of rocks, debris, and mud coming from a much higher area. Landslides are dangerous because what comes with them are hard and heavy materials. They could be soil, water, parts of houses, garbage, cars, uprooted trees… basically anything that is in a landslide’s path will become a part of it.

A landslide on a hill or mountain will only contain water, rocks, some trees, and earth. However, landslides that take place in cities are a lot more dangerous as they may include pieces of houses, bushes, and even raw sewage. Regardless of a landslide’s composition, it has the power to break down houses. This is why it is important for you to be prepared before one happens.

Below are some tips that we have compiled for you, so you know what to do to protect your home from the forces of landslides or debris flow. Keep on reading.

1. First of all, you should avoid building a home that is near a steep slope. This includes mountain edges, drainage ways, and erosion valleys.

2. If you have already bought a home and you have no idea if you are safe from landslides, contact the local officials to learn whether a landslide has already happened in the area. Remember that slopes where landslides have happened previously are most likely to experience the same disasters in the future.

3. The foundation of your home must be checked. Also, you have to have your property's ground assessed professionally.

4. Always rely on professionals for advice. A professional experienced in dealing with landslides knows the preventative measures you have to take for your home's safety. A professional, depending on your situation, may suggest that you have flexible pipe fittings installed as they are better at resisting breakage.

5. On slopes, plant ground cover and build retaining walls to protect your property.

6. Build deflection walls or channels to direct mudflow around buildings. However, this must be done by a professional because you might cause more problems if you choose to perform the task on your own. There have already been instances where homeowners were made liable for the damages that occur on a neighbor's property. The debris flow from your home should not be directed to another person's home.

7. By the time you find out that you are at high risk from landslides, contact your insurance agent immediately. Flood insurance policies may cover debris flow or landslides.

8. During a storm, you have to stay awake and alert. Hundreds of thousands of deaths from debris flows occur while residents are sleeping.

9. If your property is near a channel or stream, you have to be on the lookout for sudden changes in water flow. Such changes often mean that a landslide is happening upstream. Once you notice the decrease or increase in water flow, move out of your property instantly.

Take note of the tips listed above to increase your chances of preserving your property in the event of a natural disaster.