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Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1499333
(StatePoint) — Many peo- ple look forward to spring when the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, but it also marks the start of the peak time of year for flash flooding in the United States. According to NOAA, 75% of flash floods happen between late April and mid- September. And while you may not want to think about it, when water backs up and overflows, it generally goes where it doesn't belong and can cause serious damage to your home. Unfortunately, many home- owners have misconceptions about floods, leaving them unprepared. Here are four of the biggest myths: 1. Homeowners insur- ance policies cover flood damage. A typical homeown- ers policy covers water dam- age from a sink or bathtub overflowing but won't help with flood damage caused by storms — something many homeowners only discover after it's too late. However, some insurance companies offer coverage to help fill the gaps so you don't have to pay out of pocket for repairs and replacements. For example, Erie Insurance now offers Extended Water coverage, which covers damage caused not only by natural disasters, but also by sewer and drain backups. 2. Only people who live in flood plains need flood insurance. A national sur- vey commissioned by Erie Insurance found that 53% of homeowners think only peo- ple who live in high-risk flood zones should buy flood insur- ance. However, 25% of flood claims are filed by people who live outside those areas. Additionally, FEMA says floodwater only needs to get a mere 3 inches high to make it likely that you'd need to replace drywall and base- boards. 3. There's nothing you can do to prevent flood damage. Nothing is fool- proof, but there are ways to protect your home from water damage. Install a sump pump along with a battery backup and regularly test it. Improve drainage around your home by clearing leaves and debris from gutters, storm drains and down- spouts. You can also install water sensors to alert you of water or leaks within your home. If a storm is on the way, plan ahead by placing valuables and sentimental items into plastic storage bins, moving items off the floor (especially if they are stored in basements and lower levels of a home) and by making a home inventory. A list of all your personal possessions, along with their estimated values, will help if you need to file an insurance claim. 4. Insurance can only help you after an incident. Many homeowners don't realize they may be able to get reimbursed for taking steps to protect their homes when flooding is imminent, such as for sandbags and the sand to fill them, fill for tem- porary levees, pumps or plas- tic sheeting and lumber used with these items, as well as labor. MAY 2023 HOME 7 4 misconceptions homeowners have about floods How to build a wooden trellis for your garden (StatePoint) — Are you dreaming about beautifying the backyard? Is your gar- den in need of some color and dimension? If you have the tools, a free weekend and the initiative, you can add charm and beauty to your outdoor space by building a garden trellis. Here's everything you need, and everything you need to know, to complete this "Done-In-A-Weekend Project" from Exmark, a leading manufacturer of lawn care equipment. Tools: ■ Table saw ■ Circular saw ■ Jig saw ■ Orbital sander, ■ Drill/driver and bits ■ Tape measure ■ Pencil ■ Sawhorses/worktable ■ Eye and ear protection Materials: ■ (3) 2-inch x 4-inch x 8- foot cedar ■ (4) 4-inch x 4-inch x 8- foot cedar posts ■ (2) 2-inch x 8-inch x 8- foot cedar (for the corbels) ■ (1) 2-inch x 6-inch x 6- foot cedar (side bracket/beam support) ■ (2) 2-inch x 6-inch x 10- foot cedar beams ■ (4) post brackets (option- al, to attach to wood deck) ■ 2.5-inch deck screws ■ 1.25-inch deck screws ■ Wood stain ■ Wood sealer ■ Wood glue Instructions: 1. Cut boards down to size for the sides, top trellis and corbels. 2. Assemble the side sec- tions. 3. Assemble the top trellis section by following the tem- plate found at backyard.exmark.com or by sketching your own design onto card stock. 4. Attach the top and sides of the trellis, ensuring the sections are square with one another. 5. Use the template to build the corbels. 6. Line corbels flush with the side posts and attach. 7. Apply wood sealer, and stain or paint (if desired). To download the complete instructions and template, and to follow along with the video tutorial, visit Exmark's Backyard Life site at backyard.exmark.com, a multimedia destination pro- viding homeowners with everything from grilling tips to gardening advice. StatePoint While this beautiful trellis is a bit of work, once complete, it can provide structure for vining plants to grow, create a bit of shade from the harsh summer sun or simply serve as a point of architectural interest in your garden.