How to Flood Proof Your Home
Around 40% of all natural disasters involving flooding – meaning it can happen anywhere and to anyone. And while the damage may seem minimal, floodwater can hide in many places around a home or property and quickly lead to long-term mold and mildew damage. This is why every homeowner and property owner should know how to best prepare for a flood.
Learn more about how to prevent flooding in homes and businesses, and how best to mitigate damage in high flood-risk areas.
How to Protect Your Home Against Flooding
Even a small amount of flooding in a home or business can result in thousands of dollars in damage. In 2019, the average flood claim payout from the National Flood Insurance Program was $52,000. Having a floodproofing and protection plan in place helps keep everyone safe and property damage costs low.
Here are some home flood protection tips:
Exterior Home Prep
- Maintain gutters. Regularly inspecting gutters and scheduling annual gutter cleaning will help prevent buildup that can prevent water from flowing freely.
- Apply flood-proof sealants. These sealants can help protect a home or business’s siding from wood rot or leaks. Additionally, sealants can be applied to windows, doorways, porches, decks, driveways, and sidewalks to prevent cracks or leaks into the foundation.
- Raise external (and internal) appliances. Protect all HVAC units, water heaters, and washing machines by elevating them on cement blocks.
- Direct downspouts away from the foundation. Make sure that all downspouts are pointed away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling at the corners of your home and then leaking inside.
Interior Home Prep
- Install a sump pump. A sump pump will help pump groundwater away from the foundation through drainage pipes. Floods often result in power outages, so having a battery-operated backup option will keep a sump pump working even without power.
- Install check valves. This will help ensure that sewage can only flow one way and therefore won’t result in a backup in case of a flood.
- Store items off the floor. It’s best to store any expensive or non-waterproof items off the floor year-round. But items like lawnmowers, rugs, sculptures, and books on lower shelves should all be moved to a raised position or higher shelf whenever a flood is anticipated.
- Seal foundation cracks. Regularly inspect for foundation cracks in the spring since winter temperature fluctuations and the freeze-thaw cycle can cause damage. Use mortar or caulk to seal smaller cracks.
- Protect important documents. Store and seal important documents in a waterproof storage container. But in case these items are damaged or lost, have all documents digitized beforehand for safer data recovery.
- Photograph items. It’s always best to be prepared by documenting all items in a home before and after a flood. Floods often happen unexpectedly, and there’s usually no time to move items to a safer location. This will help support an insurance claim and provide better restoration solutions.
- Review insurance policy. Take the time to review any insurance policies to check what is currently being covered and what needs to be added. Add flood insurance to the existing plan if it’s not already included.
- Prepare an emergency kit. In the event of a more severe flood warning, make sure everyone in the home or building has a clear emergency evacuation plan and kit to keep everyone safe. A standard flood emergency kit should include:
- Family and emergency contact information
How to Protect a House in a Flood Zone
For homeowners or property owners located in a flood risk zone, fully preventing flood damage is more difficult. Instead, here are some of the best solutions for how to mitigate flood damage:
- Know the severity of your flood zone. Know the base flood elevation level of your property to prepare for the severity of flooding. If the severity is high, a more thorough flood plan and protection solutions will be necessary.
- Install water runoff solutions. There are several options when it comes to water runoff solutions such as a downspout extension, rain garden, dry well, French drain system, catch basin, and more. Selecting the best option will depend on the property location, soil, and flood risk. Always consult with an expert first to determine what system would be best based on these conditions.
- Raise electrical units and outlets. This is a more invasive process, but one that may be necessary to protect the electrical system in a home or business.
- Install a flood alert system. This can be incredibly helpful in giving homeowners and business owners enough time to relocate items before a flood arrives.
- Install flood vents. Flood vents help prevent hydrostatic buildup by allowing water to flow more freely through an enclosure. Without them, the pressure that builds up from floodwaters is what leads to more severe foundational cracks and damage.
- Purchase flood insurance. The best overall solution for property owners in flood risk zones is flood insurance. Because it’s more difficult to fully floodproof a house or business in these high-risk locations, it’s best to have insurance coverage when damage does occur.
Related Content: Warehouse Flood Preparation Tips
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
It depends on the specific type of flood insurance you have. Most policies provide coverage for damaged:
- Foundational structures (walls, staircases, doors, etc.)
- Electrical and plumbing
- HVAC systems
- Major kitchen appliances (stove, refrigerator, other built-in appliances)
- Permanently installed shelving and cabinetry
- Carpeting
- Blinds
- Detached garages
- Well water tanks and pumps
- Solar energy systems
It’s also important to note that the cause of the flood matters. Of course, in the case of a natural disaster, flood coverage is usually provided. If the flooding is caused internally by a damaged plumbing system, coverage may be more limited.
Related Content: What Does a Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover?
Do I Need Flood Insurance?
Yes. Even with the best flood prevention tips, flood damage can still happen. The best way to protect a home or business is with flood insurance. This way, most structural damage can be restored, preventing excessive replacement costs.
What to Do After a Flood
Safety should always be the first priority after experiencing a flood. Check to make sure that everyone around is in a safe, elevated location and uninjured before proceeding with the following steps.
- Check for downed power lines. Be cautious of any fallen power lines. Standing water could be electrically charged and therefore dangerous to be near.
- Avoid entering flooded areas. In addition to the risk of electrocution, any flooded area could be contaminated with oil, gas, sewage, or other dangerous materials.
- Evacuate if you smell a gas leak. It’s possible that flood damage could result in damage to a nearby gas line. If you suspect a leak, evacuate the building and immediately call 911.
- Document damage. Without entering unsafe areas, document any damage in or around the property to provide to an insurance adjuster.
- Contact a restoration specialist. Your insurance provider can recommend a restoration specialist to handle property damages. For any specialty items like electronics, art, documents, or textiles in the home, contact Prism Specialties.
Related Content: How to Dry Wet Paper Before It’s Ruined Forever
Mitigate Flood Damage with Restoration Services
Floods often happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Preventing damage can be extremely difficult, but mitigating that damage doesn’t have to be. At Prism Specialties, we act with urgency and 24/7 availability to quickly and efficiently mitigate water damage and restore items to pre-loss conditions. Whether it’s damaged electronics, appliances, textiles, art, data, or documents, we have you covered. Call (888) 826-9429 or submit a claim online to get started.
