If you’re in a flood zone, you’ve probably already done some research on flood-proofing your home. However, if you live in an area that has only recently begun experiencing floods, you may be worried. It can be scary to think of losing your home or having your property damaged beyond repair. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the destructive force of a flood in your home.
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1. Know Your BFE and Your Coverage
If you live in a flood zone, you’ll want to know what your Base Flood Elevation is. FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, assigns a BFE number to every home in a flood zone. This number determines how high, in feet, base flood water should rise on your property if a 100-year flood event occurs. That information will help you decide how much flood-proofing you need to do.
It will also guide you toward how much insurance you need. That’s right. Homeowners’ insurance is important for everyone who owns a home. But it is especially crucial for anyone who owns property in an area prone to natural disasters. You’ll want to get a home insurance quote to be sure you have the right flood coverage for your area and property. That way, if a disaster causes irreparable damage, at least you have something to fall back on.
2. Switch to Waterproof and Flood-Resistant Flooring and Walls
It’s not a great idea to have wall-to-wall carpet in your home if you live in a flood zone. Carpet is lovely to walk on, and it offers great soundproofing. It also absorbs water and can lead to excessive mold and mildew damage to your entire property. So, if you have carpet, it’s time to make the switch to tile, which will stand up much better to water damage. You can always lay down area rugs for a cushioned feeling and a bit of insulation from loud noises.
While you’re replacing flooring, take a look at your walls as well. Yes, it’s a much bigger project, but installing flood-resistant drywall and insulation can save a ton of money in damages. These systems often allow you to open them up and release any trapped water. They also hold up well to sitting in standing water and can be cleaned and sanitized after flooding. Taking this step can end up preserving the bones of your home in the long run.
3. Seal Cracks and Holes
A smaller project you can take on over time is sealing up cracks and holes in and around your home. If you live in an older house, the property may have shifted over time, and wear and tear may have had an effect. Walk around your home, inside and outside, and look for cracks and holes that offer entry points to the interior of your home. Equip yourself with caulk and weather-stripping and fix one spot at a time.
Check your windows, doors, and vents for any signs of air coming through. If air can get in, water most certainly can. Start with your basement, if you have one, as that area is most likely to flood during an event. Once you’ve covered the most obvious entry points, you can move on to sealing up any gaps or holes you find around wires or pipes. While water may still get in during a major flood, at least you can minimize the potential damage.
4. Elevate Your Utilities
If you have a particularly low BFE, that means your home is one of the most likely to experience flooding. In this case, you may want to elevate your utilities to above the BFE line of your home. Most utilities are set on or even under the ground. This reality means flooding can cut your power, access your waterways, and even cut off your gas lines. Even if the power goes out during a flood, you may still protect your utilities and appliances from long-term damage.
To avoid having to replace HVAC systems, fuel tanks, and other utilities and appliances, consider relocating them. You can have a separate storage building adjacent to your home to store these items. Alternatively, you can build a platform above the BFE and securely attach these large appliances to it. Then, in the event of a catastrophic flood, these large items will ideally remain in place and suffer minimal damage. They’ll be ready to use once you’re back home.
5. Consider Flood Vents
Finally, flood vents should be a consideration if you have a particularly low BFE. Yes, it’s a major job to take on for your home, having flood vents installed. But, it’s worth it in the long run if a storm does strike. Flood vents will allow any water that does come into your home to flow right back out again. Once the flood waters recede, water will not sit in your home, damaging your foundation and walls.
You’ll need a licensed engineer to come into your house and install flood vents up to code. But you may not need many. Often, two or three vents in your garage or basement will suffice to relieve the water pressure buildup. Further, depending on your area, you may need to install flood vents to get flood insurance. The last thing you want is to have great homeowners’ insurance only to find out floods aren’t covered.
In the end, flood-proofing your home is more than a nice project to take on to improve the property. It is often essential to protecting the livelihood of your home, often your biggest investment. It can determine whether you receive flood insurance from your carrier and save you thousands in damages. Some of the steps are small and simple, and others are costly updates. When looking at the big picture, all of them are likely worth it.
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