If you live in a flood zone, you will want to do all that you can to minimize flooding into your home. Floods can cause a lot of damage, and many people have lost their homes due to flooding. Even if your home has never flooded before, if your home sits in a flood zone, the risk is there. It is imperative to take steps to help to protect your home and the lives that are in your home.
Purchasing Flood Insurance
One of the first things that you should do is to purchase flood insurance. Even if you create the most floodproof home, it is still a good idea to have this type of insurance just in case the water does breach your home. In some cases, the area you are in may require you to have flood insurance before you are allowed to purchase the home. Ensure that you choose a good flood insurance company by reading reviews and checking out the company thoroughly.
Improve Your Landscaping
You can mitigate flooding into your home by landscaping your yard well. There are various shrubs that can help to stem the flow of water away from your home. You should also use gravel and brick that will help to keep flood damage to a minimum. It is a good idea to speak with a landscaping company that is experienced in creating a landscape that can help deal with floodwaters.
Elevate Your HVAC System
Many homes are elevated when they are in a flood zone, but that is not true for some older homes. Getting your home elevated is expensive and not realistic for many people. Instead of trying to elevate your entire home, consider elevating your HVAC system so that it does not get destroyed. Even a small amount of water getting into that system can cause damage. Call your local HVAC company to see about getting your heating and cooling system put on an elevated platform. If you have a boiler in your basement, you will also want to have it elevated.
Waterproofing Your Basement
If your basement is not waterproofed well, water can easily get in and flood. For example, if you have a basement window that is not sealed, when floodwaters come up, the water will just seep right around the window. If there are cracks or holes in your basement foundation, this can lead to water quickly getting in. Instead of dealing with this, you can waterproof your basement. There are many basement waterproofing products out there that you can use. If you do not want to waterproof your basement yourself, there are several companies out there that will come out and seal it for you.
Sump Pump Installation
If you do not have a sump pump installed, now is the time to get one. A sump pump can help to keep the water from coming into your house. Typically, it is placed at or near your crawlspace, and when water gets to the sump pump basin, it turns on and pumps the water away from your home. It is a good defense to prevent flooding.
Inspect Your Roof
When it comes to flooding, you often think that the floodwaters are going to come from the ground. You might do a lot of prepping for this scenario, and you forget one of the main parts of your home that could lead to flooding, and that is your roof. If your roof has damage, it can lead to leaks, and these leaks can quickly damage your home. In heavy rainfall events, your roof could even collapse. Check your roof periodically for any signs of damage. It will also help if you get a professional roofer out at least once a year to inspect your roof to ensure that there are no problems.
Sandbag Barriers
When you have a flood risk, you should have some sandbags ready. Sandbags will help you to put a protective barrier around your home so that the water is diverted. You will want to make sure that you put extra sandbags around your low windows and doors. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding a lot, consider having some sandbags stored in your garage. This can help you to be ready in case of a flood.
Floodproofing your home is the best way to ensure that you do not experience any flood damage. The more that you do, the safer your home will be.
