How to Prevent Home Flooding

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Whether it’s from a heavy rainstorm or a river overflowing its banks, just one inch of water inside your home can cause serious damage. Learn how to prevent home flooding as much as possible.

Importance of flood prevention

The risk of flooding is constantly increasing due to climate change. That’s why protecting your home against flood damage is more important than ever.

Owning a property is the largest investment most people make in their lives. So why not take measures to prevent costly water damage? After all, even relatively minor damage, like a wrecked hot water heater in your basement, can cost thousands to fix or replace.

Homeowners insurance does not typically cover damage caused by flooding. If you want coverage for flood damage, you’ll likely have to buy a separate flood insurance policy.

How do you know if you live in a high-risk flood area?

If you’re buying a home, ask your realtor if you live in a flood zone. A flood zone is a geographic area that’s at risk of flooding from nearby bodies of water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines flood zones and creates maps to help people understand their flood risk.

You should also find out if the property has ever been flooded. If your realtor doesn’t know, try asking the neighbors. Another piece of information worth investigating is your area’s expected flood level. This is how high the water is expected to rise during flooding.

How to floodproof the inside of your home

As a homeowner, there are several steps you can take to prevent flooding inside your home—or at least minimize the damage a flood may cause. Here are some steps you can take.

Waterproof your basement

If you have a basement, seal any cracks in the foundation with mortar or hydraulic cement. You should also clear any floor drains of obstructions.

Install a sump pump

Consider installing a sump pump in your basement. A sump pump is a device that removes groundwater from the lowest point of a home—usually the basement—to the outside of the home through drainage pipes.

Install flood vents

Flood vents are permanent openings built into your foundation walls and other enclosed areas that allow water to pass into or out of a home. While they can’t prevent water from entering your home, they can help prevent structural damage.

Use flood-resistant materials

Installing materials that have a very low water absorption rate can help minimize damage caused by flooding. These materials include concrete, closed-cell spray foam insulation, pressure-treated wood, and ceramic tile.

Install a sewage water backstop

In some areas, flooding can cause sewage to back up into your home. If your basement floor drain backs up after heavy rains, consider installing a sewer backflow valve. Make sure you consult a licensed plumber first.

How to floodproof the outside of your home

Here are some steps you can take to help floodproof the outside of your home. Remember to consult construction professionals before making any significant changes to your property. Your insurance carrier may be able to recommend local experts.

Seal cracks and gaps

Check caulking around windows and doors to make sure it is intact. If it’s cracked, broken or missing, replace it right away. You should also fill any gaps around pipes and wires that enter your home.

Direct water away from structures

If you have a single-family home, point your downspouts away from your foundation. Make sure your lawn slopes away from your home, too. You can also collect water in rain barrels.

Floodproof walls

Add water-resistant exterior sheathing on walls and seal them to prevent shallow flooding from damaging your home. Cover openings below the expected flood level and seal all exterior openings around pumping equipment.

Convert your driveway

If you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, you may want to convert it to gravel or brick. It is an expensive step to take, but it will help water drain around your foundation.

Set your home back

If you’re building a new home, make sure it is located away from shorelines and other bodies of water. If possible, build on higher ground. Talk with an expert who can help you identify the best location.

Elevate your home

Make sure that your home’s lowest floor is above the expected flood level. If it isn’t, you might need to elevate your home above flood level using stilts or piers.

Ways to minimize flood damage

These tips may not stop water from entering your home, but they will help minimize the amount of damage a flood can cause.

• Store valuables safely – Store valuables and important documents in waterproof or water-resistant containers above your home’s known flood level—preferably on an upper floor. Make copies and store them online or offsite.

• Elevate your utilities – Furnaces, water heaters, electrical systems, boilers and central air-conditioning units are all are vulnerable to flood damage if they’re located at the lowest level of your home. Consider bringing them to higher ground, either by moving them to another floor or putting them on platforms.

• Replace carpeting with tiles – Tiles are more flood-resistant than carpet. Using tile or other flood-resistant materials in finished basements and lower floors can help reduce water damage.

• Secure yard items – Loose yard items such as patio furniture and grills can be damaged by floodwaters. They can also be swept into your home, causing further damage. Secure these items by anchoring them or attaching them to more substantial structures.

• Anchor fuel tanks – Anchor any fuel tanks to the pad to prevent them from tipping over or floating in a flood. Spilled fuel could become a fire hazard. Make sure vents and fill-line openings are above the expected flood level. This may require permission from your fuel provider.

If a flood happens, is there anything I can do to simplify the claim process?

Perhaps the best thing you can do is document all of your personal belongings ahead of time. Try creating a detailed list of the items in each room and, if possible, their brand, manufacturer, model number, age and condition.

Better yet, you can also take photos of high-value items and film a video walkthrough of your home to document its contents. Finally, be sure to keep any documents that prove the value of the items. All of these steps will help when you file a claim with your home insurance carrier.

Buying flood insurance for your home

Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. That’s why, if you live in an area prone to flooding, buying a separate flood insurance policy is a must. Even if you live outside a flood zone, you may want to consider a flood policy, as many flood insurance claims are made by people who live in low-risk areas.

You can buy flood insurance from a private company or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Private companies, such as Neptune Flood, typically provide higher and broader coverage options. For example, an NFIP policy does not provide optional coverages like Temporary Living Expenses, Pool Repair and Refill, and Loss of Rental Income.

Other flood protection coverages

Standard homeowners insurance policies only cover certain types of water damage. Fortunately, you can buy extra coverage to maximize your protection.

Water or sewer backup

This optional insurance coverage protects homeowners who file water damage claims caused by overtaxed sump pumps. For example, if a sump pump fails and the resulting water damages the finished flooring in your basement, water backup coverage may pay to replace the flooring to the stated limit—but not the pump itself.

Mold coverage

Another potential byproduct of water damage that may not be protected by homeowners insurance is mold. Mold may not be covered if has been in plain sight and you did nothing to address it, such as on a bathroom wall or ceiling. On the other hand, if the mold is hidden from view—such as behind a wall or under your floor—then your policy might pay to repair the damage.

To obtain additional coverage for mold, ask your home insurance carrier if you can add an optional mold endorsement to your policy.

Special personal property

Your standard homeowners insurance policy only protects personal property for specific causes of loss, or perils. These causes are listed on your policy. The special personal property endorsement—also known as open peril coverage—expands that list to include many additional causes.

For example, if your computer is damaged by water from an ice dam, you’d likely be out of luck with a standard policy. But if you add the special personal property endorsement, your belongings may be protected.