Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the U.S. Recovering from it is costly and it can prove deadly for some. According to the data from FEMA, 99 percent of U.S counties have been impacted by a flooding event since 1996. While the average flood claim payout from the National Food Insurance Program in 2019 stood at $52,000.
According to FEMA, just one inch of water in your home can cost $27,000 to repair. So it is essential to protect your home from the costly impacts of flooding.
How can Flooding Impact Your Home?
A flooded home can be very difficult to repair. Sometimes the cost of repair exceeds the cost of moving. Flooding,
- Causes structural components of a house, studs and foundation, to shift or warp
- Tilted walls can result in a total collapse of the house
- High floods can damage the wiring, gas lines, furniture and appliances
- Particularly dangerous for houses with basement as the water can result in mold and the foundations cracking
- Often deposit microorganisms and dirt into the house
- Appliances, furniture, carpets may be permanently damaged and needed to be thrown out
How to prevent your house from Flooding
The best solution for flooding is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This can be done by staying vigilant and ahead of any impending natural disasters. Here’s a list of measures you can take to protect your house from flooding.
1. Stay aware of the Risk
First and foremost you have to evaluate how likely you are to suffer from flooding in your area. The higher the risk, the more prepared your house needs to be to withstand the flood. The FEMA Flood Map Service can be used to evaluate the risk. The Flood Map shows reports on a region’s flood history.
2. Determine the Flood Level of your house
Flood Level is the height to which water level can rise during a flooding incident. Ideally, your house should be built above that level. Also determine whether the floodwater will move towards or away from your home. Look for specific areas in your home which might be more vulnerable to water and plan accordingly.
3. Prepare your House to resist Flooding
Your house can be prepared for a flood by carrying out a few renovations and improving basic maintenance. Once you understand the risk and the flood levels, you can take the following measures to protect your house:
- Apply fresh coatings to your walls, windows and doorways to prevent flood water from leaking into your home.
- Safeguard your electric systems like sockets, switches, breakers and wiring by elevating them above the flooding level.
- Install Valves on all pipes entering the house as they prevent a flooded sewer system can bring sewage into your home. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recommends gate valves over check valves.
- Tilt your lawn away from your house so that the water doesn’t pool around your house. Make sure that the surface runoff takes the water away from your home.
- Install sump pumps for your basement so that the water can be swiftly pumped out of your home before it can incur any damages to the foundation.
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