Flood and water damage: 6 ways to reduce your risk

How to prepare for flooding

Florida, with its coast that refuses to quit, is the capital of flooding in the United States.

According to FEMA, floods are also the most costly natural disaster in America. If you own a Florida home, you should protect yourself from flooding and water damage.

Six steps to reduce your risk.

1. Calculate your floodplain area and the risk of flooding

FEMA has graded the risk of flooding in each area on a map. Enter your address in to find out your flood designation. Then read about what each flood zone is.

If your zone designation begins with A or V, then you have a moderately high flood risk. Zone B and the shaded X are at moderate risk of flooding, while zones C and the unshaded X are at low risk.

You can determine the or "base flood elevation", based on the designation of your area. This is a measure that, in practical terms, indicates how high the water will likely rise in the case of a major flooding.

2. BFE: Move water-sensitive equipment up above it

You can protect your most valuable possessions by taking steps once you have an idea of how high the floodwaters are likely to rise. You can elevate and secure everything from your TVs, computers and backup generator to concrete blocks. Check your switches and electrical outlets. All outlets and switches should be at least 1 foot above the flood level.

Although it is possible to raise an entire house using piers and pillars, the cost of doing so can be prohibitive. Installing water vents can help water to flow through your house (rather then rising up inside), or you could seal external walls in order to prevent water from entering. New buildings in communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that have a BFE must meet certain specifications depending on their flood risk.

3. Upgrade your valves

Even if the storm does not drop enough rain to flood your home it can cause damage to your home if your sewer backs up and flows into it. Install a gate or backflow valve on each sewage pipe connecting to your house. These valves keep water flowing outwards.

FEMA estimates installation costs between $600 to $1,400. This is a reasonable price considering that one inch of flood damage can cause up to $27,000 in damages. ).

4. Maintain your property to a high standard

You may have experienced water damage from a roof leak. Take care of your property to minimize the risk of water damage in any weather.

• Clean your gutters. Hang them securely on your roof.
• Check the position of your rain spouts. Ensure that they are positioned in a way to drain water away from you and your neighbor's houses.
• If your roof needs to be repaired, do so. Although a new roof can cost thousands of dollars, it will prevent water damage that could amount to tens or even hundreds of thousands. Some homeowners insurance companies offer reduced premiums for a newly installed roof.
• Fix sidewalks and drives. A crumbling infrastructure around your home could cause water pooling around it. Check to make sure that old concrete and asphalt isn't creating an access point for water into your home.

5. Reduce damage by landscaping

Water can seep through your foundation into your basement, whether it's due to a sudden flood or bad weather. Landscapers can minimize this risk by using a variety of techniques, such as:

• Slope your yard away. You will need to find the high and low spots on your property, and add dirt in order for water to flow away from your house.
• Mulch is used in gardens to absorb rainwater and keep soil in place. To prevent the mulch from rotting, leave some space between it and your house.
• Don't mow too short. The roots of grass absorb water to reduce flooding.
• Add drainage to your driveway. Paved drives can't soak up rainwater as well as your yard, so it is important to give water somewhere to go. This can be done with a trench or channel drain.

6. Consider wet floodproofing

The majority of these tips are about dry flooding proofing, which is essentially keeping water away from your home. You can also use wet floodproofing, which allows water to enter enclosed spaces. Wet floodproofing maintains an equilibrium between water inside and outside your home. This reduces the risk of foundation cracks.

It sounds crazy, doesn't it? Wet-floodproofing techniques like sump pumps and foundation vents are fairly common.

You should be aware of a few important cautions if you choose this option. Wet floodproofing is only to be used for non-livable spaces, such as crawlspaces. Wet floodproofing is not a good option because it's expensive to clean and repair livable spaces. Cleaning aside, wet floodproofing doesn't mitigate any other flood risks such as damage caused by flowing water, flood-borne debris, or contaminants.

7. Contact your county

Standing water around your home or on your sidewalks after even a small storm could put you and your neighbours at greater risk of flooding. Many counties are paying special attention to water management. Contact your county (look for the planning or water services department) and ask them to take action to improve drainage in your area.

8. What to do in a flood

It's crucial to prepare for the possibility of flooding. But it's also important to know what to expect once water levels are rising. You should take the following actions if a flood is imminent:

• Sandbags can be used to block the floodwaters.
• Place electronics and valuables on higher floors.
• Turn off the electricity.
• Secure heavy appliances and furniture that could cause damage.

Check your homeowners insurance

Water damage is not covered by standard homeowners' insurance policies. Your policy should cover water damage caused by a leaky dishwasher that damages your floors.

Basic policies do not cover floods caused by storms or other external causes. You should check with your agent if you are not sure what coverage your policy provides.

You'll need flood insurance if you live in an area at high risk of flooding (in certain parts of the US, it's a requirement for obtaining a mortgage).

You may still be able get a lower rate for your insurance if you follow the steps we have outlined because some insurers reward risk reduction with lower rates.

Flood risks are increasing everywhere

Climate change has made the more severe storms of recent years the new norm. A new study estimates that by 2045, 40 percent of Florida's properties will be " Highly Exposed". It is important to act now to reduce your risk of flooding.