Flooding is one of the biggest and most dreaded home disasters for any homeowner. You could experience a flooded home at any time of the year. There are several things that can lead to a flooded home including a sump pump stopping, a large torrential downpour of rain, another type of natural disaster like a hurricane, heavy snowmelt, or just plumbing or an appliance bursting or failing.

No matter the level or type of flooding, it can all be a headache. Here are some tips to preventing a flood on any level in your home.

Ask if your home is in a flood zone

Not every home is going to be in a flood zone, but you may be surprised to find that the landlocked area you live in could still be in a flood zone. The first line of figuring out if your home is in an area that could be prone to flooding is to check with the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps. When you are purchasing a home a real estate agent can help you to find this information.

Will you need flood insurance?

There are some homes that will have a mandatory requirement of flood insurance being in their likelihood and high percentage chance of flooding because of their location. But sometimes even with a house that has a 1% chance of flooding you may still want some flood insurance. The largest provider of flood insurance is FEMA national flood insurance program. This is a good option for many homeowners, but the program does only offer a maximum of $250,000 to rebuild or repair a home, and a maximum of $100,000 to replace personal property. There are also private flood insurance providers that can provide higher limits of coverage. If a lender is requiring you to carry flood insurance, you will want to make sure that the type of insurance you plan to pick up is within your lender’s requirement.

Even if you do not have to carry flood insurance as a requirement, it may be a good idea to carry a small amount of flood insurance if your current home insurance does not cover any type of flooding or water damage.

Some floodproofing options

• FEMA has a few suggestions to help flood proof a home and make it easier for repairs should your home see some flooding at some point
• Replace all carpeting with tile
• Make sure that basement walls are sealed and waterproofed and consider installing a sump pump
• Opt for a flood resistant insulation and drywall in lower levels of the home
• Consider adding a sewer backflow valve as flooding can cause sewage to back up in drain pipes
• Check all caulking around windows and doors to make sure there is no cracking or broken or missing areas. Fill in holes or gaps around pipes and wires that enter a building as these are places where water can get in
• Make sure your home is elevated if it is within a floodplain. If a home is in a known area prone to flooding up to 10 feet high you will want to make sure the first level of the home is higher than the flooding level.

Some other measures you can take to help with the flooding is to make sure that your plumbing is in its best possible condition and that you are constantly checking appliances and making sure that they are well-maintained and in their best condition.

For more information on purchasing a home in the Columbus area please contact us anytime.