How to Protect Your Coastal Home from Flood Damage
The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Ida has every coastal homeowner thinking about how they can protect their property from flood damage. The best way to protect your home and possessions from sudden and severe storms is to carry out a range of preparations that can help reduce damage caused by floodwater.
We encourage coastal residents in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, and even those living near rivers in Pennsylvania, to assess the risk of flooding in their region and review their insurance policies. Many standard insurance plans do not include flood damage coverage, so you may need to add it through your provider or take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Now let’s review some of the best ways to minimize flood damage and water infiltration from inclement coastal weather conditions.
Inspect Downspouts and Gutter Systems
Downspouts are essential parts of your gutter system that guide rainwater away from the home. If water has no clear passage through the gutters, it gets trapped on the roof where it can pool and damage roofing materials. This can lead to water infiltration, which leaves your home vulnerable to possible mold and mildew growth if left untreated.
Before a storm, inspect your gutters for any blockages, debris, or damage. You also want to ensure your downspouts are pointed away from the home to prevent flooding along your home’s foundation.
Weatherize Your Home
Fortunately, the treatments used to weatherize your home don’t just prevent air and energy from escaping. These seals also protect your home from water infiltration. Weatherizing your home to protect against flood damage is called “dry floodproofing,” and it involves a series of measures to create a watertight seal starting from your home’s floor slab to the surface level or water level during a flood.
Some examples of dry floodproofing include applying shields to windows and doors or using sealants to reduce seepage of floodwater through walls. If you’re interested in these measures, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with FEMA’s resources about residential dry floodproofing.
Related Article: Protecting Your Home against Saltwater Damage
Install a Sump Pump
A flooded basement is any homeowner’s worst nightmare, but luckily there are ways to remove water from your home that don’t include heavy buckets of water and manual labor.
Sump pumps are an example of “wet floodproofing.” A sump pump is a device that measures changing water pressure to identify water accumulation and filter it out of the home. They are typically placed in a pit that’s constructed at the lowest point in the basement.
Related Article: How To Manage Home Damage before Help Arrives
Don’t wait for the next storm! Protect your coastal home from flood damage
Here at Advance Inc., we are proud to offer our communities and customers outstanding services and reliable resources that help protect their homes. Being knowledgeable about the environmental threats in your area is essential to preventing damage and protecting your property.
Considering ways to protect your home against flood damage? Contact us today to speak with a representative and explore how our services can help you.