Taking better care of your home's outdoor drainage systems is one way to keep severe flood damage at bay. Ensuring you have adequate flood insurance is just as important, and so is having a sump pump and a well-sealed foundation. Following these water damage prevention and flood mitigation tactics is now more important than ever, as you, like many other Americans, could be at risk of the disastrous effects of inundation.

Indeed, a Yahoo article notes that 99% of counties in the U.S. have already experienced floods. Without a direct, more proactive home flood protection plan, your house is at risk of rising (and intruding) water levels.

What Does Flood Damage Mean?

Flood damage is the harm caused by temporary inundation resulting from rising water levels, such as those that occur during heavy rains and storms. It can take the form of:

  • Structural damage, such as fractures in walls and foundations and physical destruction caused by the impact of debris carried by fast-flowing water
  • Damage to personal property, including furniture, electronics, appliances, and vehicles
  • Economic damage, which covers both direct and indirect financial and monetary losses
  • Compromised health and safety, as floodwaters can cause drowning incidents, illnesses, and injuries

Sadly, flooding incidents are becoming more common due to severe, accelerated climate change.

From changes in rainfall and temperatures to alterations in land use and floodplain development, all these are factors that contribute to rising flood risk. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) even notes a study projecting the financial impact of flooding to reach $11 billion by 2050.

Does Insurance Pay for Flood Damage?

It depends on the type or source of flood. Standard homeowners insurance policies won't cover or help pay for flood-related storm damage repair or replacement. You need separate flood insurance for these incidents.

Your homeowners' insurance will only cover flood damage if the source is within your property, and the cause is unforeseen and accidental, not intentional.

Suppose one of your plumbing pipes froze and burst due to a sudden, dramatic drop in temperature. Because it's not your fault (and you have no way of predicting or controlling weather), your homeowner's policy will likely cover the plumbing-related flood damage you incur.

What Are Some Simple Ways to Prevent and Mitigate Severe Flood Damage From Wreaking Havoc on Your Home?

An inch of water flooding an average-size home is enough to cause damage worth $25,000 in clean-up and repairs, as noted by Boston.gov. With that kind of money at stake, there's no better time than now to implement the following flood damage mitigation and property protection tips.

Keeping Outdoor Drainage Systems Clean and in Top Condition

Ensuring your outdoor drainage systems are clean and working properly allows them to do their job of routing rainfall and storm runoff away from your home.

Keeping your gutters, downspouts, and other outdoor drains clear matters to local municipal sewer systems, too. Properly disposing of debris that could block your drainage systems (like trash, twigs, leaves, and dirt) means you're keeping them from clogging up your area's public sewers.

The less blockage that happens in the sewers, the less likely they are to become overtaxed, back up, and add to rising water levels.

Having Adequate Flood Insurance

Securing adequate coverage should be one of your top priorities before the next storm hits, whether you're looking for a policy designed to cover FL locals or flood insurance NY residents can rely on. Although it won't stop storms, nor will it prevent your home from getting flooded, it can still protect your assets by acting as a financial shield.

With sufficient coverage (and careful attention to its limitations), your flood insurance policy should help you recover, restore, rebuild, or replace covered property you may have lost during a flooding event.

Investing in a Sump Pump

Collecting water in a pit, sump pumps are basement flooding solutions that protect these low areas in a house. They then pump the accumulated water away from the house's foundation, preventing it from rising any further and causing serious water damage.

As helpful as they are, keep in mind that sump pumps should only be one part of your comprehensive flood damage mitigation and prevention plan. They work best when paired with other practical solutions, such as outdoor drainage maintenance and foundation sealing.

Sealing Your Foundation

Having a properly sealed foundation means you've made sure it has a continuous, protective barrier that blocks outside moisture and water from seeping in.

Applying waterproof sealants and liquid rubber coatings to porous concrete is one way to seal your home's foundation. Another is to seal cracks and joints with epoxy or polyurethane.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Damage Can a Flood Do?

Aside from the physical, structural, and financial damage that flooding incidents can do to your home and bank account, they can also cause a serious mental and emotional toll. The effects can be even more pronounced among people who've been in life-threatening situations, such as extremely high flood levels and flash floods.

Individuals who've had such traumatic experiences may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an anxiety disorder. Even just light rain can already trigger their fears or worries.

How Dangerous Is It to Live In a Flood-Damaged House?

Because a flooding incident can cause severe damage to a home's structure and systems, living in a house severely damaged by one can be very dangerous.

Occupants may find themselves at risk of mold exposure, for instance. Exposure to mold can trigger or contribute to a host of health conditions, including allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

Possible electrocution and infectious diseases are other risks of living in a home with unaddressed flood damage. Injuries caused by flood-induced structural deterioration (such as floor or ceiling collapses) are other real and serious threats.

Protect Your Home From Severe Flood Damage

If you take the time to maintain your outdoor drainage systems, invest in a sump pump, and seal your home's foundation, you can cut your risk of experiencing severe storm-related flood damage. Having enough flood insurance is just as important, as it can serve as a protective financial net in case you suffer from significant flood-caused losses.

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This article was prepared by an independent contributor and helps us continue to deliver quality news and information.

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