Owning a home by the water can have many benefits from stunning views to fresh sea air. Unfortunately, flooding can also be a risk, and it can cause huge amounts of damage if ignored. Taking precautions is particularly worthwhile if the area has a history of flooding – even if your home had never flooded while you’ve lived there. Below are just a few defensive measures that you can take to flood-proof your home.
#1) Set Up Solid External Barriers
Start by creating barriers between you and the water. If you’re lucky enough to have a property on the seafront with direct water access, think about measures like seawall construction. For rivers, canals and lakes options like bulkheads and riprap can have a similar impact. If water regularly breaches the bank and surges into your yard, consider whether you can add walls or plants to serve as a barrier or buffer. The key is to not sacrifice views with anything too obstructive.
#2) Divert Water Away
There could potentially be ways of diverting water away. Grading is recommended on properties near the water – this involves building a gentle downward slope leading away from your home. French drains and specially located channels can also be used to divert water. Just make sure not to divert floodwater into a neighbor’s yard.
#3) Improve Drainage
Drains can be used to divert water away, but it’s important that water doesn’t back up. When it comes to sewage systems, make sure to install non-return valves to prevent waste coming up out of toilets and sinks. In some situations, it may be worth paying to expand drainage systems. Consider also looking into technology like sump pumps to extract water from basements or crawl spaces.
#4) Use Water-Resistant Building Materials
If water reaches your home, you can prevent damage by protecting the structure with impermeable materials. This includes PVC membranes, cementitious coatings or finishes like lime plaster. Avoid carpets on the first floor of your property and switch to tiled or concrete floors instead. As for your kitchen, consider replacing wooden cabinets with options made from metal or acrylic. If you love the look of timber but don’t want to deal with rot and damp, consider exploring synthetic imitation wood for components like floorboards or cabinetry.
#5) Elevate Electrics And Utilities
Low-level electrical outlets may get damaged by floodwater. Consider raising these further up the wall so that you don’t end up with faulty electrics. Similarly, consider raising appliances onto plinths or hanging a TV on the wall. You should also consider the location of components like fuseboxes – a basement in a flood-prone home might not be the best location for this vital electrical system.
Considering all of these measures will help to reduce expensive repairs in the long run. How many of these precautions you should take depends on how high-risk your property is – if your home has flooded several times before, it’s worth going all-out with protective measures. If your yard has flooded but never your home, you may feel you can get away with focusing on your exterior.
