No matter where you live in the US, there’s a good chance that your house is subject to flooding. In fact, you may not even know you’re at risk until the waters begin to rise, according to a recent study published in the Environmental Research Letters.
The study revealed that approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population is at risk from flooding along rivers, or 3 times more than the estimates when it was published in February 2018 based on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps.
All homes have at least some level of risk for flooding. In fact, every state in the US has experienced flooding over the past 5 years, according to FEMA. While many people think about coastal areas when it comes to tropical storms and hurricanes, the heavy rains can cause creeks and streams to overflow inland.
For instance, if you decide to buy a house out of the listed Charlotte houses for sale rather than get a place in Wilmington, you may not have to worry about powerful ocean waves, but flooding is still the No. 1 hazard in Mecklenburg County, so you’ll still need to protect your home to prevent it from getting flooded.
Tips to Prevent Flooding
Install Sewer or Septic Line Check Valves
The last thing that you want to have happen is sewage backing up into your home, which can happen if your sewer system gets flooded. To prevent this, install exterior or interior backflow valves. Gate valves, while a bit more difficult to operate, are better as they provide a better seal against the pressure of a flood. Make sure all pipes that enter your house have these valves to prevent sewage from getting in.
Ensure that Gutter Runoff is Pointed Away From Your Home
All of your downspouts should be pointed away from your home in the appropriate direction. If not, the water will pool at the corners, which can lead to leaks in the basement.
Get a Battery-Powered Sump Pump
A sump pump allows you to pump water out of your house, a great defense against flooding. But as storms often cause the power to go out, an electric one won’t be much use. By one that’s battery-powered instead. They’re fairly inexpensive, ranging from around $150 to $400, and could potentially save you a significant amount of money.
Raise Your Home
If your home is at high risk for flooding, consider raising it on stilts to raise the flood level. While it’s costly, it will significantly protect your home as even an inch of floodwater can do a lot of damage.
Seal Foundation Cracks
Be sure to close up any cracks in your foundation using hydraulic cement or mortar and masonry caulk. It won’t cost you much, and it will expand and fill gaps immediately. Don’t patch solely with cement or mortar as it’s likely to crack again.
Make Sure Water Will Flow Away From Your House, Not Toward It
The slope or grading of the ground can direct water toward your home or away from it. Obviously, to keep it protected from a flood, it’s better that water drains away from it. Check the grade of the surrounding soil, and if necessary, add more to achieve a slope that’s at least ¼” per foot. It should angle away from the foundation, toward your yard.