35 Ways to Protect Your Home From Flooding

According to Public Safety Canada, flooding is the costliest natural hazard in the country.

With overland flood insurance failing Canadians, protecting your own property is more important than ever. How can we prevent flood water damages?


Use these 35 tips to protect your property from expensive floodwater damages:



1. Raise your home on stilts or piers


2. Install foundation vents

  • This will allow flood water to flow through your home, rather than pool around it and relieves pressure on walls and basement windows. 


3. Apply coatings and sealant

  • Apply coatings & sealants to your foundation, walls, windows and doorways to prevent flood water from leaking into your house through cracks. 

 
4. Raise your electrical outlets and switches

  • All outlets, switches, sockets, and circuit breakers should be at least one foot above flood level in order to prevent significant electrical damages. 


5. Install check valves on your pipe

  • These valves prevent a flooded sewage system from backing up into your home. Tip: Gate valves are preferred over flap valves, since they provide a better seal. 


6. Grade your landscape away from the house

  • If your lawn tilts toward your house, rainwater is likely to pool around your home. Use a heavy soil that contains clay content and sand to adjust the grading of your lawn so that runoff empties into a street gutter.

   
7. Make space between your mulch and siding

  • Wet mulch can rot your house’s siding which may lead to leaks. A space between your mulch and siding will allow it to completely dry after rainstorms.   


8. Point your downspouts away from your home

  • If your gutter runoff is not pointing away from your house, expect water to pool at the corners of your house. This can cause basement leaks.  


9. Repair or replace your roof if shingles are deteriorating or missing

  • Prevent rainwater from leaking into your home through the ceiling. 


10. Elevate & anchor outdoor equipment

  • Safeguard outdoor property from floodwater damages.  

11. Seal up any cracks in your foundation

  • Mortar or masonry caulk can be used to fill in any foundation cracks & gaps. 


12. Buy a battery-powered sump pump

  • A great way to pump water away from threatened areas. Buy one that runs on battery power in case of power outages. 


13. Relocate your valuables to higher ground

  • Moving your valuables to the second floor will help mitigate damages. 


14. Install a flood sensor

  • These come standard on many home security systems and can detect small leaks before they become a big problem. 


15. Have sewer or septic line check valves installed

  • These protect against sewage flooding back into your home.  

16. Clear out all gutters and drains to maximize drainage water flow

  • This can help prevent water from pooling near your property. 


17. Utilize sand bags to block water from contacting your home


18. Use water-resistant barrier


19. Use airbrick covers

  • Airbricks provide underfloor ventilation. However, its imperative to seal them during a flooding to prevent water from flowing into your home. 


20. Install flood resistant doors and windows

  • Designed to withstand impact by water and debris, these handy devices create an effective water-resistant seal against floodwater.  


21. Dig trench drains and route to a sump pump in the basement

  • This can help minimize basement water damages. 


22. Install flood boards

  • Placing boards in front of doors can help minimize the impact of debris and high pressure flood water. 


23. Seal your floors with tanking

  • Prevents water from rising through the ground.   

24. Varnish your skirting boards

  • Seals up cracks and prevents rotting. 


25. Repair sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways

  • Cracks holes can cause flood water to pool near your property. 


26. Landscape your yard with plants and vegetation that will minimize soil erosion

  • By planting vegetation cover, plants slow down the flow of water by absorbing the surface water into the soil. Plant roots also hold the soil in place, preventing it from being washed away. 

  
27. In the winter, clear snow away from the home’s foundation.

  • Removing snow before it melts minimizes your risk of costly damages. You should shovel snow at least 3 to 5 feet away from the base of your home so snowmelt can drain properly.


28. Utilize window well covers

  • Prevents water from pooling and seeping into your basement. 


29. Ensure downspouts extend at least three feet away from your home

  • Make sure to point in a direction away from your home and towards a drain.

30. Use a rain barrel to catch runoff.  

  • Rain barrels are used to collect water from the roof and holds it for later use. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water coming from your house

31. Repair/replace your roof if shingles are deteriorating or missing

  • A weeping tile is a porous pipe used for underground water collection. It provides drainage for draining water that has accumulated at the base of the foundation.


32. Trim Overhanging Trees

  • In case of storms, overhanging tree limbs can damage your house and break windows. Therefore, trim them to prevent any further damages.


33. Mount high shelves for storing valuable items

  • In case of flash flooding, having mounted shelves can make a huge difference in saving household items.      

34. Install a flood-proof door

  • Flood-proof doors are a great way to stop water from seaping in through the entrance of your home  

35. Buy flood insurance and call the right Restoration firm.

And there you have it!  

35 great ways to protect your home from flooding.  If you’re looking for quick, easy and convenient flooding assistance, please don’t hesitate to call our 24/7 emergency response lines – @ Xtreme Controls – Your emergency is our priority!