There are ways to floodproof your home to comfort you and your loved ones after experiencing a flood.
As you repair and rebuild take these preventions into consideration.
They may save you from going through the agony of damages being done to your home again.
Getting ready can also help by giving you a sense of control over your future.
Here are some of the benefits to floodproofing your home: Floodproofing will save you the aggravation and money should you ever experience a flood again.
Cost is not a factor, as you would think it would be.
It is actually inexpensive.
There is financial assistance available that will help pay for floodproofing.
It will help to reduce the stress and anxiety that accompanies a flood.
The methods of floodproofing can be worked in while you repair which will reduce the cost.
It will improve your property and increase your property's resale value.
There are a number of things you can do to floodproof your home.
Take an active role in protecting your property from flood damages again.
Floodwalls keep floodwaters from reaching your home.
These walls are usually made of concrete.
These walls can surround the home or be built against the foundation walls.
They should contain internal reinforcing bars to add strength and help to keep walls from cracking and settling over time.
Berms are small levees usually built from fill dirt and act as a barrier against floodwaters.
These are used like floodwalls - redirecting water elsewhere - away from the home.
You need to check with your building department before building either floodwalls or berms.
There is a chance that the waters may run into your neighbors yards.
Therefore, these types of protection from your home may damage another.
Make sure you get permission first.
Dry floodproofing is sealing your home to keep floodwaters out.
These areas sealed are made watertight.
Special waterproofing plastic or rubberized sheeting is coated on the walls.
This type of protection can only be used of the walls are strong enough o hold back the floodwaters.
Dry floodproofing is not recommended if floodwaters are expected to be more than two or three feet above ground level.
Wet floodproofing is using building materials below the flood protection level that are resistant to water.
Floodwaters are able to come into your home to counteract the pressure of the water on the outside of your walls.
Appliances, water heaters, furnaces, bookcases...
anything that cannot be moved easily should be put on raised platforms.
Furniture should be able to be moved without a lot of Again, check with your building department before you make any type of floodproofing decisions.
There may be restrictions in certain neighborhoods.
Of course, any of these types of additions will cost extra as you rebuild.
However, you will be glad you took the extra precautions for you and your loved ones.
You will feel so much more at ease and safer as you settle in your newly repaired home.
There is a way to save on the additional costs of the "safety net" you plan to use to protect you and your family.
For added comfort, you can save on all the materials you need to purchase.
This will put money back in your pocket so that you may enjoy the extra safety precautions you took with satisfaction and peacefulness.
You will not only save today on the materials needed, but on many other purchases as well today...
and for the rest of your life!