What do I do if my house floods? How to prepare and repair
By Melanie Fourie•Last updated Aug 18, 2023
Last updated Aug 18, 2023
Did you know that 90% of natural disasters in the country involve flooding? That’s according to the Insurance Information Institute. They also warn that homeowners’ insurance policies often don’t cover flooding damage.
Dealing with a flooded house can be dangerous, messy and costly to repair. Here's how to prepare for a flood and minimize the potential damage. We also included some tips for reentering your flooded home and cleaning up.
How to prepare your home for a flood
If you live in a region that gets heavy rain or tropical storms like hurricanes, it’s smart to prepare. Here are 13 things you can do to help protect your home from flooding.
1. Get a flood and leak alert sensor
Use smart water leak sensors or detectors to alert you when there’s a leak in your home. These sensors can also shut off your water supply before serious damage occurs. Install them in your basement and any other areas of your home that are vulnerable to flooding.
2. Install a sump pump in your basement
A sump pump can redirect groundwater away from your property through your pipes. Many homeowners install sump pumps to help prevent basements from flooding or leaking. Make sure your sump pump can run on batteries in case a storm causes a power outage.
3. Install backflow valves
The last thing you want is for sewage to backflow during a flood. This happens when flooding causes sewage to back up into your home through the pipes. It’s smelly, messy, and a health hazard. To help prevent this, the CDC recommends installing backflow valves or plugs in your sewer connections.
4. Waterproof and seal your basement walls and foundation
Take a walk around your home, inside and out, and identify the areas that may need sealing.
For example, if you see cracks in the foundation, use mortar, caulk, or hydraulic cement to fill them. You can also use waterproof paint to seal your basement’s interior walls and help prevent seepage.
5. Maintain your gutters and downspouts
Maintain good drainage outside your home by regularly cleaning splash pads, gutters, and downspouts. This helps roof rainwater flow away from your property, which can prevent leaks inside or flooding around your home. Make sure your stormwater drains are clear and working properly.
6. Improve your landscaping for runoff
If possible, adjust your landscaping so stormwater flows away from your home.
Consider adding a French drain, creating swales, digging a creek bed, improving your lawn’s slope, or planting a rain garden.
7. Move your furniture
Consider moving your furniture to the highest floor of your home, usually the attic or second floor. Otherwise, you may spend a lot replacing ruined couches, chairs, and tables.
8. Elevate your electrical system’s components
Raise electrical parts, including outlets, switches, panels, and wiring, 1 foot above flood level to help keep your home safe.
This is not a DIY-friendly task. Because of the complexity and potential danger involved, it’s best to hire an electrician for this work.
9. Protect your major appliances from flood damage
FEMA suggests raising heat pumps, water meters, and air conditioning condensers 1 foot above flood level to protect them. You should also elevate all the elements in your HVAC system, along with washers, dryers, and hot water heaters.
If that’s not possible, consider building floodwalls and shields. For example, some homeowners build a concrete floodwall with a shield around their hot water heater or furnace.
10. Anchor your fuel tanks
Flowing floodwaters can easily rupture and shift fuel tanks. That’s why it’s best to anchor outdoor fuel tanks to large concrete slabs. These slabs should be heavy enough to withstand the force of the water.
11. Purchase a rain barrel
Consider purchasing a rain barrel. These connect to your gutter downspouts to collect water dripping from your roof.
This not only helps direct excess water away from your home, it also gives you water storage. You can use the rainwater reserve to water your plants and lawns.
12. Install flood vents in your garage or crawlspace
According to FEMA, flood vents can prevent water pressure from increasing. Without these vents, the pressure could potentially damage your home’s foundation and interior walls.
You can install these vents in your garage doors. They stay closed until water touches them. Once they come into contact with water, they open to let water in and out, reducing pressure.
13. Use flood-resistant materials when building or remodeling
If you're building a new home or remodeling an existing one in a flood-prone area, aim to use water-resistant materials. This includes:
- Installing metal doors and window frames instead of wooden ones.
- Choosing ceramic tile, vinyl, or rubber for your flooring instead of wood.
- Using cement board, concrete, lime plaster, or properly treated wood for your interior walls and ceilings.
Tips for entering your home after a flood
There are certain things you should do when reentering your home after flooding:
- Contact your insurance company. Call your insurer to find out what their policy and process is if your home floods. Document all damage by taking photos and writing down notes.
- Be cautious. When your home floods, sewage or mold may contaminate it. Both can put your health at risk. If the risk seems too great, don’t reenter your home; contact the authorities instead.
- Wear protective gear. Put on rubber gloves, rubber boots, and goggles — especially if there’s still floodwater inside your home. Visit the CDC website for more safety gear recommendations.
- Bring battery-powered flashlights. Avoid using candles or torches for lighting.
- Switch off the power. Always try to shut off your power supply from an area that has not been flooded. If that’s not possible, contact an electrician in your area to turn off the power for you.
- Turn off the gas. The CDC also recommends switching off the primary gas valve if you think there’s a gas leak somewhere. Note that it’s unsafe to stay in your home if you suspect this. Call the authorities — the gas company, police, or fire department — immediately.
- Be careful when using generators. Check with your utility company to make sure you’re complying with electrical codes. The CDC also warns that having a generator on when your main electricity comes back on can be a fire hazard.
How to clean up your home after a flood
If it's safe to do so, you can clean up the damage the flood caused in your home. Some of these tasks are DIY-friendly; others may require a professional:
- Air out your home. Open windows and doors for at least 30 minutes to air out your house. This is also one step toward addressing possible mold issues.
- Remove standing water. Remove all traces of water, especially in your basement. You may want to use a wet-dry shop vacuum or a sump pump.
- Completely dry out your home. This may help prevent mold from growing. Open doors and windows, and use fans and dehumidifiers.
- Throw away damaged items. Get rid of contaminated furniture, toys, mattresses, carpeting, drywall, insulation, and anything else that is beyond repair.
- Service your HVAC. Have a professional inspect, repair, and clean your HVAC before you use it.
- Fix leaks. Have a professional inspect your roof, plumbing, walls, and other areas in your home for potential leaks.
- Deep clean your home. The CDC recommends using hot water and dish detergent to clean anything floodwater has touched. This includes flooring, countertops, walls, trim and molding, appliances, and more.
- Get rid of mold. If you see small traces of mold growth, use a water and bleach solution to clean it up. But if you have large amounts of mold, contact mold remediation services near you.
Pro tip: If you need to hire a mold remediation company, the CDC advises choosing a professional affiliated with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), or the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC).
Preparing for larger home repairs
Floods can cause major structural damage to your home. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to consider larger home repairs and improvements. For example:
- Did floodwater damage your walls and other areas? You'll want to consult a water damage restoration and clean-up company to help you repair your home.
- Is your flooring ruined? You may need to install completely new flooring.
- Did you have to throw out contaminated drywall and insulation? You’ll need a professional to install new drywall and insulation.
- Did your windows break during the storm? If so, you may need to replace them and consider getting hurricane shutters for added protection.
- Is your roof in bad shape? You may want to replace it with a stronger material.
Work with a professional to decide which areas of your home need to be rebuilt. As you plan the rebuild, consider choosing flood damage-resistant materials.
Find professionals to help with flood and disaster damage
Whether you’re looking for an electrician, HVAC technician, plumber, or roofing contractor, you can use Thumbtack to find a pro who can help you repair flood damage caused by a hurricane or tropical storm. Be sure to vet each professional by checking reviews, ratings, licensing, and certifications, and get several quotes before you hire someone.
A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
Visit the CDC, FEMA, and Red Cross websites for more information:
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