Here’s How to Flood-Proof Your Home

Flooding in your home can come from many sources, both internal and external. These include everything from burst pipes and clogged drains, to faulty roofing or full-on area flooding. Even a small amount of water can cause serious damage to walls, ceilings, floors and household contents. Here’s some effective flood-proofing steps you can take to protect your home.

Water Detectors

Water leak detectors (also called water sensors) should be considered an investment rather than an expense. They can save you thousands of dollars in damage in the event of a flood and also reduce your home insurance. Traditional water leak sensors would sound an alarm when water is detected—which works only if you’re at home to hear it. Today’s smart water leak detectors can alert you to any leak with a notification sent to your mobile device. 

Simply place leak sensors near any areas prone to leaks or flooding such as your washing machine, sinks and toilets, as well as around your pipes and sump pump. If anything greater than a minor spill happens, you’ll find out immediately whether you’re at work, on the road or anywhere out-of-home. Water leak detectors can also be integrated with your smart home through a central hub allowing you to add thermostats, motion sensors and carbon monoxide detectors for full 360-degree home protection.

Sump Pumps

If your home has a basement or crawl space, you should probably have a sump pump, or at least a portable pump. This is especially true if you live on a flood plain or an area with a high water table. A sump pump sits inside a basin or pit in your basement and is designed to collect water from any kind of flooding and discharge it safely outside.

There are two main types of sump pumps:

Submersible pumps are the most powerful. They are able to pump out a high volume of water including small solids. Residing completely below the water, a submersible sump is relatively quiet when operating. 

Pedestal sump pumps are ideal if your home has a crawl space vs. basement. The pump basin in a crawl space is usually shallower and better suited to a pedestal pump because the motor sits above the water.

Water-Proofing Your Roof

Inspecting your roof for faults can prevent leaks and help avoid pooled water from freezing or overflowing down into the foundation. Here’s some essential maintenance tasks and tips: 

• Check your roof at least once a year for cracked or missing shingles and faulty flashing 

• Clean your gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris every spring and fall to prevent blockages 

• Inspect the gutters for any cracks or sags 

• Make sure your downspouts extend at least three metres away from the foundation 

• Install rain barrels under the downspouts to avoid pooling and to collect water for outdoor irrigation 

• Install insulation in your attic to prevent ice dams from forming on the roof in freezing weather

Flood Vents

Flood vents or "flood gates" are designed to reduce structural damage from flooding. These openings allow water to pass into or out of your home’s foundation walls. This may seem counterintuitive, but in a flood situation, if the inside and outside water pressure can't equalize quickly enough, it can cause serious damage. This includes blowing out doors and windows, damaging the foundation, or even collapsing the home. If the flooding is inside your basement, flood vents will allow the water to exit before reaching the upper floors. Contact a professional contractor to discuss installing flood vents in your home.

Weather-Stripping Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are the weakest points in your home, so sealing and strengthening them is essential. Worn caulking and torn or compressed weather stripping won’t provide a tight seal, allowing water to seep inside. Check the spacing requirements and replace if necessary. Weather seals come in various styles and thicknesses and can seal large gaps in window frames.

Over time, doors can sag or bow, creating openings at the corners of the frame. These leaks can be effectively stopped by installing corner seals. You should also check the sill adjustment at the bottom of your door and close any gaps beneath the door panel. If you have a garage, check the door weather-stripping to ensure the rubber bottom is able to whisk away water.

Boarding Up Your Windows

Boarding up lower windows with plywood can prevent floating debris from smashing through and flooding your home. If a flood warning is issued, time may be short, so it’s a good idea to have your boards cut to size in advance. Use 5/8-thick exterior-grade plywood at a minimum. If your house has a wood frame, you’ll need a stud finder to find the studs closest to the window. If you live in a masonry house, you’ll need to fit the plywood inside the window opening and use 4-inch barrel bolts to hold it in place.

Flood Barriers

Residential flood barriers provide excellent protection against rising waters. These units are temporary and can be deployed in front of doorways, windows, and entryways to absorb and divert water away. Different types are available, including water-activated tubes and bags that quickly reach full height after contact with water. Once activated, the barriers can be left in place throughout the season or packed away for later usage.

Sandbags

Sandbags are extremely effective at preventing or reducing flood damage. When properly filled and positioned, they act as a barrier to divert moving water around and away from your home. Fill your bags to between 1/3 and ½ full. This allows for good stacking but keeps the bags light enough to handle. Once filled, place the base layer lengthwise and parallel to the expected direction of water flow. Then place the next layer on top, offsetting by one-half the length of the lower bags. Repeat this process for one more row, taking care to stamp each row into place to form a tight seal. If more than three layers are required, then a pyramid vs. row design should be used.

Flood-Proofing Tips

• Protect Your Utilities: Build an enclosure around your water heater and furnace to keep floodwater away from the base (consult with a contractor about height, materials and installation) 

• Protect Your HVAC: Build a pedestal for your external central air conditioning unit to prevent contact with outdoor floodwaters (consult with a contractor first) 

• Install Backflow Valves: these devices prevent sewage from backing up in basement drains, sinks and toilets 

• Check for Leaks: Inspect ceilings, pipes, sinks and toilets for water leaks and mould growth 

• Check Your Water Bill: If water use seems unusually high, it may be a sign of leaky pipes 

• Check Your Hose: Inspect the supply hoses of your washing machine and dishwasher for wear

Flood-proofing a house involves keeping water out, and minimizing damage if water gets in. Now that you have an idea of what measures to take, you can get started on the flood-proofing plan for your home.