It’s the time of year we begin bracing ourselves — the months when an excessive amount of rain can complicate our lives by causing damaging floods. It’s no small thing: floods cause about $6 billion worth of home damage each year in the United States. Those homeowners who live in an area that has been declared a flood zone by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are at an even greater risk of flood damage to their homes. Flood insurance can protect you if you live in a flood-prone area, but there are also some measures you can take to protect your property against flood damage.
Relocate: If you live in a flood zone, the surest way to protect against flood damage is to relocate, if practical. Relocating a home can be costly and you’ll need to make sure you choose a lot on higher ground. Moving a house is a complex undertaking, and likely will require the services of a professional home mover. You can obtain bids, check references and find an experienced mover with good references. Before hiring a mover, make sure he has the required liability insurance to cover your move.
Elevate: Elevating your home is less extreme and more practical than moving your home. You can check NFIP elevation requirements and make sure you elevate your home at or above the recommended floor elevation. A floor elevation will require the services of professional contractors such as plumbers, electricians or other contractors. A structural engineer can help with designing a new foundation for your home.
Other Options: A few other ideas that will help with flood mitigation include having a sump pump installed, flood-proofing your HVAC systems and sloping your property to direct flood waters away from your home. Taking these steps may require some time and effort, but they will lower your flood risk and give you some peace of mind.
Please contact us If you’d like more information about how to protect your home through flood insurance. We want to make sure you have the coverage you need. http://www.gross-ins.com
