Wet Flood-Proofing

There are things that you can do to protect your home from flood damage. The most effective things are also the most expensive: relocating the whole building to another location outside the floodplain, or elevating it so it is up above flood level.

There are also less expensive options:

• Building a flood wall around utilities
• Elevating utilities (gas meters, electrical outlets, furnaces, etc.) above flood level
• Installing sewer back-flow valves
• Using water resistant materials in building and remodeling

These are all "wet flood-proofing" solutions. That means that they let water in, while protecting valuable components.

Dry Flood-Proofing

"Dry flood-proofing" means to keep water out completely. This can only be done for flooding up to three feet, and is not advisable for homes. Letting flood water inside a building actually protects it by equalizing the pressure on both sides of the walls. If you don't equalize the pressure, floodwater as shallow as three feet can topple a wall or cause other major structural damage. Basement walls can easily collapse and floors can buckle if floodwater is kept out a basement completely.

For more information on flood protection, call the Building Department at 517-483-4363.