How to Avoid Water Damage Homes

Flood Plain Areas

Introduction:

The effects that water damage can have on a home can be devastating. Many homes are built in flood plain areas and are subject to flooding. When searching for a new property the buyer must be aware of the potential that the home may have weather damaged that is not easily detectable. This threat can be avoided by becoming aware of the tell tale signs of a water damaged property.

Unfortunately builders often develop property in flood plain areas. Before consider buying any home always look for high and dry building sites. The last thing a homeowner needs to experience is any type of flood water coming along and causing water damage to the property. If you are buying a home you should pay close attention to the land mass around the home. Never buy a home on the bottom of a slope that directs water toward the foundation of your home if a storm should come.

If you are considering building a home, the land that you select is as just as important as the home itself, if not more. You need to build on the highest elevation possible, even if it does cost a little more. The extra cost may just keep you out of a flood.

If you must buy or build a home on a slope insure that there is a good drainage system to prevent water that is flowing toward your home from getting to your home. The drainage system can be in-ground or on the surface. A properly installed drainage system can catch water that is flowing on top of the ground and direct it down into a system of tunnel drains that will route the water to a safe distance away from your home.

In-ground drainage systems do not have to be visually unappealing as a surface drain system might be. In-ground systems are designed to remain completely out of sight. With a properly built system you will never have to worry about water collecting against the foundation of your home.

If you are not sure if the location where you want to buy or build a house is in a flood zone, check with the local building code officers. He can review the flood plain maps and advise you if the location is a flood plain and what the flood cycle is. Do not be mislead by sale real-estate agents who may comment that the “area hasn’t flooded in years”. You want a location that is not and has never been designated as a flood plane area.

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