While as a water damage repair company we are always here to help you in the event of a flood, taking preventive steps before a storm hits can save you thousands in repairs. So, what are some of the best practices for protecting your home from coastal flooding, and what do you do if your property experiences water damage? Here are a few of our best tips!
1. Know Your Flood Risk Before a Storm Hits
Not all homes in the South Shore are equally vulnerable to flooding. Some areas, like Hull’s beachfront neighborhoods and low-lying parts of Marshfield, are in high-risk flood zones. Other inland locations may be at a lower risk, but sometimes even inland locations can be in flood zones due to salt marshes and other waterways that can flood.
How to Check Your Flood Risk:
Use
FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to see if your home is in a high-risk flood zone. You may also already have this information, because as a homeowner living in a high risk flood area you may be required already to have flood insurance on your property! However, if you do live near the coast, assume storm surges could impact your property even if you’re not in an official flood zone. If you have just bought a new home in the area and aren’t sure about the history of your property, FEMA or your new flood insurance company should also be able to tell you a history of claims. This can also help you determine your future risk, as if your home has flooded multiple times in the past, you may want to take some extra steps towards protecting it from future damage!
Fun Fact: FEMA reports that just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damages. With the rising costs of construction and the extent of damage and potential subsequent mold issues caused by flooding, we would predict that unfortunately this number only stands to increase over time! Without proper flood insurance, homeowners may be responsible for all water damage repair costs.
2. Elevate and Seal Your Home’s Foundation
Coastal homes are at higher risk for basement flooding, especially in places like Scituate and Hingham, where storm surges can push seawater into homes at high tide. One of the best ways to reduce flood damage is to elevate and seal your home’s foundation. According to
HomeGuide, waterproofing your basement will likely run between 4500-10k depending on your contractor and where you live. However, if you’ve seen your fair share of flooding already, this may be a great investment towards protecting your home and preventing future issues that come with repeated flooding. Considering a home remodel? Your town or city may actually require you to remodel the home above a specific elevation in order to prevent future flooding, but even if not this may be a great time to consider doing so.
Tips for Protecting your Foundation:
- Apply a waterproof sealant to your basement foundation and walls.
- If you don’t have one, install a sump pump to remove excess water during storms.
- Raise electrical systems and appliances above flood levels.
Fun Fact: According to the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), proper foundation sealing and elevation can reduce flood damage by as much as 80%!
3. Invest in Flood Barriers and Sandbags
If you live in a high-risk flood zone in the South Shore, having flood barriers and sandbags on hand can help protect your home when water levels rise and threaten coming in through your home’s entryways. In the right situation, having some of these supplies on hand can save you thousands of dollars in damage.
Some flood protection tools to consider:
- Water-activated flood barriers – These expand when wet to create a barrier against incoming water.
- Traditional sandbags – A simple, affordable, effective option for blocking doorways and garage entrances.
- Flood shields for doors and windows – These metal or plastic panels that provide extra protection for entry points.
- House flood vents - Also called hydrostatic vents, in high flood risk areas these can help protect your foundation by allowing water to pass through, therefore reducing pressure on your home structures.
4. Maintain Your Gutters and Drains
One of the simplest but most effective ways to prevent water damage is to keep your gutters and storm drains clear. Blocked drains can force rainwater to pool around your home’s foundation, increasing the risk of flood damage.
Tips on Keeping Your Drainage System Ready:
- Clean your gutters before storm season to remove debris.
- Check downspouts and make sure they direct water at least 6 feet away from your home.
- Keep street drains clear - report clogged storm drains to your local public works department.
5. Get an Elevation Certificate
- An Elevation Certificate is a document that provides detailed information about your property's elevation relative to the estimated height floodwaters might reach in a major flood. This certificate is crucial for determining flood insurance premiums, as well as verifying compliance with local building codes. Before commissioning a new survey, you can check with property records to see if there may already be an elevation certificate on file, or you can also hire a land surveyor to authorize this for you. According to
Flood Price, this typically costs between $600 and $2700 for a typical residential property in Massachusetts.
Benefits of an Elevation Certificate
- Accurate Flood Risk Assessment – Provides precise data to determine your property's flood risk.
- Potential Insurance Savings – If your property is elevated above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), you may qualify for lower flood insurance premiums.
- Informed Decision-Making – Equips you with essential information for property improvements or real estate transactions.
6. Get the Right Flood Insurance
Most homeowners assume flood damage is covered by their insurance - but that’s usually not the case. Standard homeowner’s policies typically do NOT cover flood damage unless it is caused by some sort of plumbing malfunction within your home. However, if flood water from a storm comes into your home, homeowner’s insurance policies typically will not cover this kind of damage.
How to Make Sure You’re Covered:
- Check your current policy to see if flood damage is included.
- If you live in a flood-prone area like Hull or Marshfield, consider buying flood insurance through the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). They can sometimes have better rates than private insurance companies that are willing to cover in your area.
- Take photos of your property before storm season - this documentation can make the claims process smoother if you experience flooding.
Fun Fact: According to
FEMA, over 40% of flood insurance claims come from homeowners
outside high-risk flood zones!
7. Have a Plan for Emergency Water Damage Remediation
Despite your best efforts, flooding can still happen - and acting fast is the key to minimizing damage and mold growth. If storm season catches you off guard, here are some of our best tips.
What to Do If Your Home Floods:
- Turn off electricity
IF it’s safe to do so.
- Document the damage immediately with photos and videos for insurance claims.
- Remove standing water as quickly as you can using a sump pump or wet/dry vacuum.
- Call a water damage company immediately - the faster water damage remediation begins, the less severe the long-term damage will be.
Why Choose Atlantic Water Remediation?
Here at Atlantic Water Remediation, we are South Shore local and are based right in Quincy, MA. This gives us the opportunity to have a faster emergency response time than many national franchises. Our knowledge of local flooding issues helps us understand what you’re going through - We’ve been there, and done that! We offer 24/7 water damage repair and flood remediation services across the South Shore. Our team specializes in water damage repair, storm-related flood cleanup, and full-service remediation for South Shore homeowners. If you’re facing storm-related flooding,
Give Us a Call! We are happy to help guide you, educate you on proper flood water cleanup, and talk to you about your specific situation to get it resolved quickly.
