5 Home Renovations Projects To Consider After a Flood

 

Despite being the state’s most common natural disaster, only 3% of Virginians have adequate flood insurance. And even for those who are adequately covered, insurance can never truly replace what nature takes away. Therefore, to better protect your property the next time a flood strikes, keep reading to discover 5 home renovation projects to do after a flood.

1. Re-sloping the Lawns

If your home has experienced water damage due to a flood, it is possible that your lawns have lost their slope over time, causing water to flow toward your home. Ideally, lawns will have a 5% grade away from the home. This means that the ground 10 feet away from your house should be about 6 inches lower than the ground abutting your house. 

There are numerous reasons that a lawn may lose its grade over time. Foot traffic may compact the soil and cause the lawn to lose its slope, or water runoff could cause erosion. Whatever the case, it is important to assess the slope of your lawns following a flood. It is fairly straightforward to perform a DIY slope check and repair using a couple of stakes and some string, but if manual labor is not your forte, definitely call professionals to get the grade fixed. 

2. Replacing Concrete Driveways

There are a couple of problems with concrete driveways as they pertain to flooding. First, as they create an impermeable surface, water has no choice but to flow over the top of them or start eating away at the substrate below. When this happens, erosion will cause your concrete driveway to buckle and crack.

In addition, the runoff itself creates its own set of issues. It is easily contaminated, and flood water is notorious for polluting freshwater sources. The runoff also means that water that could have been used by the lawn is lost as waste.

Therefore, modern driveway drainage solutions leverage the benefits of permeable gravel driveways. While old-fashioned gravel driveways were at risk of erosion and displacement, innovative permeable paver grids are now installed in the driveway’s substrate, holding the gravel in place during times of heavy water flow. This allows the driveway to maximize the permeable properties of gravel, mitigating the flood water that reaches streetside drainage and keeping it for use in your property’s soil.  

3. Adding Trench Drains to Exterior Hangouts

Exterior areas of the home, such as patios, outdoor kitchens, and pool decks, need to have the proper trench drains installed to keep water from standing in the path of foot traffic. To ensure that these drains do not get clogged with debris, it is critical to install landscape drainage grates with your trench drains. Not only will innovative drainage grates filter out debris, but it keeps people from stepping in the drains and getting injured. Drainage grates come in a number of attractive patterns and designs that can enhance the appearance of any type of exterior theme. 

4. Waterproofing Foundation Walls

Hopefully, flooding does not cause any damage to your home’s foundation. However, if it does, you can take important steps for preventing future episodes by waterproofing foundation walls.

Do not get waterproofing confused with dampproofing. Dampproofing involves spraying or rolling a water-resistant flashing onto the foundation walls. Its water-resistant properties will prevent water from the soil from seeping in and damaging your foundation. While worthwhile, it will likely not be enough when high levels of hydrostatic pressure are present, as will be the case during a flood.

This is where foundation waterproofing comes in.

Waterproofing the foundation walls involves adding a permeable membrane to the outside of the walls. In the presence of flowing water, this membrane will direct water down to a drainage mat or board. From there, the water enters a series of pipes to flow away from your home, creating a more comprehensive defense against water damage.

5. Dehumidify Floors and Any Below Grade Areas

It is a good idea to periodically dehumidify your home to stay ahead of any mold or mildew growth. However, in the event of a flood, it becomes essential.

Obviously, running a commercial dehumidifier is a necessary step to help dry out your house. However, there are some simpler steps that you can take to enhance the process:

• Open windows and run fans
• Add house plants around your home
• Apply sealants to any cracks you notice in the building envelope

It is also worthwhile to check on the status of your insulation and check the floor and any other below-grade areas of the home to see if they are compromised. If so, immediately replace them, as mold and rot will spread if left unchecked. 

The Best Home Renovation Projects After a Flood

Flooding is one of the most relevant threats to Virginia homeowners, with just an inch of water capable of causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. If you find your home compromised following a flood, contact the Flood Doctor to help you work through any of the aforementioned renovation projects to do after a flood!