Why IICRC Certification Matters When You Choose 1-800 WATER DAMAGE
Learn the importance of 1-800 WATER DAMAGE being an IICRC-certified company and what that means for you and your property.
December 8, 2025
Read More1-800 Water Damage of North Orlando are the experts you need in the flood restoration industry. We are often asked about flood proofing a home and unfortunately, flood proofing a home completely isn’t something that can be done. Mother Nature is way too unpredictable, as are home catastrophes. You just never know when something is going to happen.
Although there is no way to fully flood-proof your home, there are some measures that you can take to minimize the likelihood of flooding and to mitigate the damage that occurs after a flood.
Keep In Mind: This is not an exhaustive guide, nor will it prevent flooding or damage. Please refer to the Know Your Flood Risk guide on the FEMA website.
What Causes Flooding?
Whether it’s Mother Nature or a man-made cause, flooding can happen at any time. Some typical causes for flooding are:
- Storms: Heavy rainfall from storms (named or otherwise) is a major cause of flooding
- Prolonged Rainfall: Even the lightest rain over a long period of time can cause flooding due to build up of inches.
- Storm Surge: Storm surge is a phenomenon that happens closer to the shore of coastal communities when a big storm is coming ashore.
- Burst Pipe: We see burst pipes in residences all the time and it’s one of the most common causes of flooding.
Flood Proofing: Outside Preparations
Whether the building you want to protect is a new building, an existing home, or a commercial property, here are some ways to mitigate flood risks on the outside of the building that can help prevent the need for water damage cleanup.
New Construction
Nowadays there are many codes that builders must adhere to so when it comes to a new build, elevation and location are the most important aspects to look at in regards to flood risk. Builders should ensure that a property is adequately elevated and built away from major water sources like rivers and lakes.
The surrounding landscape is another way to prevent flooding inside your building or home. Your yard should be properly sloped and graded to allow the water to adequately drain away from your house and foundation instead of pooling around it (which can lead to flooding). Surrounding your building with plants, trees, and shrubs should help to absorb more water and minimize erosion.
Having trees in your yard helps due to their root system as roots promote drainage.
Established Homes
Established homes should follow the same yard recommendations as above. This is your first defense against flooding. Here is a list of additional protective measures you can take:
- Windows and doors: It’s important to check for gaps or cracks and take the proper measures to fix them.
- Roof: Before storm season, check your roof for missing or broken shingles. Check inside for staining or water spots as well. If you notice something, call a professional to help you tarp your roof until you can get it repaired.
- Gutters: All gutters should be free of debris and aiming away from the house. If you notice pooling around the gutters, call a professional out to install extensions.
Inside of the Home Preparations
The interior part of a home is more about minimizing possible damage if a flood were to occur.
New Build Interiors
The best defense against flooding for new home interiors is to elevate appliances and electrical systems at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation.
Existing Home Interiors
For existing homes, there are still some effective ways to minimize flood damage when flooding does occur:
- Flooring: It’s much easier to remove water from tile flooring as opposed to carpeting so invest in tile material as soon as you can.
- Inspect appliances: Appliances are often the cause of flooding. If you inspect your appliances regularly, you may avoid a situation before it happens. Inspect hoses, washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers, and water heaters every few months.
- Vacation Mode: If you’re going to be out of town, shut off the main water supply.
A Storm Is Coming! Time to Prep!
- Secure Your Yard: If you’re anticipating a flood or if you’ve flooded before, bring your items inside somehow. This could mean your grill, benches, and any children’s toys.
- Prevention measures: Utilize sandbags if a lot of rain is imminent. This can encourage water to flow away from your house rather than into it.
You’re Flooded. Now What?
Even if homeowners take all of the precautions that we’ve mentioned, they may still find their homes flooded. This is where 1-800 Water Damage comes into play. We will help you get your home back to a pre-flooded condition.
Our water damage restoration specialists are the experts in flood restoration and we know how to extract water, mitigate mold, and minimize the damage that flood water can cause.
We also know that flood damage doesn’t wait for business hours so rest assured that when you need us, we’re only a phone call away.
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