TRENTON, N.J. — To protect a home from damage from a flood or a hurricane takes more than just making the outside stronger. The inside of the house can be better protected from wind and water with a little planning and preparation.

Several things can be done to minimize damage inside a structure. Here are some ideas:

Floors:                                                                                                        

• Consider using one or more area rugs or carpet remnants rather than wall-to-wall carpet; smaller pieces can be rolled up and stored on an upper floor in a heavy rain event.
• Completely dry subflooring before laying new flooring.
• Do not use laminate flooring on top of concrete – especially in a basement – where the floor could retain moisture or get wet.

Drains:

• Install a sewer backflow valve to prevent sewage from backing up into the house.
• Install a sump pump or pumps in the basement floor to help keep groundwater from entering a structure. Sump pumps are used to remove water from basements and other low areas. Consider choosing a model with a battery backup so that it continues to work if the power goes out.

Electrical System:

• Raise wiring and electrical components – panel boxes, switches, outlets – at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation. Homeowners who are not in a designated floodplain, should consider raising these components an extra 1 foot above the level required by building codes.
• Use wire rated for underground use if it has to run into areas that could get wet.
• Ensure that all junctions are in approved junction boxes.
• Change all outlets to Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI).
• Raise electric baseboard heaters above the Base Flood Elevation.
• Hire a licensed electrician for all wiring work and be sure the work is properly permitted and approved by the local building department.
• For questions about a home or building’s Base Flood Elevation contact the local building or floodplain management department.

Appliances:

• Elevate appliances – water heaters, furnaces, washers and dryers.
• When possible, move them from a basement or lower level to an upper floor. Otherwise, relocate appliances on a masonry or pressure-treated lumber base that’s at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation (or at least 6 inches tall if there is no Base Flood Elevation).
• Make sure washers/dryers will not vibrate off the platform during use.
• Hire a licensed contractor when plumbing or electrical changes are needed.

Interior Walls:

• Wash and disinfect the studs and sills if the drywall and insulation have been removed. Give the studs and sills plenty of time to dry before hanging new drywall.
• Use a moisture meter to be doubly sure.
• Cut drywall so that it is one-half to 1 inch off the floor, especially in basements.
• Concrete floors commonly absorb ground moisture – especially in winter months.
  • That moisture can wick up the wallboard if it’s touching the floor, allowing mold to grow out-of-sight within the walls. (Hide the gap with wood or rubberized floor trim).
  • If greenboard or other moisture-resistant drywall got wet, replace it. These materials can present the same health hazards as regular drywall when soaked with floodwaters.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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