🏠 Action Checklist
Flood-Proof Your Home
A complete room-by-room flood mitigation checklist: Basement & Crawl Space (HIGH RISK), Entry Doors & Garage, Kitchen & Main Floor, and Exterior & Yard (CRITICAL FIRST LINE). Start with the highest-risk areas first.
Room-by-Room Checklist
🏚️
Basement & Crawl Space
HIGH RISK
- ☐ Install a quality sump pump with battery backup ($150–$300)
- ☐ Raise electrical panels, outlets, HVAC equipment above flood line
- ☐ Apply waterproof sealant to walls and floor (hydraulic cement for cracks)
- ☐ Install floor drain backflow preventer valve
- ☐ Store valuables in waterproof bins or elevated shelving
- ☐ Check sump pump operation annually — replace after 7–10 years
- ☐ Inspect crawl space vents and seal entry points
🚪
Entry Doors & Garage
MODERATE RISK
- ☐ Install water-activated flood barriers or door skirts ($40–$260)
- ☐ Add flood-rated door sweeps to all exterior doors
- ☐ Seal gaps around door frames with waterproof caulk
- ☐ Raise garage floor threshold or install flood gates for garage doors
- ☐ Check weatherstripping — replace if compressed or cracked
🍳
Kitchen & Main Floor
MODERATE RISK
- ☐ Store important documents and valuables in waterproof safe
- ☐ Raise major appliances (washer, dryer, water heater) on flood-resistant platforms
- ☐ Know location of main water shutoff — label it clearly
- ☐ Install check valves on toilets and floor drains
- ☐ Keep an emergency kit with 72-hour supplies accessible on upper floor
🌿
Exterior & Yard
CRITICAL FIRST LINE
- ☐ Grade yard away from foundation — 6-inch drop over 10 feet minimum
- ☐ Clean gutters and downspouts twice yearly; extend 6+ feet from house
- ☐ Install French drain or swale to redirect surface water
- ☐ Check window well drains and clear debris
- ☐ Seal foundation cracks with hydraulic cement before rainy season
- ☐ Consider permeable paving for driveway to reduce runoff
Start with the Highest-ROI Items
Battery backup sump pump ($150–$300) and door flood barriers ($40–$260) have the highest return on investment.
A $300 battery backup prevents the #1 cause of basement flooding — power outages during the very storms that cause flooding.
See the full prevention ROI breakdown →
Also See
Flood Prevention Products
Every item in this checklist is available at FloodReady — barriers, sump pumps, sealants, and more.
The Real Cost of Flooding
How much does a flood actually cost? The ROI math on every prevention measure.
Assess Your Risk
Take the free flood risk assessment to prioritize which items matter most for your property.
DATA SOURCES
- FEMA Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting, 3rd Edition
- Basement Defender — Basement Flooding Prevention Research
- HomeAdvisor — Flood Mitigation Cost Guide
- FEMA Risk MAP Program — Flood Risk Tools