A homemade door dam. For a commercial version, see here.
a list of possible things to do:
- replace water soaked wallboard with paperless wallboard
- stop wallboard 1 or 2 inches above floor to prevent water wicking
- when replacing wallboard raise wall outlets above flood line
- replace paper backed insulation in walls with closed cell foam
- remove baseboards as soon as possible to let water in walls to escape and to dry sill boards
- use tile flooring throughout
- seal tile to prevent sewer water in grout pores
- fill bathtub with clean water to prevent sewer water from entering tub
- install a sewer line backflow valve
- don’t flush toilet during flood
- car ramps to elevate vehicle’s engine end
- seal exterior weep holes with closed cell foam backer rod (remove after flood)
- elevated garage shelving – and nothing stored on garage floor
- put bathtub caulk strip along all exterior door seams then climb through open window
- concrete dike (disguised as flower planters) around home exterior
- one or more bilge pumps with battery backup with hose out a window
- use towels to mop up seepage and spin dry in washing machine before each reuse
- remove bottom drawers of cabinets and place on counter-tops
- remove everything from under bed and closets and place in waterproof plastic boxes on top of bed
- remove any bedding materials that will wick water
- fold long skirts on hangers and use binder clips to secure
- install a permanent sunken sump pump plumbed out a sidewall
- enforce property elevation restrictions
- water sensor connected to wifi or phone to alert homeowner
- give a neighbor a key with instructions if leaving home
- put sandbags in driveway to prevent garage door damage from truck “wakes”
- roll up all rugs and put them on kitchen cabinets
- remove wet area rugs, etc., and dry in sunlight as soon as possible
- pick all power outlets off of floor prior to flood and use painters tape to secure them so they don’t fall in during the flood
- keep a box of nitrile examining gloves to wear during cleanup
- run dehumidifiers and fans immediately after flood
- assign neighbors to put up barriers when streets are flooded to minimize through traffic
- organize teams of neighbors to help elderly prepare for and clean up after the flood
- install French drains to remove standing water in yard where mosquitoes can breed – install a pump if necessary
- after the rain empty containers where water has gathered to prevent mosquito breeding
- move your shopvac into the house before the rain
- put flashlights strategically around the house
- alternately run the heater and air conditioning – heat helps air absorb water AC acts as dehumidifier
- keep flood insurance up to date
- sharpen chainsaw before hurricane season – Dremel has a sharpening attachment
- mix 2-cycle fuel and stabilizer before hurricane season – store above water level
- pair with neighbors to cut fallen trees – safer and faster to work in teams
- wear chainsaw safety gear – Kevlar chaps, hardhat, gloves, ear and eye protection
- while the wallboard is off and everything has been dried out, paint the studs and sill plate with Kilz or similar to prevent future mold – use silicone caulk to prevent water from getting under sill plates
- Plant native grasses and trees that absorb water