Tag Archive: flood damage

Motor Vehicle Flood Damage: What To Do With Your Flooded Car

April 4, 2013

We’ve all seen the devastating pictures of cars submerged or being moved by flood water. If your car has been subjected to flood water, you’ll want to proceed cautiously once flood waters recede.

Resist the temptation to start your car once you get access to it. Flood water can carry dirt and particles into every system and crevice of your car, including the engine, transmission, drive train and fuel brake and power steering systems. If you start your car, these particles may be driven deeper into systems, making them more difficult to clean. Instead, have your vehicle inspected and all systems cleaned and flushed before you try and start it.

As you might guess, cars may need to be taken apart substantially for cleaning, which involves a lot of time and labor. Depending on the extent of the damage and the make and model of your car, the cost of cleaning may exceed the cost of replacing the vehicle. Check with your insurance provider to see what they can do for you.

Unfortunately, the same thing can happen with flood-damaged homes. If your home sustains structural damage, sometimes the home costs more to fix than it’s worth. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of structural damage to your home from flooding is to install flood vents. Our FEMA compliant flood vents have been installed in homes across the U.S.A. For more information on how Flood Solutions flood vents can help mitigate damage to your home in case of flooding, contact us.

Flooding and Your Garden

March 22, 2013

If you live in an area prone to flooding, you’ve probably already taken precautions to protect and minimize flood damage to your home. Yet flooding can also devastate gardens, killing plants, contaminating soil and destroying decking, paths and fences. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help mitigate garden damage.

Ideally, garden flood preparation is part of the planning and design process. By choosing flood resistant plants, improving drainage and using water resistant building materials, you can mitigate damage when flooding occurs.

Of course, most of us are working with existing gardens. This doesn’t mean you have to remove what you have and start over. Instead, as you introduce new plantings or update your design, incorporate elements that will increase your garden’s flood tolerance.

If the worst happens and your garden is subject to a flood, proceed cautiously when cleaning up. Wear heavy gloves and boots and make sure your immunizations are up to date. Scratches can lead to serious infections such as melioidosis and tetanus from contaminated soil. Do not consume fruits or vegetables that have been exposed to flood water as they may carry contaminants from sewage or other sources.

For more information on reducing flood damage to your garden, the Environment Agency (U.K.), in conjunction with BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, has some helpful information.

Before you take steps to prepare your garden for flooding, be sure you’ve done everything you can to mitigate flood damage to your home. For many homeowners, flood vents are an important part of flood preparation. Flood vents help maintain the structural integrity of your home by allowing flood waters to flow through. You’ll end up with a soggy crawlspace, but you’re less likely to sustain structural damage.

At Flood Solutions, we design and manufacture only FEMA compliant flood vents made in the U.S.A. To learn more about our flood vents, contact us.