Residential Flood Control
Homeowners have to be more vigilant than ever to protect against the risk posed by flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which provides resources on flood control for homeowners, has reassessed its floodplain surveys and concluded that a greater number of homes are now in areas vulnerable to flooding events. It doesn’t take a major flood to devastate a home — most damage is caused by 18 inches or less of water.
Flood control methods like sandbags and permanent residential flood barriers have their place but may not be the ideal solution to protect a home. Even a carefully-constructed sandbag wall will become saturated with water, resulting in seepage into the protected area. Permanent barriers are only an option if they are allowed by local ordinances and there is room on a property to build them.
The new way to control flooding is to isolate a home from floodwaters with a water-filled perimeter. The AquaDam is the original water-filled inflatable dam for houses — its first documented use was in Clearlake, California, in 1995. AquaDam is water-filled, so installation is straightforward and less challenging compared to the time and effort it takes to build sandbag walls.
Because the AquaDam is a solid structure, water will not seep through it. Water that seeps in through the ground beneath the AquaDam can be controlled by electric sump pumps with float switches at strategic low spots behind the barrier.
Invest in an AquaDam to Protect Homes
AquaDams can be deployed, recovered, stored and potentially deployed again. The outer sleeve of each AquaDam consists of polypropylene geotextile, standing up to rugged conditions. Because of the variability of potential installation sites, however, there is no guarantee that the AquaDam can be reused.
The cost of the AquaDam is usually around 10% of the cost to repair and renovate the damage caused by uncontrolled floodwaters. That means the AquaDam will pay for itself many times over with its successful flood-control deployment.
Preventing flood damage also avoids the costs of leaving the home indefinitely while repairs are completed. This disruption to a family’s everyday life can be the most difficult part of dealing with flooding and is a major reason why it’s vital to have an effective approach to flood control.
AquaDam as Part of a Flood Control Plan
AquaDams can play an essential role in an effective overall flood control plan. This plan should include:
- Residential flood protection barriers like the AquaDam as the first line of defense.
- Seepage control pumps placed in low-lying spots behind the AquaDam.
- Gutter-downspout diversion pipes.
- Plugs or valves for drain pipes.
- Other site-specific solutions.
Planning in advance for the possibility of flooding with effective solutions will help homeowners protect their families, homes and peace of mind.
Request a Quote on an AquaDam Flood Protection Barrier
Contact us online today about how AquaDam can help you guard your home against floodwaters. Representatives at AquaDam will discuss the best options for your property and answer your questions about shipping and installation.