How to Flood Proof Your Home

Learn as much as you can about flooding in your community.

If your house is located in one of the areas mapped under the Flood Damage Reduction Program, you can receive detailed information on flood levels from Environment Canada offices.

If you are located in an unmapped area, good sources of flood information are available from the same federal government offices listed in the Environment Canada FDR Program section, as well as provincial government agencies, your municipal government, and local libraries.

The best protection is to avoid building in areas prone to flooding.

Learn more about flood proofing

Information can be obtained from public and university libraries. Local contractors, as well as engineering and architectural firms, can also provide useful information regarding water resistant materials and construction practices.

Learn how to construct a sand bag dyke<

Select an appropriate method of flood proofing

There are several methods for flood proofing buildings. In selecting a method of flood proofing, consider the following:

• the characteristics of the flood hazard;
• the physical conditions at the site;
• the building's function, operation and use;
• the type and condition of the building.

Always seek expert advice when required because improper flood proofing can cause serious structural damage to buildings.

Evaluate the costs and benefits of flood proofing.

Determine the cost of flood proofing your property and weigh it against the cost of future flood damages.

Know the extent of any remaining flood risk because you can never eliminate it entirely.