Protecting Property from Flood Hazards

You can protect your property by floodproofing basements, ensuring downspouts are pointed downhill and away from home, storing valuables in waterproof containers, and retrofitting your home in many other ways. Retrofitting means making changes to an existing building to protect it from flooding or other hazards. FEMA suggests Elevation, Wet Floodproofing, Relocation, Dry Floodproofing, Levee and Floodwall, and Demolition to raise the house.

Other flood prevention tips are:

  1. Review Your Landscaping
    • Routinely clean and maintain gutters, downspouts, and splashpads so rainwater flows away from your house
    • Clear debris from drainage ditches and storm drains
    • Improve your lot grading to facilitate positive and safe drainage
  2. Seal Foundation Cracks
    • Close any cracks with mortar, caulk or hydraulic cement
    • Seal walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage and make sure flood drains are free from obstructions
  3. Install a Sump Pump
    • Sump pumps propel groundwater away from your homes an can be an excellent defense against seepage and flooding. Choose a pump with a battery backup in case the power goes out.
  4. Prevent Sewer Backups
    • Install drain plugs for all basement floor drains to prevent sewer backups
    • Have a licensed plumber install sewer backflow valves for all pipes entering the building to prevent flood and wastewater from backing up into your home through toilets, sinks, and other drains
  5. Elevate Appliances and Electrical Equipment
    • Raise and anchor service equipment and appliances such as air conditioning units, water heaters, heat pumps, and water meters onto platforms so they are at least one foot above the potential flood height
    • Move major appliances such as washers, dryers, and hot-water heaters above the ground floor

See FEMA's Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting to learn more about retrofitting your home.

To report illegal dumping into the drainage system, please call 678-691-1200.

The City of Peachtree Corners provides one-on-one advice specific to your property about how you could better equip your property to be resistant to flood damage. The city can also provide financial advice for how you can receive aid and discounts for making your property more flood resistant.

If you would like to discuss possibilities of improvement, please call our Stormwater Engineer, Katherine Francesconi at 470-395-7033 to schedule an on-site appointment.