How to Tell If a House Has Flooded (Houston Flood Maps and More)

It’s been almost two years since Hurricane Harvey, and with the recent flash flooding this month, there are still lots of flooded homes on the market. This can be a major concern if you are buying a home in the Houston area.

Buying a flooded home can be a great way to buy a house with great renovation potential well below market value. However, you should stay clear of homes that weren’t properly gutted, dried and treated. Flooded homes with the walls still intact may have serious problems. Most people are familiar with the danger of mold from water damage, but floods can bring other dangers into a property. Flood waters can carry sewage and chemicals, making them more dangerous than other types of water damage. Also, moisture left in the walls can cause the wood to warp. In the most extreme cases, this damage can’t be repaired and the house will need to be demolished and rebuilt.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, how can you tell if the home was flooded, especially if the house hasn’t been gutted and the seller isn’t forthcoming?

DO YOUR RESEARCH

CHECK THE FLOOD ZONES

The very first thing you should do is see if the home is in an area that has a high risk of flooding. If it is, it probably flooded during Harvey and may have been at risk when the roads flooded in May. Even if the home wasn’t flooded, it is still a good idea to find out if the home is at a high risk for flooding so you can make a smart home buying decision.

To see if a certain property is in a flood zone click here.

REPORT FROM FEMA

Only the owner of the property can request a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) report, but their reports can be the most in depth. FEMA reports provide you with a full history of claims made for the property for both insurance and FEMA aid. You can contact them at 1-866-395-7496, and they can help you with the process of putting in a written request.

CLUE REPORT

The CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is basically a credit score for insurance and is very similar to the FEMA report. The information must be requested by the owner of the home, but instead of getting the information from the government, you are getting the information directly from insurance companies. Unlike a FEMA report the claim history only goes back for the past five to seven years, and since the information comes from the insurance company, it won’t tell you if the home has ever received any aid from FEMA.

SELLER’S DISCLOSURE NOTICE

In Texas, anyone selling a single-family residence is required to sign a Seller’s Disclosure Notice, which requires the seller to provide certain information to the buyer of the property. The Seller’s Disclosure Notice requires the seller to share information about the property’s history, including any damage done to the property. However, the notice is contingent on whether the seller is aware of the home flooding. If the owner is unsure if the property flooded, request they file for a CLUE or FEMA report.

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF FLOODING

OUTSIDE THE HOME

• Downward Grading Look for a downward grading away from the home. If the foundation of the home appears to be slightly sunken in, it is possible that the land had flooded causing the foundation of the home to sink slightly.
• Windows and Doorframes Check for any separation or soft spots around the exterior windows and doorframes. These could indicate water damage. Also, notice if the exterior windows and doors have been recently replaced, while the rest of the house has not been renovated. This could be a sign of a “quick fix” by the homeowner.
• Stains You should look for water stains both in the interior and exterior of your home. On the exterior pay close attention to the foundation and siding.

INSIDE THE HOME

• Flooring Water will cause hardwood, linoleum and tile to become warped and cracked.
• Stains Water stains are typically easier to spot on the interior of a home. Pay attention to discolored areas on the ceiling and walls. You should pay attention to see if there are spots where the home appears to have been recently painted or the paint seems thicker. This could be a possible sign that someone has attempted to cover up the stain.
• Smell Your sense of smell can be a great tool in finding out if a flood has happened on the property. If you smell a mustiness or mildew, there has most likely been water damage.
• Rubber Mallet Test Water damage will cause walls to be soft. If you are concerned about the condition of the home, you can lightly hit the wall with a rubber mallet. If the room has been flooded the wall will concave easily.

Houston homeowners are required to tell the buyer about flood damage to the property, but when making an important purchase like buying a home, it is important that you do your own research. The better informed you are the better your decision will be.

At First Fidelity, we specialize in taking in homes that need love, and transforming them into beautiful spaces. If you are considering buying a flooded home, give us a call and we’ll provide a free assessment. Also, if you need to sell a home fast or know anyone who is in a distressed situation that needs to sell a damaged home, please call us. We are here to help. First Fidelity buys homes AS-IS, so the owners don’t have to repair or even clean the property.

Call us today at (832) 699-2333.

Email us at [email protected]

Visit our website at www.firstfidelityproperties.com