There are two ways to protect your home or building from Flood water when building enclosed areas below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE): they are known as “Dry Flood Proofing” and Wet Flood Proofing”.

Dry Flood Proofing entails building the lower levels that are BFE in such a way as to keep all water outside the structure during a flood. Essentially like a swimming pool only in reverse. Because of the cost, this method is seldom used in residential construction.

Wet Flood Proofing utilizes Engineered Flood Vents to protect houses and buildings during floods. Flood Vents prevent water pressure from building up between the inside and outside of a structure during a flood. It is this pressure difference that can destroy walls and foundations. Utilizing strategically place flood vents allows floodwater to freely flow through an enclosure such as a crawlspace or garage.

Flood vents are required in any residential building constructed in Flood Zone Type A that has an enclosed area below the Base Flood Elevation.

At Carroll’s Building Materials, we only recommend “Smart Vent” the most advanced flood protection on the market. One Smart Vent offers up to five times the protection of typical “non-compliant” vents while preserving the aesthetic beauty of a building and no electricity is required.

Smart Vents bring buildings into full flood compliance and have the potential to dramatically reduce Flood Insurance Premiums. Smart Vents are simple to install or retrofit into new or existing structures. Smart Vents all Stainless Steel construction ensure that they meet or exceed flood and corrosion resistance code requirements.