All Your Questions Regarding Flood Vents, Answered!

< Back to Blog

All Your Questions Regarding Flood Vents, Answered!

All Your Questions Regarding Flood Vents, Answered!
Jul 03, 2019

Despite flooding being a frequent occurrence in several regions of the United States that can lead to costly damages and repairs, a lot of buildings and homes are still lagging behind when it comes to installing flood vents. This blog answer the most frequently asked questions about these tools and put your skepticism to rest.

What Is A Flood Vent?

Also known as a flood port, a flood vent is an opening in one or more sides of a wall that allows water to flow unobstructed in and out of the building. This device is meant to lower the probability of structural damage caused by stormwater or flooding, especially for buildings that are situated in flood plains (i.e. flood hazard areas).

Flood vents can be used in crawl spaces and basements. They’re available in forms of solid hinged covers as well as vented hinged covers, and may also be used as foundation vents.

How Are Non-Engineered And Engineered Vents Different?

Flood vents come in both engineered and non-engineered forms.

Engineered flood vents, like the ones we have at Crawl Space Door Store, are designed by registered architects and engineers, and are certified by them. They meet all the performance characteristics approved and listed by FEMA.  

Non-engineered flood vents are assessed by simply calculating the existing openings in the vent itself. For them to be FEMA compliant, they must suit the requirements of 1 square inch of free space for every square foot of the enclosed area.  

Who Needs Flood Vents?

According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), flood vents are required for residential as well as commercial crawl spaces, basements, garages, and other similar enclosed structures located below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) which refers to the height of the base flood. This requirement is necessary for areas that lie under the category of “Special Flood Hazard Areas”.  

Building and property owners are expected to comply by the NFIP for the security and safety of their buildings.

 

Why Should You Have Flood Vents?

As discussed above, buildings located in certain areas are obligated to have flood vents installed for safety purposes. In addition to this, having flood vents also gives you flood insurance, which opens several other doors. For instance, you can’t get a mortgage in some areas unless you have flood insurance for your home.

Flood vents protect the structural framework of your house, preventing the windows and doors from “blowing out” because of water pressure in case of flooding. They also help maintain the stability of your foundation, and keep your house standing tall.

For engineered, FEMA flood vents, browse through our product range to add the perfect tool in your shopping cart! We also provide air vents, ventilation fans, and crawl space doors.

  • Better Business Bureau Accredited Business
  • International Code Council Member
  • Tidewater Builders Association Member
  • Tidewater Builders Association Green Council Member

Why buy a crawl space door, flood vent,
air vent, or portable fan system?

  • Save Money

    Save Money

    Save money on your utility bill with our ventilation, door, fan and vent cover products. You can save money on your flood insurance premiums with our FEMA compliant flood vent.

  • Protect Your Home

    Protect Your Home

    Moisture in the crawl space rots the wood under your home. Reduce the moisture in your crawl space with our crawl space doors, louvers, flood vents and portable exhaust fans.

  • Protect Your Family

    Protect Your Family

    A damp crawl space is unhealthy. Mold thrives in damp areas causing millions of airborne mold spores to enter your home. Toxic mold spores can be deadly to children and those with allergies and COPD.

  • Save Energy

    Save Energy

    Use our crawl space air vents and doors to ventilate your crawl space with natural air flow or forced air with our energy efficient exhaust and portable fans.

  • Save The Environment

    Save The Environment

    Reducing the moisture in your crawl space reduces mold that releases airborne mold spores into the environment.

  • Green Crawl Space

    Green Crawl Space

    Ventilate your crawl space with natural air flow with our crawl space air vents, louvers, and exhaust fans.

Check out our crawl space videos