What the score means
The score adds points for each item you have in place. On a low, flat block near Flushing Bay with a driveway that drops toward the garage, the items that keep water out carry the most points: a backwater valve, a driveway barrier and a working sump pump. Insurance items count too, because a flood without coverage turns a cleanup into a major loss.
A high score does not guarantee a dry house. A very large cloudburst can overwhelm any home. A low score tells you where to start. The list under the score shows the unchecked items in order of weight.
We clean up and dry after a flood. We do not install pumps, valves or drains, so you will need a plumber or contractor for those. After a loss, we can tell you where water came in.
Questions about this tool
Do I need every item?
No. Pick the ones that fit your house. A home without a cellar does not need a sump pump.
What should I do first?
Start with the highest-weighted items you are missing. Insurance and a backwater valve matter most in areas with combined sewers.
Does this replace a plumber's inspection?
No. It is a prompt for questions to ask a plumber or an agent.
Who installs backwater valves?
A licensed plumber. Some work needs a permit, so ask before work starts.
Read next Your Driveway Slopes to the Garage. Here Is Why That Floods.
