If you live in an area that experiences inclement weather, you may be looking for ways of protecting your home from water damage. Renovating your kitchen is an excellent opportunity to install flood-resistant features that will help keep water out.

Simple moves such as running electrical wiring across the roof (and elevating appliances from floor level) will help mitigate flood damage. Here are some additional ways of making your kitchen renovation flood-proof.

1. Start with the flooring material 

When floodwaters trickle into your home, they will first clog your floors before they start moving up your walls. This is why you need a waterproof floor that won't allow moisture to penetrate underlying layers.

Sturdy materials such as ceramic tiles with large slabs, concrete and natural stone tiles work well to keep water out. These materials are also durable and will only require minimal maintenance after flooding has occurred. 

2. Install floating cabinets

Many homeowners rely on cabinets to store their kitchen supplies. From spices to Tupperware, you should take steps to prevent your cabinets from flooding. Consider installing your cabinets on upper walls as opposed to underneath sinks and countertops. Floating cabinets are less likely to become waterlogged after a storm strikes.

If you have both floating and ground-level cabinets, only store durable items such as pots and pans at the ground level. Floating cabinets also elevate the appearance of your kitchen because you can choose from many different materials and finishes. 

3. Consider natural stone for your countertops

After securing your floors and cabinets, you should consider your countertops. Installing porous countertops may result in excessive staining after flooding occurs. Natural stone such as granite and marble can be sealed to keep water out.

An even better alternative for flood-prone areas is quartz. Quartz is non-porous, and it doesn't have to be sealed when keeping water out. Quartz is also resistant to staining and bacterial penetration. If you are looking for an elegant countertop material that is adapted for flooding, look no further than quartz. 

4. Run electrical wiring through the roof

Don't forget about your kitchen appliances. Because electrical devices power the modern kitchen, you should consider how the wiring behind walls and floors could be affected by flooding.

A useful strategy is to run electrical wiring through the roof and down waterproof walls. This will limit the extent of damage that rising water levels could potentially cause.

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