Protecting Your Home from the Ground Up

At Floor Coverings International®, we’re more than flooring experts— we’re your neighbors, your community members, and your local partners in creating a home that feels safe and lasting. That’s why we’re here to help you prepare—not just as professionals, but as people who care deeply about protecting the place we all call home.

And while we can’t always predict when natural disasters will strike, we can take steps to be prepared. A little planning today can protect what matters most tomorrow: your home, your safety, and your peace of mind.

Stay Alert & Informed

Stay informed by signing up for local emergency alerts and weather notifications. Many cities and counties offer free text or email alerts through their emergency management departments. FEMA and NOAA also offer official apps and text services for nationwide alerts.

Remember: YOUR safety comes first. Preparing your floors with the tips below can help minimize damage, but no task is more important than seeking shelter or evacuating if advised or necessary precautions are taken. 

Here are some resources to help you plan in case of evacuation or the need to shelter in place: 
Ready.gov
American Red Cross
FEMA

Know Your Risk & Prepare Your Home

Different regions face different threats. Do you live in a wildfire-prone area? In a hurricane zone? Along a floodplain? Knowing your risk allows you to take focused precautions, like:

  • Floods: Elevate critical systems and consider sump pumps or sandbags.
  • Hurricanes: Install storm shutters or impact-resistant windows.
  • Wildfires: Create a defensible space by clearing brush 30 feet from your home.
  • Earthquakes: Secure heavy furniture and water heaters to walls.
  • Blizzards: Insulate pipes and keep extra heating supplies on hand.

Check with your local emergency management agency to learn which threats are most common in your area.

💡TIP: Install a water alarm even if you’re not in a high-risk flood zone. Water alarms can catch early signs of leaks from water heaters, sewer backups, or whole-home filtration systems, giving you precious time to act before minor leaks become major floor and home repairs.

Protect Your Flooring Before the Storm

If a weather event is in the forecast, take these steps to reduce potential flooring damage:

  • Move rugs and furniture off the floor, especially if flooding is expected.
  • Seal windows and doors to prevent water seepage.
  • Roll up area rugs and move them to higher ground if possible, to prevent water from being trapped underneath.
  • Place towels or draft guards near thresholds to block wind-blown rain or snow.

What to Do if Your Floors Get Wet

Act quickly after a storm or leak—water damage can escalate fast, even if your floors look okay at first glance.

  • Remove standing water immediately. Use towels, a wet/dry vacuum, or a pump if available.
  • Dry the area thoroughly. Set up fans and dehumidifiers to circulate air and reduce moisture.

Don’t assume it’s fine—inspect below the surface:

  • Carpet: Even if the top feels dry, the padding underneath could be soaked, which can lead to mold or odors. Latex backing may also weaken.
  • Vinyl Plank: Water may not damage the planks directly, but moisture trapped underneath can lead to hidden mold and mildew.
  • Hardwood or Laminate: These materials are highly sensitive to moisture. Warping, cupping, or mold can occur quickly if water sits too long.

If you're unsure whether your flooring can be saved, reach out to your local Floor Coverings International® team—we’re here to help you assess the situation and explore your best options.

Navigating Insurance Claims

Review your coverage: 

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't always cover floods or earthquakes. Make sure you understand what your policy includes and consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary. Keep digital and paper copies of essential documents in waterproof containers or cloud storage.

💡 TIP: Document your belongings with photos or video and store them safely—this helps with faster claims processing.

Why documentation matters:

In the aftermath of a storm or water event, clear documentation can make a significant difference when filing an insurance claim. Photos of the damage, receipts, and records of your original flooring installation (along with everything else in your home!) help ensure you're compensated fairly.

Most homeowners insurance policies are designed to replace items with like kind and quality. That means the more thoroughly your flooring is documented—product details, installation records, and receipts—the more likely you are to recover the full value of what you originally had and paid for.

If your exact flooring product is still available, your insurance claim should cover its replacement. If it’s been discontinued, you’re typically entitled to a product of equal quality and value. Also, you’re not limited to replacing exactly what you had. For instance, if a room had carpet and you decide to upgrade to hardwood after a loss, your insurance payout will still be based on the cost of the carpet, but you can apply that amount toward your new flooring of choice.

If you're a Floor Coverings International® customer, you're not alone. We can provide key details from your original project, including product SKUs, material types, and color selections, to support your claim.

What adjusters often miss:

It’s common for insurance estimates to overlook important components like trim, transitions, underlayments, and even waste factors that affect material and labor costs. Having a flooring expert advocate on your behalf ensures you’re not left covering hidden costs out of pocket. Your local FCI team can help bridge that gap and advocate for a complete, accurate claim.

Who You Work with Matters

After a major storm or natural disaster, it's not uncommon to see “storm-chaser” contractors appear overnight—offering quick fixes and disappearing just as fast. Unlike temporary crews that often lack licensing, accountability, and long-term support, we’re fully insured, properly certified, and committed to your lasting satisfaction.

When you work with Floor Coverings International®, you get more than just expert installation—you get the backing of a local owner who’s part of your community and the full support of our national corporate team. We’re committed to doing the job right and standing behind it long after it’s done.

We’ll work with your insurance provider, but our first priority is YOU. From documentation to final walkthrough, we’re here to help you recover with confidence and clarity.

We’re Here for the Long Haul

Whether you’ve had your floors for years or just had them installed, we’re here for you—before, during, and after the storm. If you need help replacing damaged floors or choosing more resilient options, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re ready when you are—just a call or click away.