Choosing Flood-Resistant Flooring for a Flip Property

I’m comparing flooring options for a flip property where floodwater could reach approximately 6 to 12 inches and remain for up to 24 hours. The main level is over a concrete slab, with no basement, but I’m still concerned about contaminated water, drying time, and how much of the finish would need to be removed after an event.

Sheet vinyl is attractive because it has a lower upfront cost, installs quickly, and can be replaced relatively easily. However, I’m unsure how well the seams, adhesive, perimeter edges, and any underlayment would perform after flood exposure. If water gets beneath the sheet, the flooring may look intact while the slab and adhesive remain damp.

Tile or sealed concrete should tolerate moisture better and may be easier to clean, but tile brings higher installation labor, grout maintenance, and the possibility of cracked tiles or damaged transitions. Sealed concrete could be durable, although it may have less resale appeal in living areas unless finished carefully.

I’m also considering the details around the flooring rather than just the surface:

- Whether to avoid absorbent underlayment and use a compatible adhesive system
- Removing MDF baseboards in favor of a more moisture-tolerant trim
- How flooring should terminate at flood-resistant cabinetry
- Whether tile transitions create problems at doors and between rooms
- How long the slab should be dried and tested before reinstalling flooring after contaminated water exposure

For a property intended for resale, would the lower initial cost and simpler replacement of sheet vinyl outweigh the longer-term durability of tile or sealed concrete? I’m especially interested in how others have balanced cleanup, buyer appeal, installation cost, and the labor of replacing baseboards or cabinet toe-kicks after a flood.