The flood vent has an elongated box-shaped frame having a top end, a
bottom end including a floor, and opposing sidewalls that define a fluid
passageway. The frame has an open front and a track formed in the rear of
the frame. A door is slidably mounted in the track so that a normally
closed position blocks the fluid passageway. The door is sufficiently
buoyant to permit floodwater to float the door in the track and, thus, to
automatically vent excess water through the fluid passageway. Installed
in a crawl space, basement, or similar structure, the venting action of
the flood vent limits hydrostatic pressure buildup against the walls of
the structure when floodwaters rise, thus preventing structural damage
from occurring.