Building a flood proof house is a great way to guard against the devastating effects of a flood. Though it might not guarantee complete protection, it will definitely help you save thousands of dollars in the long run.
Given below are 5 ways to build a flood proof house.
1. Build Your House On An Elevated Platform
If you are building your house in an area which is prone to floods, you should look into a good flood proof elevation design. The height of the required elevation should be calculated according to the base flood elevation of your area. The elevation can be accomplished using slab foundations, concrete columns or pilings. A new foundation can be built on an existing foundation of the house by temporarily raising the house using hydraulic jacks.
Elevation also reduces the risk of damaging valuable appliances and systems like air conditioning units, boilers, heating systems and others. These are usually located at the lowest floor of the house and are more prone to the direct effects of a flood.
2. Invest In Flood Friendly Landscaping
There are many features you can incorporate in your landscape design to prevent flood damage. Investing in good quality drainage systems can control flooding. For example surface drainage systems redirect the water to downspots or pipes. They are designed to carry excess water away from the foundation of the house and adjoining paved areas like paths and sidewalks.
Catch basins deal with above ground run off and feed it to underground drain pipes. You can also build swales along the elevation contour lines to collect run-off and enable infiltration into the soil. Try to minimise the use of concrete and tiles in your backyard if you live in a flood prone area. You can take the help of a professional flood landscaping company who will formulate a proper landscaping plan for your home.
3. Surround Your House With Flood Walls
Flood walls are a good precautionary measure to safeguard your home from the direct effects of floods. They are strong flood resistant barriers which are built around your house and are designed to resist hydrostatic pressure. Reinforced concrete is the most common material used for construction of flood walls. Masonry and metal bars are also used for extra stability.
There are different kinds of flood walls like cantilever, gravity and buttress walls. Cantilever flood walls are built from concrete and are the most commonly used kinds of walls. You can also make use of sheet pile installation services for building embankments around your home. Before you start building a flood wall around your home, you have to contact the property board or site manager to check whether the zoning laws allow it.
4. Use Dry Floodproofing Techniques
Dry floodproofing is mainly concerned with incorporating waterproof elements on the exterior of your house. A water repellent coating is attached to the surface and this acts as a sealant which protects the structure from flood damage. This includes sealing doors, windows and other vulnerable entry points.
A waterproof veneer or membrane is attached to the outer surfaces and walls. Dry floodproofing also includes the installation of backflow valves in your home sewer lines. This prevents sewer backup through the drain pipes in case of a flood. Permanent floodproofing cannot be done by inexperienced people and requires certain licenses and permits.
5. Try Wet Floodproofing
Wet floodproofing is concerned with damage control inside the home or building. This is very different from dry floodproofing which deals with the outer proofing before water enters the house. All the elements inside the house like ceilings, walls, roofs and stairs must be built from flood resistant materials since they are vulnerable to flood damage. Before you flood proof anything you should get a building permit. Wet floodproofing is less expensive than dry floodproofing but is also less effective. This is because it is harder to control damage after the entry of water.
Conclusion
It is always good to take necessary precautions for flood damage control even if it means making some heavy investments. If you don’t have much knowledge about floodproofing, consult an expert who will guide you through the process.
