Building in flood zones can be a challenge, but if you have a good idea of how to build a house that will withstand flooding, it will be much easier. The first thing you should do is check whether the home you want to build is in a flood zone and consider your options for building it there.
There are some things you can do to ensure that your home is flood proof, including installing a waterproofing system and dry proofing the exterior. This will prevent water from entering the building through the roof and foundations.
You should also consider raising the base floor of your home above the NFIP base flood elevation level and make sure to raise all of the external services that are located outside of the home such as air conditioner condensers, hot water units, electrical meter boards etc. This is especially important if you live in an area that is known to experience frequent flooding and where the possibility of flood damage to your property is high.
The best way to raise a base floor is by installing an elevated foundation that can withstand the weight of floodwaters and protect the structure from the potential risk of damage. This can be achieved through the use of a solid concrete block, or by constructing the foundation on stilts.
If you are unsure about how to do this, you can contact the relevant council or hydraulic consultant.
Depending on the type of building you are designing, you may need to take additional measures. For example, if you are renovating your home in an area that is at risk of flooding, you may need to obtain approval from the local council before building.
Resilient materials that can withstand the effects of flooding include bricks, insulation, timber, doors and windows. They are usually designed to withstand direct contact with flood water for up to 72 hours, or they can be treated to make them more resistant to the effects of water.
Insulation is a key component of a house that can save it from being flooded by using materials such as closed-cell or foam insulation and fibreglass. These types of materials are much more resistant to the effects of floodwater than mineral wool and natural wool, which can be easily damaged by being immersed in water for long periods.
A number of different materials are available to use in your home that can withstand the effects of flooding, including concrete, closed-cell and foam insulation, pressure-treated or marine-grade plywood and ceramic tile. This is particularly important if you are living in a coastal region, as these materials can help keep your home and your belongings safe from the dangers of flooding.
It is worth noting that a lot of these types of materials aren’t easy to find, so you should be prepared to improvise if you can’t find them locally. If you don’t have access to any of these materials, you can still make your house more resistant to flooding by ensuring that it is built on a solid foundation and by using resilient materials in all areas where there is the possibility of flooding.
