Showing results 1 - 100 of 146
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Impervious surfaces like patio slabs, sidewalks, and driveways that are within 10 feet of the home should slope away from the house.
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A continuum of green (soft) to grey (hard) shoreline stabilization techniques used to mitigate the effects of erosion
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A dry hydrant is a pipe a homeowner can have installed in a natural water source on their rural property to provide easy access to the water by firefighting crews.
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A FIRM will identify specific SFHAs (colored and hatched areas) and localized BFEs (wavy black lines)
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A professional tree survey should be made prior to construction to assess the health and usefulness of each tree surrounding the future home and to determine which trees on a building site should be preserved.
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An erosion control blanket protects the slope from erosion and provides favorable conditions for bank revegetation
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Careful landscaping can preserve roof-top solar exposure and provide shading to help control solar gain through windows.
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Comprehensive water management features include a capillary break (≥ 6-mil polyethylene sheeting) at all crawlspace floors
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Create defensible space against wildfires by limiting fire fuels in the immediate, intermediate, and extended zones around the home
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Defensible space and ignition resistant building materials saved this home from a wildland fire that destroyed the neighboring home in the foreground
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Dry wells are underground tanks that store water to percolate or drain slowly to another site or sewer.
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Dune erosion caused by the combination of a hurricane and a nor’easter in Ocean City, New Jersey
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Example of an earth-sheltered home in hot climate Tempe, AZ uses the cooling properties of the ground to decrease cooling costs
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Example of setback from wildland vegetation Image title: Homes sited on hills in wildfire prone areas should be set back at least 50 feet from downslope wildland vegetation.
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Flood hazard risk for a particular location can be assessed by viewing flood maps on the NFHL Viewer
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Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.
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Gutters and downspouts direct rainwater down and away from buildings to keep building walls and foundations drier
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Homes sited on hills in wildfire prone areas should be set back at least 50 feet from downslope wildland vegetation.
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In hot climate zones, shade building surface with vegetation for passive cooling.
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In the middle of summer, the sun shines most directly on the east and west sides of a house, while in winter it shines mostly from the south.
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Installation of an erosion control blanket to minimize soil loss on sloped ground that has no established vegetation
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Keep mulch away from trunk of the tree to allow air circulation at the root collar.
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Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.
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Large deciduous trees provide heat-blocking shade to the walls and windows of this house.
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Leave the soil level around an existing trunk as is (left); do not increase soil height (center) or remove soil in the root zone (right).
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Minimum horizontal clearance between trees and plants on various slopes for wildfire resistance
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On ocean-front lots set the home as far back on the lot as possible, preferably with a protective dune between structures and shoreline.
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Patio slabs, porch slabs, walks, and driveways sloped ≥ 0.25 in. per ft. away from home to edge of surface, or 10 ft., whichever is less
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Planting deep-rooted native grasses and shrubs on the banks of shorelines can help reduce the effects of erosion on sandy slopes
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Proper gutter and downspout system terminates with final grade sloping away from the home
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Recommended tree spacing for wildfire resistance within the three defensible space zones (Source: Preparing Homes for Wildfire
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Retaining walls can prevent erosion and landslides and maintain access to critical infrastructure
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Right - Basement slab with a capillary break of either gravel or a drainage mat.
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Right - Below-grade concrete has been properly sealed against moisture and is now having insulation installed.
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Right - Dense vines growing on a covered trellis along the west side of this home provide effective shade for the wall and windows and create a shaded, protected walkway and outdoor seating area.
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Right - Lawn clippings were placed evenly to create a layer of mulch around the garden.
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Right - Mulch covers the empty spaces in this garden, retaining moisture, moderating temperatures, and providing nutrients as it decomposes.
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Right - This builder preserved the trees around this new urban-infill home, providing excellent shading in the summer.
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Right - This tree has been given space around the roots to allow for proper growth and expansion of the tree over time.
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Right – Polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is installed and sealed to the crawlspace walls with mastic
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Right – The canopy of this tree is high enough to allow views out the windows of this home while providing excellent shade to walls, windows, and roof.
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Right – The drain slopes away from the foundation and terminates at the proper distance
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Right – The drain tile connects to a sump pump which will pump water away from the foundation
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Right – The drain tile is installed along the bottom of the entire foundation footing
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Right – The drain tile is wrapped in fabric which will prevent it clogging with debris
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Right – The insulated concrete forms that are below-grade have a damp-proof coating to prevent moisture seeping into the foundation
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Right – This shrub has been pruned to allow views out the windows of this home while providing shade to walls, windows, and roof.
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Right – This tree shades walls, windows, roofs, and grounds for two adjacent homes.
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Right – Trimming tree branches a minimum of 10 feet from the house or any attached structures reduces the risk of home ignition.
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Right – Trimming tree canopies a minimum of 10 feet from the house reduces the risk of home ignition.
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Riprap is used as a common erosion control technique along beachfronts and streambanks
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Soil types include sand, silt, and clay- the more sand, the more quickly the soil drains.
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Super-heated air and gases from wildfires will dry and heat the fuel, both vegetation and structures, in the path of the oncoming, uphill-moving fire.
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The below-grade wall assembly includes dampproofing, draining details, and insulation.
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The pilings for this building are showing signs of failure due to a poor siting decision to locate the home too close to the surf.