BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

This home constructed in a V Zone in Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, had the bottom beam of the lowest floor at the BFE (dashed line) but the estimated wave crest during Hurricane Ike was 3 to 4 feet higher (solid line).

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Buildings damaged by a hurricane storm surge: upper homes on gulf shoreline were hit by large waves above the lowest floor, lower left home on bay and right school 1.3 miles from gulf shoreline were hit by surge and small waves.

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A raised wood pier foundation can raise the subfloor above the design flood elevation.

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The components of a framed wall include from inside to out: gypsum, wood studs, OSB or plywood sheathing, and siding.

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How to Correctly Construct a Garage Floor Elevation

Video

Video describing how a garage floor should be constructed with elevation changes to prevent storm or flood water intrusion.

Recommended Lowest Floor Elevation to Minimize Coastal Flood Damage.

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Wet Floodproofing

Video

Video explaining the practicality behind the idea of wet floodproofing and its applications per LSU AgCenter guidelines.

Locations and causes of common water intrusion problems in homes.

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In Coastal A Zones and V Zones best practice is to construct the home so the bottom support of the lowest floor is above the 100-year wave crest elevation.

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Right – Correct fasteners and nailing pattern for structural wall sheathing

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Recommended construction for homes in Zone B (areas of moderate flood hazard between the 100-yr and 500-yr flood) and Zones C and X (areas of minimal flood hazard above the 500-yr flood).

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Protect Your Home from Flood Damage

Video

Video showing steps to protect homes from flood damage using both dry flood-proofing and wet flood-proofing methods per FLASH Strong Homes guidelines.

For homes built in V Zones a registered professional engineer or architect must certify that the lowest floor elevation is above the BFE and piles and structure are anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement due to combined wind and water

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APA Building for High Wind Resistance in Light-Frame Wood Construction

Reference

A publication highlighting recommendations that contribute to improved overall performance in the structural shell and focus on good connection details to tie together exterior walls, roofs and floors.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Case Study

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

Flooding Overview

Information Guide

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.

Advanced Framing: Minimum Wall Studs

Guide

Guide describing how to frame a wall with minimal wall studs to prevent heat losses and gains through walls.