BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

The plywood panels on the underside of this house blew away in hurricane wind speeds of 105 to 115 mph due to corrosion of existing nails, excessive space between nails, and use of nails instead of screws.

The plywood panels on the underside of this house blew away in hurricane wind speeds of 105 to 115 mph due to corrosion of existing nails, excessive space between nails, and use of nails instead of screws.

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This garage door was blown from its track by positive wind pressure and adhesive-set roof tiles were pulled up but the windows were protected by roll-up shutters from the 140 to 160 mph hurricane winds.

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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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Elevated slab construction with no water sensitive materials on first level

Elevated slab construction with no water sensitive materials on first level

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Moisture-resistant plastic and fiber cement exterior trim and cladding are indistinguishable from wood building elements.

Moisture-resistant plastic and fiber cement exterior trim and cladding are indistinguishable from wood building elements.

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New Charleston, SC home's first level used as parking, storage, and access space

New Charleston, SC home's first level used as parking, storage, and access space

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A rooftop rainwater collection system.

A rooftop rainwater collection system.

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House Raising After Harvey

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Video from Houston Public Media explaining the process of raising homes in Houston to avoid flooding from another natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey.

Foundation for concrete floors for flood-prone areas.

Foundation for concrete floors for flood-prone areas.

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Construction layers in a typical framed wall.

Construction layers in a typical framed wall.

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Masonry columns for open pier foundations for flood-prone areas.

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Wood posts for open pier foundations for flood-prone areas.

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Foundation for Wood-Framed Floors for flood-prone areas.

Foundation for Wood-Framed Floors for flood-prone areas.

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Rebar type and placement to reinforce masonry walls.

Rebar type and placement to reinforce masonry walls.

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Right - Flood vents open to allow flood waters to flow through a crawlspace.

Right - Flood vents open to allow flood waters to flow through a crawlspace.

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This concrete block foundation cracked due to lack of steel rebar reinforcement.

This concrete block foundation cracked due to lack of steel rebar reinforcement.

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This poured concrete foundation failed due to use of incorrect concrete mix.

This poured concrete foundation failed due to use of incorrect concrete mix.

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This home was incorrectly sited and supported too near a slope consisting of unstable soils.

This home was incorrectly sited and supported too near a slope consisting of unstable soils.

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High winds pulled part of the roof off this gable-roofed home.

High winds pulled part of the roof off this gable-roofed home.

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Encourage dune formation by installing sand fences or pallets and planting dune grasses.

Encourage dune formation by installing sand fences or pallets and planting dune grasses.

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Right - Elevate HVAC equipment on platforms to protect it from flood damage.

Right - Elevate HVAC equipment on platforms to protect it from flood damage.

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Right - In areas prone to costal flooding, elevate the bottom floor well above the design flood elevation.

Right - In areas prone to costal flooding, elevate the bottom floor well above the design flood elevation.

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Wrong - Mold can spread rapidly in flood damaged homes if materials aren't dried quickly.

Wrong - Mold can spread rapidly in flood damaged homes if materials aren't dried quickly.

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Right - Use flood-damage-resistant materials for decks and portions of the house below the design flood elevation.

Right - Use flood-damage-resistant materials for decks and portions of the house below the design flood elevation.

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Dry wells are underground tanks that store water to percolate or drain slowly to another site or sewer.

Dry wells are underground tanks that store water to percolate or drain slowly to another site or sewer.

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Heavy rains destabilized the soil beneath this multi-story home in Puerto Rico.

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This swale and berm slow the flow of stormwater across a site to minimize erosion.

This swale and berm slow the flow of stormwater across a site to minimize erosion.

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Ridges can be constructed and planted to slow the downward flow of water and stabilize slopes.

Ridges can be constructed and planted to slow the downward flow of water and stabilize slopes.

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

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

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Glass blocks allow in daylight while maintaining privacy and also provide protection against high winds and floods.

Glass blocks allow in daylight while maintaining privacy and also provide protection against high winds and floods.

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