BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

A concrete slab floor can be elevated above local grade as a strategy to prevent flood damage.

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Right - Poured concrete basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam.

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Right - The concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall has exterior insulation; the footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

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Right - Poured concrete basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the outside of the rigid foam.

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Right - This concrete basement wall is insulated on the interior basement walls with spray foam and under the slab with rigid foam; footing details are shown.

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Right - This poured concrete basement wall is insulated on the exterior and under the slab with rigid insulation; footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

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Right - Concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam.

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A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

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Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Right - Potential locations for basement insulation in new construction, slab insulation should always be underneath, with walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) sandwiched inside, or (d) inside and outside of walls.

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Vertical Radon Ventilation Pipe

Guide

Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.

Radon Fan

Guide

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan to actively remove radon from the home.

Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance of Basement, Crawl Space, and Crawl Space with Cripple Wall Foundations

Guide

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

Footing Drain Pipe

Guide

Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.

Drain or Sump Pump Installed in Basements or Crawlspaces

Guide

Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Flooding Overview

Information Guide

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Design and Retrofit for Flood Protection

Information Guide

Information guide describing flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience of homes during a flood.