Many homeowners opt to raise their homes or lift their home’s living space above its original foundation safely out of flood level. Contractors then extend, enlarge, or replace the existing foundation below the home. Are you considering raising your home? Here are three reasons to raise your home.
1. Your City or County Requires You Raise Your Home
Some cities have begun to require homeowners with property within a 100-year floodplain or other areas prone to flooding to raise their homes. For example, Harris County, Texas compels owners to raise their home if the cost of repairs from a flood equals or exceed 50% of its value before Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Residents must do so in order to be eligible for future assistance from FEMA or to purchase flood insurance.
The requirement to raise homes in flood zones helps lessen flood damage and its staggering costs. Doing so helps reduce some of the financial burdens placed on FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Fund when widespread flood damage occurs.
Some cities may allow homeowners to appeal a designation. If your city requires your home be elevated, you might want to consider the benefits of raising your home rather than appeal the designation. Raising your home ensures its safe as big rain events in Texas seem to be on the rise. Additionally, an elevated home is more valuable, which gives you an advantage over homes with standard foundations when you want to sell.
2. You Want to Avoid Expensive Flood Damage Costs
You have good reason to raise your home even if your city or county does not require you to do so. The unique empty space beneath a raised home allows flood waters and debris to enter and exit while the living space of your home above remains safe.
Frequent floods in Texas can be financially devastating, and the anguish associated with cleanup and recovery is real. Elevated homes help homeowners avoid the high cost of flood damage repair. Hurricane Harvey alone caused $125 billion in damage.
Keep in mind that other flood-related costs exist when your home is not raised. Flood insurance premiums are higher for homes that remain at base flood elevation. For example, insurance for a home at base elevation is around $1400 per year. However, that premium drops to an unbelievable $427 per year when you elevate your home three feet above base flood elevation.
You can avoid expensive flood damage and even pay less for flood insurance when you choose to invest in a raised home.
3. Your Home Shows Signs of Foundation Problems
Your home can benefit from a new elevation above the ground even if you live in an area not prone to flooding from hurricanes, heavy rains, or swollen waterways. Some homes suffer foundation issues without a massive introduction of water.
Before the introduction of modern concrete slabs foundations, some older homes contain a pier and wooden beam foundation design that may be economical but has weaknesses. Wood piers decay, settle, and ultimately offer less support than concrete.
Even concrete foundations can become unstable, tilt, and crack. Poor soil compaction beneath a foundation can cause concrete or wood to sink. Tree roots can interfere with soil placement near your foundation and crack concrete. Poor drainage from normal rain events makes the ground swell in freezing temperatures to upheave a foundation. A plumbing leak beneath your slab can produce enough water to affect a foundation.
Outside influences on a foundation can have noticeable effects on your home. New or spreading cracks in exterior brickwork may mean a shifting foundation. Other signs that might indicate a foundation in the throes of a tilt include:
• Doors and windows that won’t shut tight
• Uneven floorboards
• Cabinets and countertops that separate from the wall
Your foundation may need new piers or piles to better support the weight of your home. Contact the experts at Du-West for help with a deteriorating foundation. Or, ask us how we can raise your home to a new level of flood protection.
