Living in Florida comes with many great perks: We have mild weather year-round, white sand beaches, beautiful views, and it’s a quick trip to the Caribbean. It also comes with having lakes and beaches everywhere, and a five months long hurricane season.
Previously, we discussed ways in which you can incorporate certain construction elements into your project, to make your structure more likely to withstand strong hurricane winds. But what about floods? Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to mitigate any future flood damage.
- Raised platforms: I know, I know. This one seems so obvious. But if it is, why aren’t more people doing it? Every summer, without fail, we read news about how South Tampa is so flooded, a kayak is a more efficient mode of transportation than a car. If you’re scouting for areas to build a property from scratch, as part of your due diligence, find out how often other properties in the neighborhood have flooded in the past. And if the plot of land you want is where The Little Mermaid was filmed, construct accordingly.
- Swales: When designing your landscape, it’s a good idea to incorporate swales into your building’s perimeter. The downhill trench will not only assist in preventing too much flood water from coming inside your building, but it also helps you drain too much accumulated rain from the lovely thunderstorms we get every summer.
- Tile flooring: Yes, hardwood floors like nice and fancy, and carpeting may give your office a more traditional feel, but if you’re in a high-risk flood zone, it’s going to be a big pain in the… bass to deal with the aftermath of soaked wood or fabric. The longer it takes you to recover from flood damage, the longer you’ll be out of business. And who wants to not make any money?
- Drainage in driveways: When constructing your driveway, make sure it slopes down, away from your entrance. Install French drains. For you non-construction people, this type of drain reroutes water away from your garden or backyard. That said, it only works if the amount of water is reasonable. If a tsunami is hitting our coasts, it won’t really matter. But you do what you can, right?
To ensure the most efficient construction project, you need to hire experts in the field. At Eclipse Building Corp., we are happy to answer any of your questions. Contact us and let’s talk about what you have in mind. We’ll help you make it a reality.