FLOOD02422

• County: Statewide
• Community: Nationwide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Flood Proofing: Example of Raising a Private Residence
• Date: 3/1/1977
• Prepared By: US Army Corps of Engineers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

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It is important that the local building codes be reviewed,
especially those codes pertaining to heating, plumbing, and elec-
trical modifications. Also, the owner should investigate the local
regulations on construction in the flood plain since many communities
have strict requirements for foundations that are subject to flood-
ing. Most of these regulations require adequate openings in the
foundation to avoid hydraulic loading that would collapse the
foundation and to avoid a loss of flood plain storage. The require-
ments for providing openings will vary and, therefore, should be
checked in advance of completing the final plans. A thorough review
of all local building regulations will minimize later conflicts in
obtaining permits and passing inspections.

The owner can then proceed with the development of his plans or
with an architect for contracting this work.

During this stage, he would also be well advised to make initial
contacts with and to investigate various moving and building contrac-
tors. A list can be prepared of those judged to be most suitable
for, and willing to undertake, the job.

Planning - It should be noted that even though it is not a ,
requirement, it is desirable that a professional architect be contracted
to prepare the "detail" plans as the cost will be a low percentage of
the total. His experience and knowledge will prove invaluable. The
owner should present his ideas to the architect both in tabular form
and by rough pencil sketches. He should also furnish the data obtair.ed
in the preplanning stage.

Two sets of plans should be developed - one for the house moving
contractor and one for the building contractor.

The raising plans for the structure should include the details
for the support placement. It is important that care be used in
placing this support. The construction of the structure is the
determining factor in this placement. The main floor beams should be
crossed at right angles and the bearing walls must be given adequate
support. Special attention is needed in the planning for carrying
the loads of unusually heavy items such as the chimney(s) and fire-
pl ace(s).

It is necessary to also give special attention to the support of
any part of the structure that has been an "addition." It is worthy
of mention that, in the case of the house for which this report is
prepared, the house-moving contractor was required to disconnect all

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