By Peter Roos
Virtually every single-story home in St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island was flooded recently, many for the very first time since many of them were built in the mid-fifties. Some residents have decided that once is enough and they have decided to move to higher ground. Others are considering elevating their homes or are looking at ways to make them more flood resistant. Elevating costs $100-$160 per square foot according to Modern Movers’ website, www.modernmovers.com, which identifies that company as the premier company in Florida for that service. They claim they have successfully elevated virtually all types of homes, from concrete slab and block to all wood homes and everything in between. Benefits include:
Flood Protection: Elevating a structure above the flood level will protect against potential water-related damage, especially in flood-prone areas.
Additional Living Space: Home lifting creates new usable space beneath the lifted structure. This added space can be utilized for various purposes, such as creating a basement, garage, or storage area, thereby increasing the overall functional capacity of the property.
Structural Reinforcement: Lifting a home can be a solution for properties with compromised foundations or structural issues. This process reinforces and repairs the foundation, which can contribute to the long-term stability and durability of the entire structure.
Property Value Enhancement: A home-lifting project will significantly increase the value of your property by improving the home’s structural integrity, adding extra living space, and making the property more attractive to potential buyers or renters in the future.
Cost-Effectiveness: In some cases, lifting a home can be a more cost-effective alternative to rebuilding, especially when dealing with flood damage or foundation repairs. It allows homeowners to address structural concerns without extensive demolition or reconstruction.
Another potential solution to prevent future recurrence of the need to replace sheetrock after the next flood, if you can get it, is the Endura Board system from www.enduraflood.com. “We are EnduraFlood, a group of folks on a mission to reduce your stress when confronted with water intrusion into your home. We have lived through flooded homes ourselves, and we know how traumatic the experience can be. Our product is the first (and only) drywall that eliminates the need for messy sheetrock repair, so that you and your family can have more peace of mind during the next storm. We empower you to take control of flood issues with simple, easy-to-install products that stand the test of time. Their product is made of PVC, similar to the plastic fences that even stand up to years of exposure to the intense Florida sun.
The genius part is that their wall panels are easily removable and cleanable after a flood, making recovery of flood prone homes far quicker, easier and less expensive than replacing sheetrock. There are many reviews from Florida users that installed the product after Hurricane Idalia that testify to the benefits of reusable wallboard.
Paradise News is dedicated to helping our readers recover from the recent hurricanes. We are looking for reputable contractors and subs who are not already booked months in advance, as well as products and services our readers should consider. Please contact Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com or call 813-230-3965.