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| Upcoming LaHouse Seminars and Events Check out LaHouse seminars and events -- horticulture Lunch and Learn, Master Gardener Training, Lead Certified Renovator Training, other best building practice seminars, seasonal Saturday events and more. |
| [Image: Flooded house]Flood Recovery Information From this page, you will be able to access information on a variety of issues related to flood recovery. |
| [Image: The 5 criteria and benefits of sustainable housing and landscaping]Sponsors & Partners See and connect to the websites of LaHouse Key Contributors, Partners, Allies. Also see a table of Product and Service Donors by product category. |
| [Image: rendering]LaHouse-Home and Landscape Resource Center A research-based showcase of solutions and educational programs to help you shape the future with homes that offer MORE benefits with LESS .... |
| [Image: My House Family]My House, My Home Whenever you build, remodel or buy a home, you have the power of choice. Use this science-based guide to take control of your investment and enjoy a high-performance home that offers so much more than shelter and style alone. |
| [Image: The Green Project Graphic]The Green Project - Recycling Building Materials, Art Supplies and More The Green Project is a nonprofit organization located in New Orleans that salvages, collects, and recycles building materials. Materials in usuable condition are then re-sold to the public at a fraction of retail costs. The Green Project also provides a recycling center for the public and takes cardboard, paper, aluminum cans, and household electronic waste. |
| [Image: Image 1]Tetramorium bicarinatum: Pavement Ants Identification, biology and treatment of pavement ants |
| [Image: Image 1]Little Black Ant Management in Structures Identification, biology, and treatment of Little Black Ants. |
| [Image: Pest Ant Pub Cover]The Pest Ants of Louisiana: A Guide to Their Identification, Biology and Control Ants range from mildly irritating to highly annoying. Knowing the species, its biology and potential control methods can help you manage them. This is a useful reference for pest management professionals, extension personnel and homeowners. A key to ants, color photographs, diagrams and a glossary are included. Spiral-bound copies are available for $12.50 each. To purchase using a major credit card, click on "order publication." |
| [Image: Formosan Subterranean Temite Damage and Detection]Formosan Subterranean Termite Damage and Detection Most people are aware of the damage fire and severe weather can do to their homes, but many overlook the threat of termites. Photos of termite damage and signs of termite infestation are included in this publication, which covers Formosan subterranean termites and other subterranean termites. |
| [Image: Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas]Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas Properly identifying the ant species is the first step in determining whether and how to control them. In this publication there are options for managing various kinds of imported fire ant problems. |
| [Image: drywood termite head]Heads of Termites Heads of the types of termites in Louisiana are shown. |
| Overview for Integrated Pest Management of Subterranean Termites in Louisiana This article provides an overview of integrated pest management of subterranean termites in Louisiana. |
| Floodproofing Grant Programs & Insurance Coverage Several communities in Louisiana have participated in federal grant programs for which on-site protection of private property is an eligible activity. These programs fund elevation or relocation of floodprone buildings, purchase of floodprone properties and, for non-residential buildings, dry floodproofing. Drainage improvements are also eligible. |
| [Image: cut-away showing hurricane connectors in MBR closet family shelter]LaHouse Summer Saturday Open House LaHouse opens it doors to the public on one Saturday per season. |
| [Image: Fire Ant Control]Broadcast Baits for Fire Ant Control A Southern IPM Center publication. When choosing a broadcast bait to control imported fire ants, consumers and professional pesticide applicators face a confusing array of brand names and active ingredients with varying product performances. This guide addresses common concerns about broadcast baits to help consumers and professionals choose products that best fit their needs and situations. (PDF Format Only) |
| [Image: moldy home]Mold Control and Remediation Training 24-hour course provides information, building science insights and methods for safe and effective mold removal and control in buildings. |
| Lead Certified Renovator Training (RRP) Contractors are now required to be lead-certified for the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). You play an important role in preventing lead poisoning. Are you ready? |
| LaHouse Key Contributors List of donors to LaHouse project. |
| Product Donors by Category Categorical table of LaHouse Products and Services, listing donor sources, the specific items or services and their location in LaHouse. |
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| Water-inflated Barriers Series Water-inflated tubing is a new and effective emergency method of closing a gap, temporarily raising the height of an existing levee or putting a barrier around a building. |
| Donate an Inscribed Brick to Help Pave a Path of LaHouse Donate an inscribed brick to be permanently installed on a walkway or trail of the scenic LaHouse landscape exhibit. |
| A Portrait of the Vision The new master site plan creates a portrait of the vision for Louisiana House – Home and Landscape Resource Center. It shows the long-range plan for its seven-acre site on Gourier Lane, west of Nicholson Drive and adjacent to the LSU golf course and shop. |
| Inscribed Brick Order Form Imagine walking through beautifully landscaped grounds and seeing a brick paver with your name permanently engraved on it. |
| Best Ways to Cut Costs of Keeping Cool You probably think of an air conditioner as something that puts cool air in your homes, but what it really does is remove heat from your home. So an understanding of how heat gets in your home is the key to choosing the most cost-effective ways to cut summer utility bills while staying cool and comfortable. |
| Best Ways to Cut Costs of Keeping Cool You probably think of an air conditioner as something that puts cool air in your homes, but what it really does is remove heat from your home. So an understanding of how heat gets in your home is the key to choosing the most cost-effective ways to cut summer utility bills while staying cool and comfortable. |
| Emergency Procedures for Disinfecting a Flooded Well A description of the procedures for disinfecting a water well after a flood. |
| LaHouse: Open House Schedule LaHouse is open to walk-in visitors Monday - Friday. |
| About LaHouse Resource Center Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center |
| What to do When Your Air Conditioner Goes Out Replacing an air conditioning unit can be a daunting experience for some people. But, for those who know what to do, this task can be a chance to upgrade the existing unit and install more modern equipment that will prove worthwhile in both comfort and cost. |
| Added Strength Equals Added Insulation For Home Neighbors nicknamed Warren Lawrence’s home in Plaquemines Parish Fort St. Lawrence. Lawrence added special features to his home such as walls constructed of insulated concrete form. His home is outside of levee protection and vulnerable to storms. |
| Reinforced House Withstands Storms (TV News For 11/21/05) Added safety measures can make a difference on a home when a storm threatens. The proof stands on a corner lot in a development in Plaquemines Parish. |
| Mitigation Success Stories Track the progress of reconstruction in Katrina and Rita recovery, learn about the successful projects of you Louisiana neighbors, become more aware of fraudulent activities and scams. Tell us about successes and scams that should be shared with others involved in rebuilding a safer ,stronger, smarter Louisiana. |
| Renewable Energy and Zero Energy Homes Use of renewable fuels, fuel cells, and photovoltaics can help homeowners achieve energy efficiency. |
| Home Adjustments Can Save Energy and Money Energy prices are volatile. Consumers can take control of their energy bills by make adjustments to their homes for the winter. One way to save energy is by curbing air leakage inside the home. (Runtime: 60 seconds) |
| Home Exhibits Energy-Saving Techniques With rising energy costs, energy efficiency is now on the minds of many homeowners. Homeowners and potential homeowners can see examples of simple methods, as well as high-end methods of reducing the energy consumption of a home by visiting LaHouse, the LSU AgCenter's demonstration home. (Runtime: 60 seconds) |
| HVAC - Efficient Cooling and Heating Taking steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems could help reduce your utility bills, and increase your comfort at home. Make Energy Star® smart decisions when it comes to your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, read here for important details. |
| Lighting with Fewer Watts, Less Heat Lighting can account for 15% of a home’s yearly electric bill. Lights not only use energy to operate, they produce heat that must be removed by the air conditioning system. Energy-efficient lighting saves on electric bills, helps keep the home cooler and lasts longer than traditional incandescent lighting. |
| Insulation Systems with Good 'Whole Wall' R-values R-value is standardized measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow — the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating ability. However, the actual R-value of a wall or ceiling can be a lot less than the R-value of the insulation material in it, depending on the installation. |
| Select Proper Windows for Energy Savings Read this article to find out which windows to install in your home to help save on energy costs. |
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| Energy Efficiency An energy-efficient home lets you control the indoor climate and how much you'll pay for it. It is not only more comfortable, but also protects you from being at the mercy of unstable future energy costs. In many cases, you'll be able to save enough on downsizing your heating and cooling system to pay for the higher-efficiency products and features you need for an energy-efficient home. |
| Ideal Wall Assemblies for Hot-humid and Mixed-humid Climates In a hot-humid climate, moisture flows from outside to inside most of the year. In a mixed-humid climate, moisture flow changes direction in cooling and heating seasons. Using the proper wall assembly in your home is important for controlling moisture. |
| Tight Construction (Air Sealing) Construction gaps and resulting air leakage can increase heating and cooling costs, create comfort and moisture problems, draw in pollutants, reduce fire safety and serve as an entry for rodents and insects. Homes should have a continuous air barrier system that surrounds all conditioned space — a combination of materials linked and sealed together to create a tight building envelope with little air leakage. |
| Water Heaters with Low Life-Cycle Costs Look for ENERGY STAR water heaters and compare EnergyGuide labels to invest in water heaters with low life-cycle costs. In addition to saving money on operating costs, energy-efficient water heaters give off less waste heat than standard models, keeping rooms cooler and lowering air conditioning needs and costs. |
| Appliances with Low Life-cycle Costs Look for Energy Star appliances and compare EnergyGuide labels to invest in appliances with a low life cycle cost. |
| Design for Passive Solar Winter Benefits A passive solar home is designed to admit and store energy from the sun in winter for solar heating. |
| Design House to Minimize Solar Heat Gain Houses can be designed so that occupants can get the most or least light and/or heat generated by the sun. |
| Energy Tax Credits for 2009 and Beyond Credits for renewable energy apply for systems in place by December 31, 2016. Other credits were for improvements in place by December 31, 2010. These one-time tax credits still apply only to improvements to the taxpayer’s primary residence (not rental property). (Editor's Note: Stuart Broussard contributed to this report.) |
| Elevation Protects House When Craig Lee began planning the construction of his Vermilion Parish home, he learned he would be required to elevate his new house more than 8 feet above grade in order to receive a building permit. He did not understand the parish’s requirement to elevate because his brother’s house was on-grade, on the same piece of land, and in 25 years had never flooded. In September 2005, Hurricane Rita provided the unfortunate answer to his question. |
| Do it Right...Get the Facts...Make the Choice The concept, messaging, materials and Web presence for Do it Right...Get the Facts...Make the Choice. Build Safer, Stonger, Smarter were developed for hazard mitigation during recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These products were developed by FEMA for and with the state of Louisiana, with leadership for the state being provided by extension educators at the LSU AgCenter. |
| LaHouse Facility Rental The LaHouse Teaching Center and House are available for your next event. Click above for details. |
| Chancellor's Welcome: Louisiana House -- Home and Landscape Resource Center Welcome from the LSU AgCenter's chancellor. |
| Photo Gallery - Louisiana House - Home & Landscape Resource Center Browse this photo gallery to see progress from the current stage of construction to groundbreaking, highlighting special features, products and techniques used. |
| Concrete Tile Roofing - 1st Story Roof Concrete tile is very long-lasting, yet more hail-resistant and less expensive than clay or slate. |
| Insect Repellents People who work or play outdoors are often attacked by numerous species of insects, ticks and mites. If you choose or are required to be outside when insects are active, use a repellent. This publication explains how repellents are chemical substances that protect people from insect attack by making the body unattractive or offensive to insects. A repellent does not have to kill insects to be effective, although it may. (PDF Format Only) |
| Elevation Provides the Best Protection Elevation provides the best protection for flood damage, short of relocating the house to an area that is less prone to flooding. Raising a structure does not remove it from the special flood hazard area (SFHA); therefore, it does not exempt the owner or the mortgage company from flood insurance mandates. |
| Understanding Your Flood Risk Our predecessors in Louisiana, the Indians and the early Europeans, avoided floods by vacating the floodplains during the flood season or by building their homes on higher ground and, even then, on piers. Determining flood risk is important before buying property, building a home or office, or planning a flood protection system. |
| Automatic Valves & Manual Valves This is a picture gallery of different types of back-flow valves. Three are automatic and two are manual, requiring someone to be home to close them when floodwaters rise. |
| Stopping Sewer Back-flow by Blocking Points of Entry There is an alternative to blocking the common sewer line. The alternative is to block each drain line where it enters your home - also known as the points of entry - using plugs and caps. |
| Rising Above the Flood Repetitive flooding affects thousands of Louisiana homes and businesses. In this publication and its companion videotape, a procedure to demonstrate a non-invasive method to flood proofing is explained as it was demonstrated by a Michigan contractor. Special attention is given to adapting the technology for use in Louisiana’s floodplains. (PDF format only). This is the 2005 archived version of the original 1996 publication. |
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| Floor Plans: Louisiana House - Home & Landscape Resource Center Louisiana House Floor Plans |
| LaHouse on the Move - Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center Moving and evolving with LSU’s campus master planning process over the last year, the third and final Louisiana House location, master site plan and house design were officially approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in April 2002 |
| Many Thanks to Early Key Contributors Great appreciation and a heartfelt welcome go to the newest Key Contributors for their generous gifts to the LSU Foundation for Louisiana House. |
| Getting a Building Permit Portal page for information about obtaining a building permit. |
| Instructions for using FEMA's Map Search tool Detailed Instructions for using FEMA's Map Search tool to find your house on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). |
| Information Needed to Get a Building Permit When you go to get building permt, you will need to provide certain information about your construction project. This page lists the most common items. |
| Detailed Explanation of Permitting Requirements When seeking a building permit, you may need addition documents. This page describes the Flood Zone Determination, Elevation Certificate, Foundation Plan, Damage Inspection Rating and an On-Site Waste-Water Treatment Permit. |
| House Plan Requirements To obtain a building permit you'll need a description and drawings of your construction plans. This page describes some minimum plan requirements. |
| Construction Requirements in Coastal Areas Local communities have adopted codes and floodplain regulations that govern building construction and development in floodplains. These requirements, which can apply to both new construction and repair of existing buildings, differ in different flood zones. This document details the minimum regulations. |
| Manufactured Homes - Mobile Homes, or Trailers Manufactured Homes are the buildings we have, in the past, referred to as mobile homes or trailers. While other factory-built homes are built to the codes of the area where they will be installed, manufactured homes are built to a special HUD-code and installed in accordance with HUD guidelines. Thus they are sometimes referred to as HUD-Code homes. |
| Licensing and Certifications for Professionals Portal page for information about building industry professionals, the licenses and certifications they should have and how consumers know their hired and contracted professionals have appropriate licenses and certifications for the work they are doing in Louisiana. |
| Financial Assistance for Recovering from Disaster Following a Presidential Declaration, disaster assistance is made available to help residents and local governments in the declared parishes recover from the effects of the disaster. |
| Floodwalls A floodwall is a self-supporting barrier to floodwater. It may look like a garden wall or privacy fence, but it has more internal reinforcing and a more substantial foundation. |
| Using Levees for Flood Protection A levee is a barrier that holds water away from the building. It can protect your home from flooding as well as from the force of water, scour at the foundation and impacts of floating debris. |
| Using Sandbags for Flood Protection Sandbags can be used to fill gaps in a permanent protection system, to raise an existing levee or to build a complete emergency levee. |
| Dry Floodproofing Sealing a building so water will not enter is called dry floodproofing. The interior spaces, equipment and contents of the building stay dry. |
| Basic Building Features - Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center The following is a description of basic features and components used in conceptual design of the house. |
| Groundbreaking Celebration - Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center More than 100 Contributors, Partners, Allies, team members and friends participated in the July 15, 2003, Louisiana House – Home and Landscape Resource Center (LaHouse) groundbreaking ceremony and recognition reception on the LaHouse site. |
| Landscape Topics Relating to Hurricane Damage and Recovery A summary of Landscape Topics Relating toHurricane Damage and Recovery, including: Wind Damage to Trees, Determining if Large Wind Damaged Trees Can be Salvaged, Wind Damage to Shrubs, Wind Damage to Herbaceous Plants, Flood Damage to Landscape Plantings, Food Crops, Flood Damage to Lawns, Loss of Shade Trees, LA One Call, and Soil Testing. |
| LaHouse Team The LaHouse operations staff, issue leaders, and the professional contractors and consultants involved in its design or construction. |
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| Don't Overdo Strenuous Activity in Hot, Humid Weather Precautions to take to avoid dehydration while cleaning up after a disaster. |
| Saving Wet Walls and Floors If your home was flooded, it must be disinfected and dried thoroughly to prevent mildew and future damage by wood rot. |
| Using an Electrical Generator for Emergency Power Provides information and tips for using a generator for emergency power. |
| Checklist for Earth Friendly Home Features Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of an earth friendly home in Louisiana. |
| Tips for a Family-friendly and Functional Floor Plan Follow design guidelines to make your home functional for life... |
| Low Maintenance Matters Benefits of low-maintence materials... |
| 2012 LaHouse Horticulture Lunch and Learn Seminars Learn the latest home landscape and garden best practices at the monthly LaHouse Lunch and Learn Seminars. |
| LaHouse Design is Taking Shape Following design discussions with technical experts and feedback from the extended House Design Advisory team, the original concept design was premiered at the 2001 Earth Day Festival. The new site offers a wonderful opportunity to nestle the house within a group of beautiful, shady live oak trees – so the house design is now being modified to fit the new site and its features. |
| Building Systems -- High-performance Options Building systems that integrate the five criteria for Gulf Region conditions. |
| LaHouse: Open House Schedule LaHouse is open to visitors Monday - Friday and special events. |
| LaHouse Building Systems and Features (West Wing) Description of building systems and features on the west wing of LaHouse. |
| LaHouse Building Systems and Features (Garage) A room-by-room description of the systems and features of LaHouse. |
| LaHouse Building Systems and Features (East Wing) Description of building systems and features of the East Wing of LaHouse. |
| Teaching Center Foundation and Plumbing #1 Browse this photo gallery to see progress from the current stage of construction to groundbreaking, highlighting special features, products and techniques used. |
| Mold: Important Questions, Objective Answers Conflicting information and media coverage about hazards of mold and how to handle mold problems have left many people confused, concerned and sometimes frightened. If you have or suspect a mold problem in your home, this fact sheet will help you make well-informed decisions about how to fix the problem and prevent its return. |
| LaHouse building features (Throughout) Descriptions of building features thoughout LaHouse. |
| LaHouse Building Systems and Features (Mid Section) Description of the building systems and features of the Mid-section of LaHouse. |
| Gulf Region High Performance Home Professionals List of professionals who have earned the Gulf Region High Performance Home Professional designation. |
| Mold Hazards Are Preventable In the right conditions, molds multiply and can release enough spores in the air to cause health problems. |
| Avoiding Mold Hazards in Your Water-damaged Home A flood-damaged building requires special attention to avoid or correct a mold population explosion. |
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| Avoiding Mold Hazards in Your Water-damaged Home A flood-damaged building requires special attention to avoid or correct a mold population explosion. |
| FEMA Officials Visit LaHouse To Stress Rebuilding Stronger, Safer, Smarter Federal Emergency Management Agency officials came to an LSU AgCenter educational site Wednesday (Nov. 9) to stress that rebuilding "stronger, safer and smarter" is the way to go for those affected by this summer’s hurricanes. Such construction is a major theme behind the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center. |
| For More Information About Getting Involved In LaHouse Request more information about contributing to the Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center |
| Mold Removal Guildelines for Your Home This fact sheet provides basic steps for homeowners and volunteers to use in safely cleaning up mold in their homes and preventing its regrowth. It is focused on mold resulting from flooding but is applicable to other causes as well. |
| Elongate Twig Ant Identification, biology and treatment of the elongate twig ant. |
| Building Your High-Performance Home -- Gulf Region Homeowners Guide This guide provides details on creating a home that keeps comfort affordable with high energy efficiency; is protected from mold, termites, storms, floods and other hazards; is healthy, safe and convenient for a lifetime; is a smart investment that pays dividends; and protects our environment for future generations. Cost: $15 plus tax and shipping. You can order this 88-page, sprial-bound book through our online store by using the Order Publication link below. |
| Crazy Ant Control in Structures Identification, biology and treatment of the crazy ant in structures. |
| Your Convenient and Practical Checklist Use this checklist to explore components and features of your sustainable Louisiana house. |
| Maintenance and Inspection Guidelines to Protect Your Home from Termites Treatments for termites must be integrated with proper maintenance. Eliminate as many conditions conducive to termite infestations as possible by following the five general categories of rules. |
| Housing for Hurricanes: LaHouse serves as a model for Louisiana homes The LSU AgCenter’s “LaHouse” is designed to hold up against strong winds and flooding and serve as a model for how to build homes with hurricane-resistant features in Louisiana. |
| It Pays to Maintain Your A/C Maintaining your air conditioner can save up to 30 percent on operating costs, protect it from early failure, prevent mold from developing in the system, and help it perform at its best. Follow these tips to save money and protect your health. They'll also keep you cool and comfortable this summer. |
| Insulating Raised Floors in Hot, Humid Climates This summary of a study of the subfloor moisture levels of south Louisiana, raised-foundation homes with six different insulation systems includes the resulting recommendations – all intended to help homeowners, builders, architects, insulation contractors, home inspectors and others balance energy efficiency, comfort and durability issues. |
| Insulating Raised Floors in Hot, Humid Climates This summary of a study of the subfloor moisture levels of south Louisiana, raised-foundation homes with six different insulation systems includes the resulting recommendations – all intended to help homeowners, builders, architects, insulation contractors, home inspectors and others balance energy efficiency, comfort and durability issues. |
| Gifts And In-kind Donations To LaHouse Gifts and letters of commitment for in-kind donations should be addressed to Chancellor William Richardson and mailed to this address. |
| Wind-resistant Roofs and Attatchments Proper construction techniques help to keep your roof where it belongs in a storm... |
| Programs Enhanced - LaHouse Home & Landscape Resource Center Louisiana House will support programs and interests that seek to engage citizens in taking responsibility for a sustainable future by using appropriate methods and technologies to protect their environment, property and families. |
| Entergy Honored Representing Entergy Louisiana, Renae Conley (CEO) was honored for becoming the first corporate LaHouse Diamond Key Contributor. |
| Forms of Recognition and Benefits of Getting Involved The widespread educational outreach of LaHouse will create ongoing, high exposure and promote related interests -- throughout Louisiana and the southern region. |
| Emotional Recovery Part of Disaster Aftermath Those who survive hurricanes and other natural disasters are at risk for behavioral and emotional readjustment problems. Most child and adult survivors experience one or more normal stress reactions for several days after a disaster or major trauma. |
| A brief overview of ACQ, a common wood preservative This article provides a brief overview of ACQ, one the most common treatments for wood used in residential and commercial construction. |
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| Protect Your Home from Termites Things to consider when constructing or renovating a home to protect your house from termites. |
| Integrated Pest Management of Termites and Other Wood Attacking Organisms: A Louisiana Perspective Considerations on integrated pest management of termites and other wood attacking organism are presented in depth. |
| Insulating Raised Floors in Hot, Humid Climates This summary of a study of the subfloor moisture levels of south Louisiana, raised-foundation homes with six different insulation systems includes the resulting recommendations – all intended to help homeowners, builders, architects, insulation contractors, home inspectors and others balance energy efficiency, comfort and durability issues. |
| Have You Seen This Insect? Help discover locations where the Formosan subterranean termite is not known to exist. |
| Formosan Subterranean Termite Identification & Biology One important key for successful management of a pest is to identify it. This publication can help you differentiate between ants and the dry-wood and subterranean termites that are pests in Louisiana. It also contains specific information on Formosan subterranean termites. |
| Do NOT Spread Formosan Subterranean Termites! Suggestions for preventing the spread of Formosan subterranean termites. |
| Termite Facts and Figures Damage by termites can be very expensive. A comparison of costs of using treated wood, concrete or steel in construction is presented. |
| Don't Overdo Strenuous Activity in Hot, Humid Weather Precautions to take to avoid dehydration while cleaning up after a disaster. |
| Fire Protection Options For higher levels of protection and possibly discounted property insurance, consider these options... |
| Meet LaHouse Team The original LaHouse development team. |
| Getting Started Portal Page for Getting Started. To help people organize their thoughts and affair and begin to approach their restoration or rebuilding project. |
| Rebuilding a Destroyed Home Portal Page for information that would be helpful to people getting started with a project to build a new home on the same site as their storm-damaged home. |
| Hire an Arborist for Residential Tree Needs An arborist can help you keep your trees healthy and give you peace of mind. Their professional services can help you with an array of other tree care practices, including transplanting, pruning, fertilizing and managing pests. Most arborists are also skilled in tree removal and value appraisals. You will want to read the questionnaire provided in this article to help you decide if you need any of these special services. |
| Residential Contractor In simplest terms, a residential contractor constructs or renovates a building, or supervises the construction or renovation of a building. The contractor provides labor for the job, as well as schedules each phase of the job and the professionals involved. |
| Buying and Selling Property Portal Page for information about the building industry professionals involved in buying and selling property, including real estate, banking and legal services. |
| Checklist to Use When Hiring/Working With a Contractor A checklist of recommendations from the Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors to use when hiring a contractor. |
| The Home Designer or Professional Building Designer A building designer designs residential and agricultural light frame buildings, such as single family homes. A designer also might design decorative facades for larger structures. |
| Special Services This section has information about people who provide special services related to homebuilding. These include home inspection, homeowner construction representatives, energy rating, pest control, landscape and flood and wind resistance. |
| Civil Engineers Civil engineers are concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of an altered physical or natural man-made environment. For instance, civil engineers may design bridges, roads, dams, and buildings. |
| The Residential Electrician This article informs the consumer what a residential electrician does, what licenses are required, if any, in the state of Louisiana in order for the electrician to work on your home, how to verify any licenses, and how to become an electrician. |
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| Find Qualified Real Estate Agents Louisiana law requires all real estate agents working in the state to have a license. Information on who has a license, how one can get a license, as well as information on filing a complaint can be found at the Louisiana Real Estate Commission's Web site. |
| The Real Estate Agent Real estate agents facilitate the buying and selling of property, such as land and buildings. These agents serve as representatives/negotiators for buyers and sellers. Real estate agents can serve as a “buyer’s agent” or as a “seller’s agent.” |
| Hiring a Home Inspector Lenders usually require a termite inspection and mechanical equipment inspection. A more complete inspection is a good idea. Getting a thorough inspection before you buy a home can save you thousands of dollars. |
| Home Inspection Checklist This checklist provides a list of items to look for when you inspect a new or existing house before you purchase the home. |
| Builder Interview Information Knowing what questions to ask can save you lots of money and help you find the best contractor to build your house. The Capital Region Builder's Association has provided the attached information to help you ask the right questions. |
| Professional Roles: Structural Engineers Structural engineering is a sub-specialty of civil engineering, but can also be a stand-alone degree. Structural engineers design the systems that ensure that buildings and other structures are safely supported and able to resist forces against them, such as hurricane winds. |
| Professional Roles: Home Inspectors A home inspector inspects the visible exterior and interior systems and components of a residential structure for condition, safety issues, and evidence of potential problems. It is important to note that a home inspection is different from an appraisal that determines market value, from a code-compliance inspection, and from a warranty evaluation. |
| Professional Roles – The Energy Rater An energy rater assesses a house to determine the home’s level of energy efficiency. This audit , called a rating. |
| Professional Roles -- The Landscape Architect The role of a residential landscape architect is varied and can be complex. In very broad terms, a residential landscape architect generally develops and provides design plans for a homeowner’s property that utilizes both landscape and hardscape (built structures or constructed elements such as patios or arbors) elements to provide beauty and function for the homeowner, as well as to solve any related issues. |
| Professional Role: The Residential Building Inspector The residential building inspector examines residential projects under construction to ensure they are being built according to the building codes adopted by the state and/or local municipality. In so doing, the building inspector helps protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Residential inspectors are typically employees of the local jurisdiction, but may be third-party providers. |
| Professional Roles – The Architect An architect is a design professional who designs environments in which people live, work, and play. |
| Who Needs Insurance? Almost everyone who lives in the 15 coastal parishes that... |
| Debris Disposal Proper cleanup and disposal will prevent future health and injury risks and may save time and money. Debris removal will reduce the potential for nesting by rodents, snakes and insects, or at least keep those infestations in a concentrated area away from the home. |
| Finding a Counselor This discussion of different methods of counseling and different factors to use in finding a counselor can help the consumer make good choices in selecting a mental health professional service. |
| Laws, Licenses and Permits Since November 2005, home building and home restoration in Louisiana are subject to the provisions of the International Residential Code. |
| Licensed, Bonded, and Insured - What's That? This article explains what the words "licensed, bonded, and insured" mean in the context of construction professionals. In explaining these terms, the article also states why hiring someone who is licensed, bonded, and insured is important. |
| How Wind Affects Buildings Wind affects different homes in different ways, depending on their design, location and neighboring structures. |
| Source Credits for Information Resources used in gathering information about wind resistance. |
| Professional Roles: Interior Designers An interior designer works on the interior and is specially trained in this area. Interior designers follow much of the same design steps and procedures as architects do, only the work of interior designers is specific to the interior. |
| Professional Roles: Land Surveyors Land surveyors determine legal property boundaries. They also establish subsurface mineral boundaries to determine the distribution of mineral rights. |
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| The Plumber This article describes what a plumber does and why you might need one; how a plumber gets licensed; and how the homeowner can verify the license. |
| Contracting for Permanent Repairs As you attempt to restore your life and home after a storm, the availability of local companies and individuals to perform the necessary services will be limited. It often may be advisable to do temporary repairs and wait for local contractors who will be there to guarantee their work long after the storm is over. |
| Hire Licensed Professional Arborists to Remove Storm-Damaged Trees If the recent hurricanes have landed trees on your property, Dr. Hallie Dozier of the LSU AgCenter cautions you to hire only Louisiana-licensed professional arborists remove the trees. |
| Checklist for Environmental Quality Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of an eco-friendly house in Louisiana. |
| Repair or Tear Down? Rebuild Here or Somewhere Else? “Should I repair or should I teardown?” “Should I rebuild here or should I rebuild somewhere else?”There are so many factors that play a part in answering these questions that it must seem overwhelming. |
| Making Decisions Making every day decisions is not always easy. It came be even more difficult to make a decision after a catastrophic event such as a hurricane, tornado, fire, flood windstorm. Some people may believe they don’t have any options. While there are always options, it’s not always easy for some people to decide what to do. |
| Homeowner's Glossary of Building Terms This page defines some terms used in home construction, repair and maintenance. It is not a comprehensive list but will provide a quick reference for homeowners who are unfamiliar with building terminology. Based on the Housing and Urban Development's 1996 Glossary, but expanded to include terms related to flood and wind resistance, energy, new technologies and architectural terms. |
| Mobile Homes as an Option Living in a mobile homes is one option you can consider when planning for your future housing needs. In the past, mobile homes typically were considered starter homes. But today, many people are choosing to make mobile homes their permanent dwelling. |
| Mobile Homes in Louisiana -- Fact Sheet Mobile homes have been steadily growing in popularity as a temporary and permanent primary residence for many Louisiana residents. Mobile homes can provide years of comfortable and convenient living, while giving you the most for the dollar you spend on electricity. Using the following energy conservation tips will help you to make the least of your electric bill. |
| Rebuilding Homes Provides Opportunities for Termite Protection Homeowners in South Louisiana and elsewhere in the Gulf South who are building homes should add termite protection in the process. Combining termite protection with proper strapping for wind resistance and anchoring to prevent floatation present some challenges for maintaining the integrity of the barrier.. |
| Factory-built Homes: New Orleans and the Surrounding Area Factory built homes are nearly undetectable from the street and, often, people cannot recognize, from appearance alone, the difference between a factory built home and a site built home. In New Orleans, manufacturers have been dedicated to creating stock designs that are specific to the New Orleans region. The architectural style of a typical New Orleans “shotgun” style house has been adopted and modified to create new home styles that fit seamlessly in their environments. |
| Modular Homes: Faster and More Energy Efficient For those who need fast, affordable and reliable solutions for their housing problems, modular homes might be the best solution. In contrast to what many people think, modular homes are quite different than manufactured or trailer homes. In fact, they are very similar to site-built homes. |
| Different Kinds of Factory-Built Homes "Factory-Built Home” is a generic term that refers to any home that has been predominately designed and constructed in a controlled factory or plant environment. Factory processes are extremely efficient with materials and, thus, are considered more environmentally friendly. In addition, the factory environment can provide a much greater degree of quality control, compared to on-site construction. |
| Finding out about Places You May Want to Live If you're thinking of rebuilding in a new location, and would consider moving to a new community, you can do some "long distance" research on the Internet, but visit the new community before making a decision. |
| Site-Built or Factory-Built Portal page for information about the advantages and disadvantages of site-built vs factory built homes or home components. |
| Can I Reuse My Concrete Slab? Many homes and other structures that were severely damaged in the Katrina and Rita hurricanes had been built on concrete slabs. The question that is on many homeowners’ minds is “Can I reuse the slab?” This answer will require homeowners to ask other questions that are explained in this article. |
| Ready for Rain: Introduction to Floodproofing Introductory segment from the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video with overview of flood damage reduction techniques. |
| Checklist for Healthy Indoor Air Quality Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a house in Louisiana with healthy indoor air. |
| Checklist for Hazard Resistance Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a hazard-resistant house in Louisiana. |
| The Safer, Stronger, Smarter Louisiana House - Hurricane Edition This "Hurricane Edition" is a guide to flood, wind and water resistance features you can see at the Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center (LaHouse). It was developed during the summer of 2007 for use in mid-construction open houses. Pages will be updated when features become less visible as the house is completed. |
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| Air Sealing Air sealing can be one of the most cost effective ways to reduce energy costs and increase comfort in your home. This fact sheet provides information on the most common places where air leaks in homes and how to fix these leaks. |
| Garage Garages are great places for vehicular, seasonal, and recreational equipment. A well-organized garage space allows for extra storage capabilities. There are several great ways to fill your garage with ample storage while still maintaining room for vehicles, bikes, barbecue grills, and other large equipment if necessary. |
| Bed & Bath Well-designed bedrooms and bathrooms help lead to happier and more positive attitudes. They are the usually the first and last places you visit in your day and should be designed to be relaxing and comfortable. |
| Work Spaces Kitchens, laundry areas and home offices are three types of workspace commonly found in the home environment. Despite many differences between the three, all should be designed for efficiency and productivity. Try to avoid spaces that are poorly lit, inconveniently located or overly cramped. |
| Kitchen Planning Score Sheet Use this score sheet to rate the efficiency of your kitchen – as it is now and with any planned modifications. It will help you design a more convenient and functional kitchen. Compare your “before” and “after” scores with the rating at the end of this fact sheet. (PDF Format Only) |
| Access Remedies for Your Home A majority of home-buying and building decisions are made people are in the prime of life and health. Often, primary considerations are safety for children, budget, color, floor plan, neighborhood and school districts. In a society where people live longer and where many medical conditions are treatable, planning for future lifestyles and physical limitations can be very important. This article gives some suggestions on how to design for future accessibility. |
| How Do Siting and Design Decisions Affect the Owner's Costs? A variety of costs -- not just the construction cost -- should be considered when planning a coastal home. Owners should be aware of these costs and consider how siting and design decisions will affect these costs. This information is part of FEMA's Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA 499). |
| Repairs, Remodeling, Additions and Retrofitting The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has requirements for repairs, remodeling and additions. This fact sheet provides recommendations for exceeding those minimum requirements and it lists opportunities for retrofitting in coastal flood hazard areas. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 30. |
| Lowest Floor Elevation In inland areas, experience has shown that floods damage areas of buildings not elevated above the flood level and destroy contents of those areas. In coastal areas, wave action causes even more damage, often destroying enclosed building areas below the flood level (and any building areas above the flood level that depend on the lower area for structural support). Source: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series: Fact Sheet 4. |
| Understanding Your Flood Risk Our predecessors in Louisiana avoided floods by vacating the floodplains during flood season or by building their homes on higher ground and, even then, on piers. |
| Coastal Building Materials The durability of a coastal home relies on the types of materials used to construct it. Materials and construction methods should be resistant to flood and wind damage, driving rain, corrosion, moisture and decay. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 8. |
| Selecting a Lot and Siting the Building Many factors affect and limit a home builder's or owner's ability to site coastal residential buildings. Building failures are often the result of poor siting. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 7. |
| Universal Design - Building for Accessibility Universal design means creating spaces that meet the needs of all people, young and old, abled and disabled. From the arrangement of the rooms to the choice of colors, many details go into the creation of accessible spaces. Some general guidelines are listed here. |
| Foam Insulation - ICC-ES Evaluation Reports As foam insulation becomes more popular, more an more products are making their way to the market. Often, the proper use of a foam insulation product is very specific, and spelled out in the building code. This page provides links to ICC-ES Evaluation Reports for several foam insulation products. |
| Guide to Energy Efficiency Improvement Resources Energy efficiency can be improved by upgrading several systems on the home. There are a variety of incentive programs. This page provides links to building information and incentives for each of the home systems. |
| Accessible Laundry Rooms An accessible home incorporates adaptation and accommodation preparations and installations in living and work areas that can make a dwelling safe and functional to the residents for a lifetime. Making a home more accessible for life is a good investment on every level. |
| Safe, Accessible Bathrooms It is no secret that the bathroom is the site of many home accidents. Many people take measures to reduce the possibility of injuries—most notable by reducing “slipperiness” with higher friction mats, coatings and by attaching “safety tread” type materials. This is a good start, but, it is only the beginning. |
| Accessible Kitchens A kitchen is often thought of as the “heart of the home.” For generations, families and friends have gathered in the kitchen to make and break bread and to engage in a wide range of social activities. Today, we live longer than our predecessors did and as a result, are less likely to be as dexterous as we once were and significantly less mobile. |
| Staying Home Longer Gerald Brennan was 84 years old when he observed, “Old age takes away from us what we have inherited and gives us what we have earned.” He was referring to those physical capacities we are born with, but, if some of the things we have earned over time such as our unique identities and our homes, then circumstances and old age may well take those away from us also. |
| Choosing trees for hurricane resistance Trees and shrubs can provide a valuable buffer zone that can reduce storm damage to homes and property. Trees can be classified as hurricane survivor trees or hurricane victim trees. |
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| Protecting New Buildings from Future Flood Damage New homes in flood prone areas are protected from flood damage by building living space above expected flood levels. Learn more about elevated foundations and development regulations. |
| Position Your House for Solar Efficiency Knowing how the sun moves over your particular site will enable you to design more energy efficient and livable spaces. |
| Advanced Wiring Structured wiring, upgradeable packages and accessible installations can make a home adaptable to advances in telecommunications and automation without major renovation. Special baseboard and crown moldings designed to route cabling behind it are available. Plan ahead! |
| Design for a Lifetime Universal design is design for life. The goal is safe and independent living for just about anyone, any age, any size and any ability. With thoughtful planning and product choices for a new home, universal design can be achieved at little or no extra cost. |
| Universal Design Information in this section will help you maintain good indoor air quality in your Louisiana house by minimizing health hazards such as mold, dust mites, combustion pollutants and other common indoor air contaminants. |
| Kitchen Design and Space Guidelines Use this list of guidelines to develop a convenient (family friendly and functional) kitchen plan. |
| Family-friendly, Functional and Adaptable Floor Plan Plan your home with dual purpose rooms and ample storage, room to maneuver, designed to grow with your family. |
| Functional, Accessible and Adaptable A functional, accessible and adaptable home will give you and your family room to breathe, room to work, room to play and the potential to expand. It will have adaptable spaces and systems for your changing needs, including advanced wiring so you can take advantage of today's technologies. If you employ universal design techniques, your home will be more visitable - perhaps fully accessible - by family and friends who have impaired mobility. |
| Integrated Pest Management of Termites in the Landscape Landscapers have not been greatly affected by subterranean termites, but they are increasingly challenged by the Formosan subterranean termite. The actions of landscapers impact the risks of subterranean termites. Landscapers should educate themselves on this and other subterranean termites and alter their practices to reduce the risk of subterranean termites entering structures and to slow the spread of the Formosan subterranean termite. |
| Supertermites Formosan subterranean termites are more aggressive and cause more damage than native subterranean termite species because of special biological attributes. |
| Helpful Building/Rebuilding Tips for Future Integrated Pest Management Adjusting certain elements of architecture, construction and landscaping can help in Integrated Pest Management. |
| Decay and Termite Damage Many homeowners who own a property built of wood have had problems with wood-destroying organisms. In United States, termites, and decay fungus cause more than $2 billion in damage to buildings every single year. In order to protect their home from these organisms, homeowners need to know what to look for, how to treat problems that arise, and how to keep their homes free of decay and termites. |
| Termite Resistance Checklist Here is a checklist you can use to take steps to make your home termite-resistant. |
| Checklist for Energy Efficiency Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of an energy-efficient house in Louisiana. |
| Determining Structural Damage and Preparing for Repairs After a Storm When calm returns after the storm, it’s time to assess the damage and begin repairs. A number of factors should be considered, and the following information may be helpful. |
| Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor Hiring a qualified contractor for mold remediation is not required, but is generally safer and more effective than a “do-it-yourself” approach. |
| What Home Builders, Homeowners and Real Estate Agents Think About Mold Although it is uncommon in most homes, toxic mold, also known as black mold, has become a major issue for some home builders and homeowners in the United States. The effects have run the gamut from disposal to litigation. An understanding of the mold issue from these points of view can aid private companies, public policy makers and extension professionals in developing and disseminating unbiased, useful information to these and other groups. |
| Do's and Don'ts for Using a Portable Ladder Each year about 300 deaths and 175,000 serious injuries occur in the United States because people don't properly use ladders. This article lists some "Do's and Don'ts" for using a portable ladder. |
| Proper Debris Removal Keeps Formosan Subterranean Termites from Spreading After Hurricanes Cleaning up wood debris after a hurricane or other severe wind storm can inadvertently spread one of Louisiana’s most destructive pests – the Formosan subterranean termite. The highest concentrations of this termite in the continental United States are in Lake Charles and New Orleans, cities flooded following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. |
| Debris Disposal Cleanup after a disaster can be a major problem. Debris from trees, shrubs and buildings may be everywhere. Even though extra resources may be provided, it may be some time before collection is possible. Debris removal will reduce the potential for nesting by rodents, snakes and insects, or it will, at least, keep those infestations in a concentrated area away from the home. |
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| Special Issues with Older Homes Preserving and maintaining the great benefits of having an older home will take time, commitment, and money. |
| Changing Space Restoration of a home may afford a good opportunity to change the way you use existing space in the home. |
| Site Clearing and Preparation This part of the web site will present information related to clearing a demolition site or a new building site in preparation for building a home. |
| The Construction Process In this section we describe the construction process from getting bids, to contracting, to closing out the project. |
| Safety Read the following articles on safety and take all necessary precautions when rebuilding your home. |
| Passing Building Code Inspections Portal page for information about managing a construction project so building officials can and do inspect the work at appropriate times and with successful outcomes. |
| Landscape Design This section of the web provides information about designing the landscape to serve the needs of the homeowner, whether for children playing or moments of quiet reflection. Information also relates to landscape designs based on maintenance requirements and needs for shade or shielding from the wind. |
| Healthy and Eco-Friendly The healthy and eco-friendly home is designed and built to protect both the indoor environment and the outdoor environment, by reducing indoor pollutants, conservation natural resources, managing waste and waste-water and using materials that reduce pollution in their fabrication and transportation to the site. |
| Take Control of Your Investment Seek out incentive programs that could help you create a high performance home. When you “build green,” you not only get a home that is earth friendly and healthy, you are doing your part to help our nation and preserve our way of life for the coming generations. |
| Practical Building Has Its Benefits More does not always mean better. Learn the importance of building a house that is marketable, cost-efficient, and will keep its value for years to come. |
| Practical and Convenient Your ideal house will remain only a dream if it is not practical, cost-effective and reasonably easy to maintain. Build with locally available materials using labor-saving methods. Consider not just the purchase and installation cost of materials and systems, but also their life-cycle costs; lower operating costs off-set higher initial investments. Consider also the future marketability of your ideal home. |
| Low-Maintentance Materials and Products Low maintenance surfaces and products can enhance and add value to your home. |
| Beauty of Materials Portal to information about selection of building materials on the basis of aesthetics, strength and other performance characteristics. |
| Professionals Portal page for the section on Housing Industry Professionals, including Real Estate, Insurance, Code Enforcement, Banking, Surveying, Design Professionals and Contractors. |
| Preparing Financially Portal Page for information about preparing yourself and your family financially for a home purchase or home restoration project. |
| Debris Removal Debris can be hazardous. It often has sharp or rough edges. It may cause falls. Some debris may contain hazardous material such as asbestos, lead or fiberglass, or it may have been contaminated with chemicals or germs by the flood or storm. |
| Coastal Construction Course for Design Professional This 2-day course will acquaint participants with FEMA’s Coastal Construction Manual and involve discussion of best practices for the design and construction of residential buildings built in coastal environments. |
| Industry Innovations and Educational Events As we track the progress of reconstruction in hurricane recovery and as new products, systems and technoglogies come into the state, we will add to this section. Learn about current educational efforts that may be useful as you build, rebuild or restore your home - and tell us about innovations and educational opportunities we haven't heard about. |
| Learning Modules insert description |
| Water-Managed Foundation A great deal of moisture can move from the ground into and through a foundation and floor system, which can lead to decay, mold under flooring and high indoor humidity. To prevent these problems, keep rainwater away from the foundation with a 5% slope (6 inches/10 feet) of the grade around the house, prevent materials from absorbing water, drain groundwater with underground drainage before it gets to the foundation and allow the moisture in a foundation to escape. |
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| Foundations in Flood Hazard Areas Homes in Flood Hazard Areas require special foundations to ensure stability. This article addresses foundation requirements for homes built in wave-action areas. |
| The Ideal Home Your goal for home design and construction is to create a house that meets your immediate and long-term needs for space, function and aesthetics; keeps you comforable and safe by managing heat and humidity; drains and dries when water gets in; and resists damage from floods, high winds, freezing conditions, flying debris and termites. Your home will be more marketable if it ahcieves these goals while being practical and convenient. Includes links to checklists |
| Strengthening Walls for Wind Resistance To overcome the forces that wind places on a building, construction of the walls with connectors and sheathing is important. |
| Hurricane and Tornado Resistance Preventing wind damage involves strengthening areas where things could come apart. The walls, roof and foundation must be strong, and the attachments between them must be strong and secure. |
| Waiver of the Two-Year Time Limit for Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC)coverage to pay up to $30,000 for the cost of compliance with State or local floodplain managementlaws or ordinances (II1.D of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP)). In the event the requiredmitigation measures are not completed within two years from the date of the state's or community'sdeclaration of substantial damage and order that mitigation measures be taken, the ICC claim cannotbe paid a |
| Flood Insurance Protects Your Assets With few exceptions, if you live in Louisiana you should have flood insurance. Flood damage is not covered under your homeowner's insurance policy. A flood without insurance is a terrible financial setback. |
| Durability and Hazards Since November 2005, home building and home restoration in Louisiana are subject to provisions of the State Uniform Construction Code, which is adpated from the International Residential Code. These codes contain provisions that address resistance to flood, wind and rain damage, termite infestation, and decay. Whether you are bound by code, or simply because you recognize these threats to durability, there are things you can do to reduce your vulnerability. |
| Integrated Pest Management Integrated pest management (IPM) may be defined as the intelligent selection, integration and use of actions to manage a pest while attempting to achieve favorable economic, ecological and sociological consequences. |
| Safer, Stronger, Smarter Building safer, stronger, smarter means your home is built to last. It will withstand the challenges of being in a hot-humid, rainy climate and resist damage from flood, wind, fire, and other natural hazards. It uses multiple methods to prevent destruction by Formosan subterranean termites and other damaging pests, and optimizes sun, shade, technologies and construction methods to provide indoor climate control with minimal consumption of energy. It is both durable and energy-efficient. |
| The History of the Raised-floor House in Louisiana This article traces the origins of raised floor home construction back to its vernacular form and questions why we do not build this way anymore. It shows the architectural diffusion of this building style and then introduces the ranch, or slab on grade, house. The article explains why a shift in building practices was made in Louisiana, the pit-falls of having made such a change, and gives recommendations for the future. |
| Preventing Flood Damage - Existing Home If you have a problem with rising water, there are six approaches you can take to preventing damage in future floods: elevate the building, block the water in the yard, seal the building, use materials that water won't hurt, and elevate appliances and systems. |
| Safely Use Ladders When Removing Debris Not all jobs can be done safely with a ladder or by one person with a ladder. Serious falls are common; every year about 300 deaths and 175,000 serious injuries occur in the United States. Read this article for safety tips when using a ladder. |
| Avoid and Repair "Storm Spots" in the Lawn One sure vestige of a hurricane or bad blow is a large, dead area of the lawn. It usually is located near curbside, or anwhere yard debris is piled up for many days. Some spots can be avoided by careful debris management; others are inevitable and will require restoration. |
| Landscaping After the Storms Articles in this channel contain information you can use to construct a new lawn that will compliment construction work on your home. |
| Flooded Lawns and Gardens Hurricanes and heavy rains can create excessively wet soil that, when combined with high temperatures, can create stressful, and potentially destructive, conditions for bedding plants, perennials, vegetables, shrubs and even trees. If floodwaters have covered any part of your landscape, here are a few tips... |
| Ornamental Grasses Ideal for Low-Maintenance Landscapes Ornamental grasses are an often overlooked group of herbaceous perennials that thrive in the Louisiana climate and will grow beautifully with minimal effort. It’s time to get beyond lawn grasses and take a look at this other category of grassy plants. You’ll really appreciate what they can add to your landscape. |
| Louisiana Lawns Fact Sheet: Turfgrass for Louisiana Lawns A lawn can be as functional as it is beautiful if planned properly. Recommended varieties, degree of shade, planting and establishment and other site considerations are included. (PDF Format Only) |
| Cleaning Carpets and Floors After a Storm or Flood It's best to get professional cleaners to work on carpets and floors, but this may not be possible. In any case, begin cleanup as soon as possible. |
| Recovery & Assistance This is a guide for flood and hurricane recovery information, including financial assistance. |
| Removing Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers after a Power Outage Steps to rid your refrigerator and freezer of noxious odors after a power outage. |
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| Caring for Large Electrical Appliances Made Wet During a Disaster Appliances made wet by floodwaters or by rainwater after roofs were damaged will need extreme care before reuse. This care will be important to protecting the life of the appliance and your safety. |
| Making Preliminary Repairs Preliminary repairs are meant to keep damage from getting worse. Any temporary structural repairs that can be made will require some creativity since there’s likely to be a shortage of materials. |
| Safely Use Ladders When Removing Debris Not all jobs can be done safely with a ladder or by one person with a ladder. Serious falls are common; every year about 300 deaths and 175,000 serious injuries occur in the United States. Read this article for safety tips when using a ladder. |
| Rodents after the Storm or Flood Structures damaged by the storm are particularly attractive and provide easy access for rodents. The unwelcome pests can damage property and, in extreme cases, pose a potential health problem. |
| Snakes after a Storm or Flood Many snakes, like other residents in the path of a major storm, have been displaced and left homeless. As a result, it is commonplace to find these animals seeking shelter and food in areas close to people. |
| Floodwater has Nasties in It Floodwater may be contaminated. Includes information on health and safety concerns, using caution with floodwater and other safety tips. |
| Handling Food and Water After a Flood After a major storm or flood, you must assume that all water sources are contaminated until proved safe. Food that has been contaminated by floodwaters should also be handled carefully. |
| Safety at the Flood Site Even when the disaster has passed, major health and safety hazards remain. Serious injury can result for anyone dealing with the aftermath of a major storm, so it's wise to be overly cautious. |
| Flood Maps & Permits The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is a tool developed by, or under contract to, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rate flood insurance policies sold through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). |
| Using a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or FIRMs, are used to determine flood insurance rates and premiums. This fact sheet explains the use of FIRMs. SOURCE: FEMA 499: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series Technical Fact Sheet 3. |
| Stop Floodwater in the Yard Floodwalls and levees are self-supporting barriers to floodwater. They keep the building dry and protect it from, unequal water pressure on building walls, erosion at the foundation and damage by floating debris. |
| LaHouse Home & Landscape Resource Center: Flood, Wind and Water Resistance Features Used in Building LaHouse LaHouse is a showcase for best practices and code-plus construction. Its flood- and wind-resistance features meet or exceed the criteria of the Fortified for Safer Living program of the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). LaHouse showcases multiple solutions across a range of price points, integrating durability with other goals of sustainability: resource efficient, healthy, practical and convenient. (PDF Format Only) |
| Installing a Backflow Valve Installation of any of these back-flow valves below in an existing sewer line is dirty work, but not technically challenging. View a photographic sequence of installing a simple flap valve. |
| Wind Hazard Zones for Louisiana The wind hazard zones for Louisiana are shown in the Wind Speed Map. Minimum design standards for wind loading have been developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and are referenced in the International Building Code and International Residential Code at the International Code Council (ICC) website http://www.iccsafe.org. |
| Do High Natural Gas Prices Give You a Chill? When home heating costs get uncomfortable, there is a lot you can do to control how much energy you need to use to stay warm. |
| Become a LaHouse Volunteer Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks. |
| Global Green's Holy Cross Project in the Lower 9th After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Global Green USA made a dedicated commitment to sustainable building in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. As part of that commitment, Global Green, in partnership with Brad Pitt, sponsored an international design competition during the summer of 2006. The result is a zero energy affordable housing development in the Holy Cross Neighborhood of the Lower 9th Ward. |
| Sustainably Integrated Design: URBANbuild 3 House This house, completed in May 2008, is one in a series of prototypes designed and built by Tulane University's URBANbuild. This house meets the new 3-feet advisory base flood elevation, and is built for 140 mph winds, which exceeds the wind-resistance requirements of the state uniform construction codes for this area. |
| LaHouse-Gulf Region Healthy Homes Training Center LaHouse Resource Center is a Gulf Region Healthy Homes Training Center partner of the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network. Lessons taught at the Center promote practical and cost-effective methods for making homes healthier. |
| Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council has developed a Web site filled with valuable information concerning the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code. |
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| LaHouse - Building Systems LaHouse showcases four types of construction: Standard 2 x 4 Framing, Advanced 2 x 6 Framing, Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS) and Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF). |
| CRBA Model Code Home - Oak Park Drive, Prairieville Capital Region Builders Association featured this Model Home on in Prarieville, in the 2007 Parade of Homes. This home is designed and built to meet code requirements for 120 mph wind speeds and the energy efficiency requirements of the International Residential Code. |
| Online Training Center LaHouse is committed to be a key resource for contractors, designers, code officials and homeowners in shaping the future with sustainable, high performance homes. We will continue to build upon this Online Training Center to assist the gulf region. |
| Rebuilding Information Station The Rebuilding Information Station was an outreach center at the New Orleans Lakefront, set up to assist homeowners in managing the rebuilding of their hurricane damaged homes through information, education and outreach. Partners in the Station were the LSU AgCenter, University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology, Tulane City Center and The Road Home program. it closed August 31, 2009. |
| LaHouse - Built Safer, Stronger, Smarter LaHouse is a showcase for best practices and code-plus construction. Its flood and wind resistance features meet or exceed the criteria of the "Fortified...for Safer Living" program of the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). Many of the water-resistance techniques are best construction practices; some are required by code. |
| LaHouse - Windows and Doors Windows and doors at LaHouse are selected and sized to meet the cojde-specified design pressure rating for a 130 mph wind zone. Where windows and doors are not impact rated units, they are protected by shutter, panels or screens. Windows and doors are flashed so water drains to the outside, not into the wall cavity. |
| LaHouse - Roof The roofs at LaHouse are predominantly hip-style for greatest wind resistance. Both metal and simulated clay tile are demonstrated with high-wind installation. |
| LaHouse Foundation - Flood, Wind and Water Resistance LaHouse has a flood protection level 3 feet above Base Flood Elevation, using three elevated foundations on the house and dry-floodproofingon the non-residential building (garage/classroom). Wind and moisture protection are also addressed. |
| LaHouse - Walls Walls at LaHouse are wind and water resistant. Sheathing and hardware contribute to shear, lateral and uplift resistance. Layering and taping of housewraps and flashings provide resistance to water and moisture penetration. Drainage planes exclude water that penerates exterior finishes. |
| LaHouse - Special Hurricane Resistance Features LaHouse has several features for flood and wind and water resistance that are not captured in the building component descriptions. These include a Safe Room, Dry Floodproofing, anchoring of the flat roof of the breezeway, porct protection and closets, ground sloping away from the foundation, back-flow protection and elevated utility systems. |
| Sealing and Saddles Improve Air Flow in Ducts Good performance of the HVAC systems depends on eliminating leaks in the plenum and ducting system and reducing friction within the ducts themselves. This 3-part video shows how to accomplish these goals, which also reduce attic air infiltration into the system. |
| Cameron Parish Residents and LSU AgCenter Agents Share Construction Knowledge Construction techniques used by Cameron Parish residents rebuilding their homes will be featured during a tour of homes on September 23, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Capital Region Builders - Model Homes and Training As many Louisiana residents struggle to rebuild their homes and their lives in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, homeowners, builders and code officials need help building safer, stronger homes that will resist hurricane damage. They also need help understanding and implementing the newly adopted residential building code. The Capital Region Builders Association (CRBA) has been at the forefront of educational efforts, offering a series of code workshops and model homes. |
| Two LaHouse Designs Through the talent, dedication and generosity of Remson-Haley Architects, Inc., Louisiana House now has two designs. |
| LaHouse is a new US DOE Building America Partner LaHouse will have the benefit and notoriety of being a Dept. of Energy Building America (BA) Partner, receiving free technical assistance from not just one, but two renowned BA teams. |
| LaHouse on the Move The third and final Louisiana House location, master site plan and house design were officially approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in April 2002. |
| National and Local Experts Galore! The LaHouse designs and plans are the culmination of an amazing collection of local and internationally recognized expertise – all offered gratis to the cause. |
| Master Site Plan Unveiled at Site Premier On November 21, 2000, about 100 supporters and interested stakeholders gathered at the site of the Louisiana House Learning Center (LaHouse) for the Site Premier. LSU AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson unveiled the site plan showing what is planned for the fully developed six-acre tract. |
| LaHouse to Showcase Best Landscape and Horticulture Practives Since the inception of the idea for Louisiana House, landscape and horticulture features have been an integral part of the project. |
| Paula Manship is First Diamond Key Contributor Paula Manship was honored with a ceremonial tree planting at the Louisiana House Site Premier for her generous contribution of $100,000 to support landscaping the six-acre Louisiana House Learning Center site on November 21, 2000. With this gift to the LSU Foundation for the LaHouse Project, Mrs. Manship became the first Louisiana House Diamond Key Contributor. |
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| Protect Your Children from Lead Lead poisoning is not just a problem in crumbling housing in inner cities. It's a common tragic result of remodeling older homes and other sources. Small exposures, once thought harmless, can cause serious, permanent damage to the brain. |
| The Sustainable Louisiana House Use this checklist to explore and select components of a "high performance" home in the southern region -- one that provides the benefits of durability, energy efficiency, healthy indoor air, comfort, convenience and more. |
| Online Training Center and list of GRHP Home Professionals We offer online interative, video education on best building practices AND the Gulf Region High Peformance (GRHP) Home Professional designation to recognize professionals who have completed a core GRHP educational program and passed a test to verify knowledge. |
| Build Safer, Stronger, Smarter: Add Strength and Water Resistance When Repairing Your Roof Whether you are just replacing a few shingles or have damage that requires you to strip your roof down to the rafters, you can take steps at every stage of work to minimize future storm damage. In addition, for new construction and substantial remodeling or repair, you’ll have to meet residential building codes designed to reduce potential roof damage from storms. |
| Build Safer, Stronger, Smarter: Add Strength and Water Resistance When Repairing Your Walls Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project. |
| Build Safer, Stronger, Smarter: Add Strength and Water Resistance When Repairing Your Walls Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project. |
| Build Safer Stronger Smarter: Elevating an Existing Home If you live in Louisiana, your primary objective in raising a home is likely to be flood avoidance, even if you’re not in an identified flood hazard area. Elevation is the most effective on-site method of reducing future flood damage. |
| Build Safer, Stronger, Smarter: Add Strength and Water Resistance When Repairing Your Roof Whether you are just replacing a few shingles or have damage that requires you to strip your roof down to the rafters, you can take steps at every stage of work to minimize future storm damage. In addition, for new construction and substantial remodeling or repair, you’ll have to meet residential building codes designed to reduce potential roof damage from storms. |
| Termite Research To Continue In New Orleans French Quarter LSU AgCenter faculty members are working on plans to put the Formosan subterranean termite research project in New Orleans’ French Quarter back on track after the recent hurricanes. |
| Asthma: Bad News and Good News Asthma is a disease that makes it difficult to breathe during an attack. Asthma attacks are set off by triggers,which are different for different people. |
| Basic Landscape Features - LaHouse LaHouse's landscape features are designed to be both practical and adaptable. |
| Ready for Rain: Making an Informed Decision Segment of the LSU AgCenter Ready for Rain video including the factors to be considered in making a decision to invest in protecting a home from future flood damage. |
| Ready for Rain: Wet Floodproofing Wet floodproofing segment of the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video describing techniques for reducing damage to the home without attempting to keep water out of the building. |
| Ready for Rain: Back-flow Prevention and Pumps Segment from the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video showing details for preventing sewer backflow and using pumps in flood protection. |
| Ready for Rain: Panel Closures Segment of the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video describing construction of panels that can be used to block openings in barrier systems and to protect windows and doors in dry-floodproofed buildings. |
| Ready for Rain: Sandbags and Water Inflatables Segment of the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video describing proper filling and use of sandbags and a variety of water-inflated barriers that can be used as temporary flood barriers. |
| Ready for Rain: Floodwalls and Levees Segment of the LSU AgCenter Ready for Rain video describing benefits and construction of privates levees and floodwalls. |
| Ready for Rain: Dry Floodproofing Dry floodproofing segment of the LSU AgCenter Ready for Rain video, showing tips and techniques for sealing the building so water will not pass through the walls, doors and windows. |
| Alliance with the LSU Hurricane Center The Louisiana House Learning Center and LSU Hurricane Center are cooperating to make sure the Louisiana House incorporates hazard-resistant features based on the best local research data available. |
| Gulf Region Healthy Homes Training Center LaHouse is a Gulf Coast Region Healthy Homes Training Center -- a partnership with the National Healthy Homes Training Center that brings together public health and housing professionals to promote practical and cost-effective methods for making homes healthier. |
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| Checklist for Termite Resistance Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana. |
| Master Site Plan - LaHouse Animated Master Site Plan |
| Improve Your Home to Improve Your Health A home remodeling project – and your investment in it – can do so much more than update. It can make your home a healthier place to live and breathe for you and your family. |
| Four In One House Construction Plans Four-In-One House Construction Plans |
| Location & Directions - LaHouse Resource Center LaHouse Resource Center is located at the southeast edge of the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is on Gourrier Lane, between Nicholson Drive and River Road, adjacent the LSU golf course. |
| Location - Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center LaHouse Resource Center is located at the southeast edge of the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is on Gourrier Lane, between Nicholson Drive and River Road, adjacent the LSU golf course. |
| Contractor on Board The LaHouse team is thrilled and honored to welcome a contractor who will help to make the Louisiana House vision a reality. Roy Domangue of Wooden Creations has offered to contribute his services as the LaHouse home building contractor. |
| Your High-performance Home Checklist Use this checklist to explore features and components of a sustainable Louisiana house. |
| Key Building Science Principles - Essential Pieces of the Puzzle What your goals should include in this region... |
| Take Control of Your Investment Today, it is possible and practical to have it all... |
| Benefits (and Criteria) of a Sustainable Home The goal is to integrate and balance the following criteria... |
| How to Use This Web Manual This guide serves as your comprehensive planning and analysis tool... |
| Take Advantage of Incentives Seek out incentives that help you create a high performance home... |
| Geographic Basics- Location, Location Location Important things to remember about the gulf region. |
| Moisture Basics - Clues to Moisture Problem Mysteries Find the water vapor balance... |
| Lighting with Fewer Watts, Less Heat Lighting can account for 15% of a home's yearly electric bill... |
| Resulting Rules to Remember in the South The most important messeges to take from this guide... |
| Important Building Material Insights When conditions change, so do building materials... |
| Comfort Comfort is more than merely air temperature... |
| Air Basics- The Invisible Transporter Air equalizes between higher and lower pressure areas- whether you want it to or not... |
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| Termite Resistance - One Line of Defense Isn't Enough Use multiple methods to make your home resistant to termites and other wood-destroying insects. |
| Universal Design for Life The goal is safe and independent living for just about anyone. |
| Preventing Dangerous Combustion Pollution Every source of combustion in the home vented to the outdoors... |
| Your Healthy Home Checklist Use this checklist to explore features and components of your sustainable Louisiana house. |
| Be Aware of Your Indoor Air Contaminant Sources Don't let your own home make you sick... |
| Minimize Use of Environmental Hazards Avoid using chemicals in your home that are potentially harmful to the environment. |
| Protecting Water Quality Ensure the integrity of the water quality in your home and reduce the amount of contaminents carried by storwater off your home site. |
| Control Humidity to Control Mold, Dust Mites Biological air pollutants affect the health of more people than any other indoor pollutant... |
| Clearing the Air for a Healthy Home Breathe easy inside... |
| Balance Benefits of Building Systems Building systems that integrate and balance the five criteria for a sustainable, high-performance home... |
| Elevated First Floor New homes in floodprone areas are protected from flood damage by building them so the living space is above expected flood levels. Learn more about elevated foundations and development regulations. |
| Interior Materials and Systems This section of the web is for information on completing the interior of the home, including carpentry and trim, interior finishes, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical and handicap accessibility. |
| Foundations and Floors This section of the web includes information about providing proper foundations for the new home, creating the lowest floor - at grade or above grade, for flood protection, and making sure the foundation and structure are protected from subterrarean termites. |
| Pier & Beam Construction Pier and beams construction can make temite tubes visible, if good construction techniques are followed. |
| From Vision to Reality News about LaHouse Ribbon Cutting, post-storm accomplishments and what's next. |
| Keys to the Success of LaHouse The key to long-term success is in the partnerships that are forged. Louisiana House offers numerous opportunities for supporters. |
| Take Precautions Against Termites (Distributed 09/24/07) Among the many natural threats homeowners face is termite infestation. Precautions can minimize that threat. |
| LaHouse Educational Outreach Under Way With support from Key Partners, the Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources and U.S. Dept. of Energy, Building Your Louisiana House – Homeowners Guide has been developed and printed. It was written to be a comprehensive, yet consumer-friendly, companion to LaHouse. |
| LaHouse Key Allies the key allies are essential to achieving the project goals. |
| Improve Your Home and Prosper Rising energy prices, floods and hurricanes happen, but they don’t have to bust your budget, damage your home, rob your time or deny your comfort. (PDF format only) |
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| Improve Your Home and Prosper Rising energy prices, floods and hurricanes happen, but they don’t have to bust your budget, damage your home, rob your time or deny your comfort. (PDF format only) |
| LaHouse Influences Building Techniques Construction continues on the LSU AgCenter’s showcase home, the Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center. The special features of the structure could influence techniques and components used to rebuild hurricane-damaged areas. Runtime: 60 seconds. (Radio News 1/9/06). |
| Expert Advises Building Stronger, Smarter Hurricanes Katrina and Rita exposed how vulnerable standard buildings can be to powerful storms. A lesson from these storms is to build stronger and smarter, the experts say. Runtime: 60 seconds. (Radio News 1/9/06) |
| Builders, Homeowners Have Options When Rebuilding Representatives with the U.S. Department of Energy toured the LSU AgCenter’s showcase home, known as LaHouse, and said this structure shows what homeowners can do to streghten their homes and make them more efficient. Runtime: 60 seconds. (Radio News 1/9/06) |
| Reinforced House Withstands Storms (TV News For 11/21/05) Added safety measures can make a difference on a home when a storm threatens. The proof stands on a corner lot in a development in Plaquemines Parish. |
| Test House for Radon, No. 2 Cause of Lung Cancer, Says LSU AgCenter Housing Expert Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Although radon problems are not common in Louisiana, elevated levels have been found in some homes, says LSU AgCenter housing professor Dr. Claudette Reichel. |
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