| [Image: Pier Foundation at LaHouse] |
| [Image: LaHouse crawlspace foundation with flood vents] |
| [Image: Slab over back-filled stemwall at LaHouse] |
LaHouse has a flood protection level thee feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This provides a margin of safety and qualifies for the best flood insurance rating. The house is elevated; the garage/classroom is dry-floodproofed. Sill gaskets prevent air infiltration under wood sills.
Pier Foundation (Master Bedroom)
- Block piers—filled-cell concrete masonry units (CMUs)—are steel-reinforced and anchored to continuous concrete footing, not independent pads.
- Embedded hurricane straps connect piers to floor beams and to [future] porch columns.
- Deck and subfloor are treated to prevent decay.
Crawlspace Foundation (Master Bath/Utility Room)
- Reinforced CMU chainwall is anchored to reinforced concrete footing.
- Flood vents within 1 ft. of grade allow floodwater to flow in and out freely. Some vents have code-compliant closures.
- Crawlspace ground is higher than surrounding grade so water does not collect under the house.
- 6-mil. plastic ground cover will reduce moisture in crawlspace.
- Wood subfloor is treated to prevent decay.
Slab on Back-Fill Foundation (Main living area and north bedroom)
- Reinforced CMU stem-walls are anchored to continuous-reinforced concrete footings.
- Reinforced concrete slab cap over compacted soil/limestone back-fill is anchored to the stemwalls with re-bar.
- Durable plastic sheeting under slab and waterproofing compound on upper stemwall prevent moisture migration.
Slab-on-Grade Foundation (Garage/Classroom)
- Durable plastic sheeting provides moisture barrier under slab; wraps under grade beams.
- Low water-to-cement-ratio concrete (fly ash, slag mix) for high strength and reduced curl.
- Wet curing blanket improves concrete strength without frequent rewetting.
- Exterior coating on the slab will be part of the dry floodproofing system.