6 Reasons for Elevating Your Home

One of the best methods for effective flood prevention is elevating your home. Many people elevate their homes above the ground level every year. Here are a few potential reasons that you could consider elevating your home.

1. Meet Floodplain Ordinances

Depending on where you live, you may have to meet certain floodplain laws or ordinances. If you are living in an area that is commonly subject to flooding, raising your home off of the ground might allow it to meet the ordinances of the area. This could prevent you from having to move your house to another location. You may also be able to avoid any fines or fees and qualify for the National Flood Insurance Program. 

2. Provide Additional Parking

If you live in a highly populated area, finding a parking place near your home might be difficult. This may especially be true whenever you have guests. Elevating your home can provide you with some extra parking spaces down below. You can pull right up under your house, parked the car, and walk upstairs easily.

3. Reduce Risk of Damage

When you live in an area that is subject to flooding, elevating your home can significantly reduce the risk of potential damage to your home and personal belongings. Depending on how severe local flooding is, raising your home may help you completely avoid any damage. Therefore, this can save you a great deal of hassle when a flood occurs. Although everyone around you may be filing insurance claims and starting over from square one, you can keep on moving forward.

4. Save on Flood Insurance

Sometimes paying for flood insurance when living in a floodplain can be very expensive. Many people debate whether or not they should pay the high premiums that are associated with this type of insurance. However, when you raise your house above the ground, you may be able to significantly reduce your flood insurance premiums. Therefore, eventually, the cost to elevate your home could be paid for by the difference in flood insurance premiums.

5. Avoid Foundation Problems

By raising your home off of the ground, you can also avoid foundation problems. Many people that have their homes on the ground are subject to problems when the earth shifts a bit. This can crack the foundation and result in a number of different problems. A cracked foundation can lead in moisture into the basement or subfloor. Paying to repair a cracked foundation can be extremely costly and be a very involved process. By lifting up the house, you can avoid dealing with this type of foundation all together.

6. Improve the View

In addition to all of the practical reasons associated with elevating your home, you can also reap the benefits of an improved view. If you live in a scenic area, such as near the ocean, raising your home off of the ground can significantly improve your view. A nice view could also add to your property value.