Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding
These publications are available for download from the FEMA Library. You may also order a copy from the FEMA Publication Warehouse. Call 1-800-480-2520 to request the documents by publication number.
FEMA 312: This guide is specifically for homeowners who want information on protecting their houses from flooding. Homeowners need clear information about the options available and straightforward guidance that will help make decisions. This guide gives both, in a form designed for readers who have little or no knowledge about flood protection methods or building construction techniques.
L-235: This brochure contains an overview of the information contained in FEMA 312 .
The PDFs for these documents were created before June 2001 and made not be fully accessible for those using screen readers. If you are having difficulty accessing this information, please contact the FEMA webmaster at FEMAWebmaster@dhs.gov for assistance.
Table of Contents
Cover
Inside Cover
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: About this Guide
- Who This Guide Is For
- How This Guide Can Help You
- How To Use This Guide
Chapter 2: Introduction to Retrofitting
- Introduction
- What Is "Retrofitting"?
- Types of Flooding
- How Flooding Can Damage Your House
- Depth/Elevation of Flooding
- Flow Velocity
- Flood Frequency
- Rate of Rise and Rate of Fall
- Duration
- Debris Impact
- Other Hazards
- Federal, State, and Local Regulations
- Financial Assistance for Retrofitting
- Federal Programs
- Non-Federal Help
Chapter 3: An Overview of the Retrofitting Methods
- Introduction
- Cautions
- Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement
- Flood Protection Elevation and Risk
- Freeboard
- Human Intervention
- Other Considerations
- Construction Terminology
- Construction Type
- Foundation Type
- Retrofitting Methods and Costs
- Elevation
- Wet Floodproofing
- Relocation
- Dry Floodproofing
- Levees and Floodwalls
- Demolition
- Summary
Chapter 4: Deciding Which Method is Right for Your House
- Introduction
- Making Your Decision
- Step 1 -- Determine the Hazards to Your House
- Step 2 -- Inspect Your House
- Step 3 -- Check with Your Local Officials
- Step 4 -- Consult a Design Professional and Contractor
- Retrofitting Checklist
- Decision Making Matrixes
Chapter 5: Elevating Your House
- Introduction
- Considerations
- Amount of Elevation
- Existing Foundation
- Hazards
- Access
- House Size, Design, and Shape
- Service Equipment
- The Elevation Techniques
- Elevating on Extended Foundation Walls
- Alternative Elevation Techniques for Masonry Houses on Slab-On-Grade Foundations
- Elevating on an Open Foundation
Chapter 6: Wet Floodproofing
- Introduction
- Considerations
- Flood Protection Elevation
- Hazards
- Post-Flood Cleanup
- Modifications Required for Wet Floodproofing
- Installing Openings
- Using Flood-Resistant Materials
- Protecting Service Equipment
Chapter 7: Other Methods
- Introduction
- Relocation
- Dry Floodproofing
- Levees and Floodwalls
- Demolition
Chapter 8: Protecting Service Equipment
- Introduction
- Methods of Protection
- Elevation
- Relocation
- Protection in Place
- Anchors and Tiedowns
- Backflow Valves
Appendixes
- Appendix A: Bibliography and Sources of Information
- Appendix B: Glossary
- Appendix C: FEMA Offices
- Appendix D: NFIP State Coordinating Agencies
- Appendix E: State Historic Preservation Offices
- Appendix F: Professional Organizations
Last Modified: Tuesday, 29-Jan-2008 12:13:56 EST