After several years of searching, we have finally found our dream plot. The problem is that it is located just behind a levee on the Danube River (disregarding the old buildings on it, but that’s another story :p). From the start, we ruled out building a basement because the groundwater is also not far below.
However, if we still decide to go ahead with it, how can the house be best protected against groundwater and flooding, in case the levee fails? Although it has never happened in its 30 years of existence, you never know.
How is a ground floor and slab-on-grade (concrete slab) constructed in such conditions? Are there windows or doors that are more resistant to water than standard ones? We are planning to have the heating and electrical systems on the first floor. Which type of heating system is especially suitable for that? I would appreciate lots of tips and tricks 😀
However, if we still decide to go ahead with it, how can the house be best protected against groundwater and flooding, in case the levee fails? Although it has never happened in its 30 years of existence, you never know.
How is a ground floor and slab-on-grade (concrete slab) constructed in such conditions? Are there windows or doors that are more resistant to water than standard ones? We are planning to have the heating and electrical systems on the first floor. Which type of heating system is especially suitable for that? I would appreciate lots of tips and tricks 😀
lastdrop schrieb:
@Musketier: No, the other way around. The basement causes buoyancy due to water displacement.And a waterproof shell for the ground floor instead?
That’s clear already.
That’s why the topic of the basement was already settled.
However, with a house built on a slab foundation, the same will happen during a flood. Overall, the water level naturally needs to be higher for this to occur.
But while in a basement the buoyancy may happen at around 2.50 meters (8 feet 2 inches) between the bottom edge of the foundation and the water level, for a house on a slab it might happen already at about 1.50 meters (4 feet 11 inches) between the foundation bottom and the water level. (Height estimates are approximate)
This can be compared to the draft of a light ship versus a heavy ship.
In a typical single-family house with a basement, the weight of usually at least 1.5 floors rests on the foundation, whereas for a house on a slab, it’s usually only 0.5 floors. Additionally, friction forces between the basement wall and the ground come into play.
That’s why the topic of the basement was already settled.
However, with a house built on a slab foundation, the same will happen during a flood. Overall, the water level naturally needs to be higher for this to occur.
But while in a basement the buoyancy may happen at around 2.50 meters (8 feet 2 inches) between the bottom edge of the foundation and the water level, for a house on a slab it might happen already at about 1.50 meters (4 feet 11 inches) between the foundation bottom and the water level. (Height estimates are approximate)
This can be compared to the draft of a light ship versus a heavy ship.
In a typical single-family house with a basement, the weight of usually at least 1.5 floors rests on the foundation, whereas for a house on a slab, it’s usually only 0.5 floors. Additionally, friction forces between the basement wall and the ground come into play.
F
felix-dreyer29 Jul 2013 14:23I have to agree with Musketier... You can forget about a basement, I had the same problem when building my house... but regarding the actual topic of insurance, there are options. During the construction phase, a builder’s liability insurance (BLV) covers damage caused by unusually high groundwater and flooding. After that, it becomes more complicated and expensive because flood protection must be included in the building insurance. Unfortunately, I’m not sure about the exact situation of the property, so it’s best to consult an expert before construction to determine which factors must be met, such as distance to the dike, etc. Of course, this always depends on the region and the location.
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