"Another little trick I've stumbled on is elevating appliances like washers and dryers on concrete blocks or sturdy platforms."
That's a pretty smart move, actually. I hadn't thought much about washers and dryers specifically, but it makes total sense considering how expensive replacements can be. A buddy of mine lost his brand-new washer last year after just a few inches of flooding—still kicking himself for not thinking ahead.
On a related note, have you looked into using closed-cell spray foam insulation in lower-level walls? I was skeptical at first (seemed kinda pricey upfront), but after doing some digging, the water resistance and mold prevention benefits seem legit. Unlike fiberglass or cellulose, closed-cell foam doesn't absorb water easily, so even if things get damp, you're less likely to end up with moldy insulation that needs ripping out later.
Also curious if anyone's experimented with permeable paving or landscaping features like rain gardens around their house. I've heard they can help manage runoff and reduce flooding risk significantly. I'm considering adding one next spring, but still unsure if the effort and cost are worth it... Would love to hear from someone who's already tried it out.
Anyway, good shout on the appliance platforms—sometimes the simplest fixes are the best ones.
Elevating appliances is definitely a solid idea—wish I'd thought of it before our basement flooded last spring. Closed-cell foam insulation is great too, but yeah, the upfront cost made me hesitate. Ended up going with rigid foam boards instead; cheaper and still pretty water-resistant. Curious if anyone's tried combining rigid foam with spray foam just in the seams and edges... seems like it might be a decent compromise?
We actually did exactly that—rigid foam boards with spray foam just along the seams and edges. Worked surprisingly well, honestly. Saved us a good chunk of money compared to full spray foam, and it's held up nicely through a couple heavy rains already. Just make sure you seal those seams carefully... water finds every tiny gap, trust me. Learned that lesson the hard way after our first DIY attempt, haha.
We tried something similar, but I went a bit overboard with the spray foam the first time... ended up looking like a marshmallow explosion, lol. You're right about the sealing though—missed one tiny spot near a corner and had water trickling in after a storm. Eventually got it sorted, and it's held up great since. Rigid foam plus careful sealing is definitely underrated as a budget-friendly fix for wet areas.
Haha, marshmallow explosion... been there myself. Isn't it funny how one tiny missed spot can cause such a headache? Glad you got it sorted though. Did you find rigid foam easier to handle overall compared to spray foam? I've always thought rigid foam was underrated too, especially for DIYers on a budget. Sounds like your fix is holding strong now, which must be a relief after dealing with leaks.
