I've been recommending clients install shelving or cabinets at least a foot above the highest recorded flood line. Also, digitizing photos and storing them in cloud backups (multiple services ideally) can save a lot of heartache later...learned that one the hard way myself.
Wish I'd thought about digitizing photos sooner myself...had a basement flood last spring and lost a whole box of family albums. Still stings thinking about it.
I'm curious though, is a foot above the highest recorded flood line enough? I mean, with weather getting crazier lately, wouldn't it make sense to add even more buffer? I'm new to renovating, so maybe I'm just being overly cautious, but I'd hate to go through all the trouble and expense only to find out later it wasn't enough. Also wondering if anyone's tried waterproof cabinets or special sealants—do those actually hold up when things get really bad? Seems like a good idea, but I'm skeptical about how effective they really are in practice.
I renovated a place in a flood-prone area a couple years back and went about 18 inches above the highest recorded line. Seemed excessive at first, but last summer we had a storm that came within a few inches of that mark—way higher than anything previously recorded. Glad I went with my gut on that one.
As for waterproof cabinets and sealants, they're decent for minor flooding or moisture issues, but honestly, if you're dealing with serious flooding, water finds its way in eventually. I tried some high-end waterproof cabinetry in a laundry room once, and while it held up better than standard stuff, it wasn't exactly bulletproof. I'd say they're worth considering as part of your overall strategy, but don't rely solely on them. Better to invest in prevention—like proper drainage and elevation—than to count on sealants alone.
"Better to invest in prevention—like proper drainage and elevation—than to count on sealants alone."
Couldn't agree more. Curious though, did you also look into landscaping solutions like rain gardens or swales? I helped a friend set up a rain garden a while back, and it made a surprising difference during heavy rains. Might be worth exploring if you're still tweaking your setup...
I went through something similar when I renovated my first place. Initially thought waterproof coatings and sealants would do the trick, but nope... first heavy rain proved me wrong. Ended up having to redo the drainage completely—installed a French drain system around the perimeter, and it was night and day difference. Landscaping wasn't really on my radar at the time, though looking back, a rain garden or swale might have been cheaper and less hassle. Honestly, if I had to do it again I'd probably combine both methods just to cover all bases. Learned the hard way that relying on only one solution rarely pans out, especially when dealing with flooding issues.
