Walters Builds Homes to Weather Coastal Storms
Beach living at the Jersey Shore conjures up images of sand and sun. But the recent winter storms that have hit the area are a reminder that living at the shore has its risks as well as rewards. The best way to mitigate those risks and the potential damage from hurricanes and Nor’easters, high winds and flooding is to build above the floodplain.
At Walters, we’ve embraced a better way of building in flood prone areas by focusing on smarter, safer and more resilient construction. To produce stronger housing and long-term savings, our team has streamlined the entire building process, handling everything from demolition to construction of new homes, which are elevated on pressure-treated pilings, FEMA flood compliant, Energy Star Certified, and stick built from the ground up.
Building in Coastal Environments
In flood prone areas, the key is to build a house the right way and above the flood elevations to reduce the risk of damage in a storm. Even a home built in a zone that allows foundation walls is susceptible to heavy winds, which could hurl large objects like decks or boats into the foundation and collapse onto the structure. That concern is eliminated when the first floor is raised 9 feet above grade, on pilings, and the structural members of a home are raised above harm’s way.
Minimum Base Flood Elevations (BFE) are usually determined by a community’s floodplain management ordinance, regulation or building code provision.
Benefits of Rebuilding
We walk customers through the entire homebuilding process, including helping them select a design which will complement their lifestyle and location. Every newly constructed home is specifically crafted for a homeowner’s existing lot, and if a customer does not find a standard plan that meets their requirements, they can meet with our architect to design their own unique custom home.
Rebuilding a new home from the ground up is an opportunity to incorporate new features while allowing for redesigned floor plans so that homes are better suited to a homeowner’s current lifestyle and needs. We’ve seen scenarios where hasty short-term repairs on small beach bungalows have cost homeowners more money in the long-run.
Climate Change at the Jersey Shore
The consequences of climate change and rising sea levels are requiring us to rethink how our homes will be built at the Jersey Shore. Climate change is causing rising sea levels and it will continue to impact our coastal communities. As a result, protecting homes from environmental hazards such as flooding is a growing challenge. During Sandy, for example, there were roughly 100,000 people who were exposed to flooding during the storm. Statistics reveal that rising sea levels are projected to increase between one and 2 ½ feet by 2050, according to Rutgers University and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Building Homes for Over 30 Years
Walters has been building homes at the Jersey Shore for more than 30 years and we’re committed to building homes a better way. In addition to exceeding current building standards, our homes come with a 10-year warranty on all structural issues, five-year warranty on all HVAC systems, and one-year warranty on everything else. We can even help coordinate financing options with various lenders.
