It basically works like a floating dock. A steel frame that holds the flotation blocks is attached to the underside of the house. There are four 'vertical guidance' poles not far from the corners of the house. The tops of the poles are attached to the steel frame. The poles telescope out of the ground, allowing the house to move up and down. Utility lines have either self-sealing 'breakaway' connections or long, coiled 'umbilical' lines. When flooding occurs, the flotation blocks lift the house, with the steel frame transferring the forces between the house and the blocks. The vertical guidance poles keep the house from going anywhere except straight up and down on top of the water.
How It Is Constructed
Phase 1
Step 1: Drill holes in ground for vertical guidance sleeves
Step 2: Insert and secure vertical guidance sleeves
Step 3: Position and secure C-channels to wood sill beams
Step 4: Position and secure extended T-beams to C-channels
Step 5: Place jacks under extended T-beams.
Step 6: Jack up house in increments, inserting cribbing to hold as house is gradually elevated
Step 7: Continue until house is elevated to +/- 5 feet
Step 8: Re-route plumbing and utilities as required
Step 9: Position and secure rest of T-beams to C-channels
Step 10: Position and secure diagonal L-beams to T-beams
Step 11: Position and secure secondary framing to T-beams
Step 12: Replace jacks, remove cribbing in increments, and gradually lower house
Step 13: Secure extended T-beam tabs to caps on vertical guidance sleeves
Step 1: Drill holes in ground for vertical guidance sleeves
Step 1: Remove connections securing extended T-beams to vertical guidance sleeves
