The Water Table: How Does It Affect the Construction of Your Home?

Buying or building a new home is always an exciting experience! Suppose you are in the final stages of preparing to break ground on your custom home. Most of the time, new home construction concerns are concentrated on matters that are typically aboveground. In other words, you probably aren’t thinking about the water table underneath your home in Rehoboth Beach or anywhere else in Sussex County. What is it, and how does it affect the construction process? Read on to find out more.

What is the Water Table? 

Essentially, the water table refers to the soil that collects groundwater. Rainfall, nearby bodies of water, and the use of aquifers can all contribute to the formation of a water table. Generally speaking the closer you are to the water, the closer the table is to the surface. Although, unique soil conditions can cause a high water table anywhere. Unfortunately, water damage to the foundations and water in the crawl space of your home can lead to disaster.   

What’s the Deal with Runoff?

You may have heard of runoff pertaining to rivers and streams. Runoff can also affect the structural integrity of your new home – again, by wreaking havoc on the foundations. However, Environmental Impact Analysis (ArcGIS) maps are a useful weapon in the fight against runoff. It gives you an idea of where groundwater tends to pool and can help you monitor erosion levels. 

Should I Prepare for Flooding?

Living on the coast can be a delightful experience, but you must be proactive when it comes to flooding potential. FEMA flood maps can help you select the best plot for your new home. If you’re planning to build inside a flood zone, the existing building code provides remedies to minimize the risk that your home could be damaged or destroyed by floods.  

How Do I Counteract a High Water Table?  

If your builder determines your property is susceptible to a high water table the primary goal becomes raising the floor of the crawl space high enough to keep that water from pooling under your home.  The most common practice to counteract this is to bring in soil to raise the level of the dirt where your home will be built.  

Contact Accessible Home Builders Today

Here at Accessible Home Builders, we’re proud to say we’ve been building and remodeling homes since 1994. In that time, we’ve serviced the areas of Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Selbyville, Seaford, Millsboro, Georgetown, Laurel, and more communities within Delaware. We work to guarantee a high level of professionalism, dedication, and the use of quality materials to ensure our customers have the home they deserve.

To get in touch with us, give us a call at our office at 302-663-0464, send us an email at info@accessiblehomebuilders.com or visit us in person at 28412 DuPont Blvd, #103 Millsboro, DE 19966. Alternatively, give our satellite office a call at 302-628-9571, which is located at 500 W. Stein Hwy. Seaford, DE 19973. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay updated on what we’re up to next!

We are proud to be recognized as “Southern Delaware’s Best Home Remodeling” Company for 2020 by Metropolitan Magazine.  We work hard every day to provide quality workmanship and service to create that new space or the new look you want in your home.  Call us today to discuss your next project.