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A house at the beach is everybody’s dream — until you have to deal with the damage that comes with exposing wood to constant high levels of humidity and from periodic and severe storms.
- Do your homework on water damage insurance, and when you renovate, be sure you seal every nook and cranny with special products that will protect your wooden structure for years to come.
- Be sure all the wood that touches the ground is designed and treated to tolerate wet surroundings. Prime the back and sides of all siding before you install it, especially the end cuts. Use exterior grade plywood — even in some places where it wouldn’t otherwise seem to be required. Inquire about special insulation that cuts moisture penetration into the home.
- Beware of mold and mildew. Clean your ductwork periodically, and change furnace filters more frequently than you would in a dryer environment. Some molds are now considered a significant health hazard. If young children will be in the home, you may want to inspect for moisture problems on a regular basis.
- Get rid of old carpeting and replace it with tile or sealed wooden flooring and area rugs that can be picked up and cleaned periodically.
- While you’re renovating, check any exposed framing members for wood rot, and don’t skip the annual termite treatment. Damp wood is chocolate cake to termites and other wood-eating insects.
- If you’re building on sandy soil, be sure that your footings provide enough support to avoid "settling", and design a structural system that won’t be twisted over time by erosion.
Be diligent about maintaining this property. Water in the wrong place can ruin a wood structure faster than anything except fire.
MORE INFORMATION
You’ll find lots more information about the home remodeling process in Managing a Renovation: Staying in Charge and Out of Trouble, our friendly and comprehensive homeowner’s guide to remodeling project management. Download the table of contents and a sample chapter, or go to the order form to purchase it.
We offer ready-to-use construction forms, including a complete remodeling contract, in our Bookstore, as well. Have a look.
And, you may want to look at our list of More Resources for some great design ideas.
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