A private home in an exclusive residential suburb of Chicago, Illinois was susceptible to street flooding. The lot is situated at a low point on the street, with higher elevations in both directions. When heavy rainfall occurred, local street flooding overtopped the street level entrance and flowed down the driveway and flooded the basement level of the structure. Flood damage was extensive; estimated at $100,000.
The FloodBreak® passive flood barrier was an easy retrofit into the driveway of the home. In order to minimize the visual impact of the flood control system, the barrier was painted in a pattern that matched the driveway paving stones. The entire process, from order to completed installation, was accomplished in less than eight weeks.
Within a few months of the installation, a flood event occurred and the home was protected. Several further events have occurred resulting in savings of at least $100,000 per occurrence. Additionally, the home which had been deemed unsalable due to the frequent flooding, saw its market value significantly increase when it was sold.
