Method and system of raising an existing house in a flood or storm surge

Abstract

A method and system for raising an existing structure without use of electrical power, such as a home, during a flood condition in which pilings are positioned adjacent to an existing foundation. Pile guides are attached to the structure and are used to receive and guide the pilings during raising of the structure. A buoyancy layer is formed below the floor of the structure. During a flood condition, the buoyancy layer raises the entire structure upwardly along the pilings to support the structure above the flood waters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for raising a structure comprising:
 one or more pilings adapted to be positioned adjacent the structure;   one or more pile guides attached to the structure, each of the one or more pile guides guiding a respective one of the one or more pilings; and   a buoyancy layer associated with the structure,   wherein said buoyancy layer floats during a flooded condition to raise said structure along said one or more pilings.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said structure is an existing structure and said one or more pilings are positioned adjacent said existing structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said one or more pilings are positioned at one or more corners of a foundation of said structure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said structure is a frame with a crawl space below a floor assembly supported on a foundation, said one or more pilings are positioned at one or more corners of the foundation. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said one or more pilings are driven into the ground adjacent the one or more corners of the foundation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said buoyancy layer is received in the crawl space. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said buoyancy layer is insulation spray foam. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said one or more pilings are formed of fiberglass. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said buoyancy layer is formed below a floor of said structure. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said one or more pile guides are coupled or integral with a frame. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said frame is set into slots in a foundation of said structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said one or more pile guides comprise a pile guide frame and one or more rollers attached to the pile guide frame. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more pile extensions, said one or more pile extensions being coupled or integral with said one or more pilings. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a retractable flood mesh extending downwardly from said structure. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said structure comprises a structural frame and a foundation, said retractable flood mesh being attached to said structural frame and wherein said retractable flood mesh extends between said structural frame and said foundation for preventing floating debris from being received under said structure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said buoyancy layer comprises one or more insulation blocks. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a utility quick disconnect apparatus for disconnecting utilities from said structure. 
     
     
         16 . A method for raising a structure comprising:
 inserting one or more pilings into ground adjacent the structure;   attaching one or more pile guides to the structure, each of the one or more pile guides receiving a respective one of the one or more pilings; and   associating a buoyancy layer associated with the structure,   wherein said buoyancy layer floats during a flooded condition to raise said structure along said one or more pilings   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said one or more pilings are positioned at one or more corners of a foundation of said structure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said buoyancy layer is an insulation spray foam sprayed onto said structure or in a crawl space of said structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said one or more pile guides comprise a pile guide frame and one or more rollers attached to the pile guide frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of:
 disconnecting utilities from said structure.