Potential 2nd home in PG / summer weather / misc. questions (storage, food)

[mr&mrssunshine]

what I love about the requirement for those vents is


they want them to let the water out
BUT if it rises they let the water IN !!!

ok it may well seep in other ways but why put big holes in something solid...............

[sware2cod]

Originally Posted by mr&mrssunshine

what I love about the requirement for those vents is


they want them to let the water out
BUT if it rises they let the water IN !!!

ok it may well seep in other ways but why put big holes in something solid...............

Are you talking about FEMA required Flow Through vents? These are often shoebox size openings on the bottom of the exterior walls of non-finished areas that are below BFE>

These vents are required in areas that are below BFE, such as garages and unfinished areas. These areas are supposed to be floodproof (no carpet or drywall, no wood unless PT, no cabinets, no electric plumbing.)

The idea is that these lower level areas are supposed to be built to withstand being flooded.

The flow through vents are designed to save the home itself from being moved/squashed from the water pressure. The water is expected to be rushing and high pressure. If the vents didn't exist, that water pressure might push the home off its foundation and cause the home to disintegrate from the water pressure.

The flow through vents let the water pressure pass through the home...into the lower water proof area. And then the water passes through the lower area of the home and OUT the other side of the home since the flow through vents should be on all sides of the home. So there is water movement going on underneath, but the water pressure is not going to knock down the home because it has a means of escaping underneath the home, through the vents.

[SJNE17]

For those of you with pool/spa combos, how often do you really use the spa, and is it worth the added expense (or potential expense)?

We're looking at a place with a pool but no spa, and are wondering if we'd realistically use it during winter evenings, for example. The idea is nice, but the house has a lot of other redeeming features that offset the lack of an outdoor spa.

i figured if we really, really wanted an outdoor spa, we'd try to figure out a way to have an above-ground unit installed, pending required setbacks, code, plumbing & electric limitations, etc.

[SJNE17]

anyone care to comment on my previous ^^^ burning question of the day?

[Sea Ray Mark]

Originally Posted by SJNE17

anyone care to comment on my previous ^^^ burning question of the day?

Sorry, can't answer your question but I'd like to hear an answer also for when I have my pool installed someday. I'm sure someone will chime in.

[SJNE17]

I've had a jacuzzi in the past and while it was great, it's just another thing that could, ultimately, break down and/or require additional maintenance and upkeep. My thought is a pool's enough (let's call it a "must have" vs. a "nice to have" with respect to the jacuzzi)), esp. for our intended use: 2nd home. A pal of mine owns a pool supply & repair company so I get to hear all the stories of the other side of the fence: how much this & that costs, etc., i.e., great for him, bad for homeowner!

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by SJNE17

I've had a jacuzzi in the past and while it was great, it's just another thing that could, ultimately, break down and/or require additional maintenance and upkeep. My thought is a pool's enough (let's call it a "must have" vs. a "nice to have" with respect to the jacuzzi)), esp. for our intended use: 2nd home. A pal of mine owns a pool supply & repair company so I get to hear all the stories of the other side of the fence: how much this & that costs, etc., i.e., great for him, bad for homeowner!

Take it for what it's worth - a friend of ours bought a house in Ft Myers with an in-ground spa that needed some repairs. When he got the estimates, he backfilled it and put a small portable hot tub on the pad. I agree that the pool is a "must have" and hot tub or spa "nice to have". Our pool gets used a lot more than the hot tub.

[SJNE17]

Duly noted.

Portable is likely the way we'd go if it became a "must have" item. Speaking with a local RE agent, he mentioned such a unit has to conform to certain setback requirements from pool and other lanai boundaries. Regardless, that's a long way's off, we're not gonna worry about it.

[SJNE17]

what kind of insurance does one typically have for a 20' - 24' boat stored on a lift?

[Harbor Hopper]

Originally Posted by SJNE17

what kind of insurance does one typically have for a 20' - 24' boat stored on a lift?

That's completely up to you. I've had BoatUS for many years, and you can select the dollar amounts you want to insure it for, and whether you want contents coverage or not. If you have a trailer, insure it for less since you'll be able to tow it out of danger if a hurricane threat is imminent.