"You can do this:" Pinellas retiree urges homeowners not to give up in the face of flooding
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Waterfront living was the dream for Jeff Fuller's generation. To battle nightmare flooding, the Redington Beach retiree is arming his neighbors with caulking guns and vinyl shields.
Threat level: We escaped Debby this weekend, but the rest of hurricane season is ahead.
- If you end up stuck in line for sandbags as a storm approaches, Fuller said you're already too late to prepare.
Flashback: After Hurricane Eta flooded his house in 2020, he vowed to never let it happen again.
- But floodproofing quotes from commercial builders ranged from $5,000 to $40,000, so he started building barriers himself.
- Soon after, he met Bob Kyle, who also had an interest in floodproofing and was impressed with how Fuller kept water out of his garage without using sandbags.
- The two started a website and began giving seminars and home walkthroughs.
What he's saying: "There's nothing better than seeing the light go on in somebody's head about how they can waterproof their home," said Fuller, 64.
- "I've taught more older women how to use a caulk gun than I can count."
His bottom line: "You can do this. You don't have to just sit there and take it. You don't have to resign yourself to the fact that you'll flood."
The price tag: Free, no matter how many walkthroughs or seminars he has scheduled, Fuller said.
His must-haves
1. Caulk it up: Fuller keeps at least 15 tubes of clear seal and peel caulk in his house at all times, which he uses to seal up his garage door, dryer vent, outdoor outlets and anywhere else water can get in.
- He recommends an electric or battery-powered caulking gun to get the job done quickly.
2. Sewage stopper: A backwater check valve can stop a crappy situation if sewage backs up in high-water conditions.
- If you install it yourself, which Fuller recommends to save on sky-high plummer fees, it'll cost you around $43.
3. Sliding door saver: A $100 PVC board could stop water from coming through your sliding doors and causing a much pricier mess.
- Caulk around the edges of the PVC to keep it in place. Once the storm is over, peel off the caulk and keep the board to do it again as many times as you need.