REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. — Storm prepper Jeff Fuller learned some new flood proofing techniques, after Hurricane Helene flooded his Redington Beach home, which he believes any resident can use while they wait to rebuild. 

**These are techniques that are being suggested by Jeff Fuller based on his experiences.**

What You Need To Know

  • Jeff Fuller learned new flood proofing techniques after Hurricane Helene flooded his Redington Beach home

  • He recommends using Drylock Extreme to paint the block in all interior walls

  • Fuller uses hydraulic cement to plug large holes in the block wall

  • The storm prepper also recommends using the hydraulic cement to fill in the slab by your bathtub trap

“It's an easy process,” he said. “Anybody can do it.” 

Fuller recommends using Drylock Extreme, a waterproofing membrane, to paint all interior block walls while the drywall has been ripped out.

“It just seals up and it fills everything,” he said. “You want to do this now before, obviously, drywall and everything else goes back up on your walls.”

Fuller, 64, said it’s important to paint the seam where the wall sits on the slab.

“That’s where a lot of water got into a lot of homes is on this seam,” he said. “You want to put a lot of this down on this seam.”

The storm prepper said while appliances, cabinets and drywall have been removed it should reveal any holes or cracks which should be filled with concrete crack sealant caulk and for the larger holes use hydraulic cement. Fuller said he didn’t realize he had an old dryer vent hole on his lower wall because it was covered by a cabinet.

“Once the water went up over my barrier at the garage, it just came in right through this hole,” he said. “The amount of pressure pushing water through that opening must have been insane. Kind of like a fire hose until it started filling up inside.” 

Fuller also recommends using the hydraulic cement to fill in the slab by your bathtub trap.

“Virtually every home with a bathtub, where the drain goes through the slab, it's busted open concrete,” he said. “The hydrostatic pressure comes up and pushes water up through. Especially, if your tub is on an outside wall.”

Spectrum News first featured Fuller and his storm proofing tips back in June. He was doing presentations at city halls along the beaches and visiting residents in Shore Acres to help them use his techniques all for free.

Fuller’s tips were in demand because he was one of the few low lying houses in Redington Beach which did not flood when Hurricane Idalia brushed by the area last year, thanks to his mitigation efforts. Unfortunately, Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters in September were too high for his barrier system and Fuller ended up with three feet of storm surge inside his home.

“The barrier next time will be substantially higher,” he said. “My barriers for the two garage doors will be approximately 7 feet tall.” 

Even though his home remains gutted, Fuller and his wife moved back in about two weeks ago to save money on a short term rental. He calls it “camping” or “glamping.”

“Whatever you want to call it,” he said. “Just be aware, if you're going to the bathroom there's no walls.”

Fuller said they always wanted to retire in a one story home with no stairs. Therefore, he plans to stay in the waterfront house which sits only 4.8 feet above sea level and rebuild.

“I am not going to be defined by one flood,” he said. “This is the first time this home has flooded in 72 years and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it doesn't flood for the rest of my life.”