Bee Branch Healthy Homes Resiliency Program

During heavy rains, water came into the basement through the foundation walls. A new furnace, a new water heater, and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor were installed. Both a section of the sewer lateral and part of the basement stairs were replaced. The basement walls were scraped and painted, and a radon mitigation system and carbon monoxide alarm were installed. On the exterior of the home, the basement entry and stairs were removed and the area was filled in with concrete so it is now watertight. Sections of the yard were regraded, including under the deck, so that water now drains away from the house. Five-foot extensions were installed on all the existing downspouts, and the gutters, downspouts, and window wells were cleaned.&nbsp;

Other improvements included patching and painting window trim, removing exposed wire in the electrical box, cleaning the siding to remove discoloration as much as possible, and installing a carbon monoxide alarm.

Improvements to the property included a sump pump with a back flow valve and battery backup, a new water heater installed four inches above the floor, an outlet box for the ceiling light, a carbon monoxide alarm, and a ceiling mounted fan with a built-in humidity sensor. The existing steps and sidewalk were replaced to create positive drainage. The foundation at the front of the house was repaired and six-inch gutters and large downspouts were installed. To address potential lead hazards, several surfaces were painted including the basement stairs, window trims, and the stairwell to the attic. Three windows in the basement were also replaced.

Rain regularly seeped through the limestone walls of this property. A sump pump with a battery backup and backflow valve, drain tile, and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor were installed in the basement. Five-inch continuous gutters with large downspouts and splash blocks were installed, and a portion of the walkway was removed and replaced so that it now slopes away from the home. A carbon monoxide alarm was installed on the main level and the bathroom ceiling and water stained kitchen ceiling tiles were replaced. Due to lead hazards, the window trim in the kitchen was painted.&nbsp;

Cletus Cashman has lived in Dubuque's North End for 58 years and is one of many residents who was impacted by the severe and frequent flash flooding experienced in the Bee Branch Watershed. In 2018, Cletus participated in the City of Dubuque's Bee Branch Healthy Homes Resiliency Program.

Bee Branch Healthy Homes: Cletus's Story

Water infiltrated the basement of this home during hard rains eight to 12 times per year. Over the 11 years of living in the home, the owner missed numerous days of work and appointments due to flood clean up. 

Exterior work included 5-inch gutters with large downspouts and property drainage improvements including exterior drain tile. The front concrete steps were replaced, and sealant was applied along the junction of the patio to prevent water intrusion into the basement. Lead paint concerns in the home were also addressed.

In 2018, Cletus participated in the City of Dubuque's Bee Branch Healthy Homes Resiliency Program. After several improvements to make his home more resilient to future flooding, it is now a safer and healthier place to live.

To date, over 130 units have been completed. The following projects showcase how the program is creating more resilient housing and improving quality of life in the watershed.

During heavy rain events water leaked in from the left corner of this home’s basement. Previously, gravel and dirt were placed along the front of the house where stormwater pooled. The property owner felt this helped, but did not completely resolve the problem. Improvements to the property were made through the BBHH program in the fall of 2017. 

Cletus Cashman has lived in Dubuque's North End for 58 years and is one of many residents who was impacted by the severe and frequent flash flooding experienced in the Bee Branch Watershed.

The basement of this property flooded during heavy rain events. Improvements included a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a 3-inch floor drain installed into the side of the sump jar, 5-inch continuous gutters with large downspouts and splash blocks, a ceiling mounted exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, and a carbon monoxide alarm. The exterior foundation was also tuckpointed. Due to potential lead hazards, loose paint was scraped off several surfaces and repainted including the rear porch ceiling and trim around windows and doors.&nbsp;

The existing driveway and sidewalk were replaced and sloped to create positive drainage. Downspout extensions were added to the front of the house.

To flood proof the home, the BBHH team installed a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a 3-inch perforated drain tile in the basement, tuck pointed the basement walls, and replaced the old gutters with new 6-inch gutters, large downspouts, and splash blocks. A drywell, an underground structure that disposes of stormwater runoff, was also installed. Other improvements included an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, a new breaker panel, a carbon monoxide alarm, and repairs to the furnace filter bracket. Items the property owners no longer wanted were also cleaned out of the basement and hauled away for disposal.

Improvements included a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, two new windows, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, new furnace, new water heater, and sewer back flow prevention. On the main level, a new insulated entry door and storm door were installed and several electrical outlets throughout the house were replaced with GFCI receptacles.

Work at this multi-family rental property included a new sump pump with backflow valve and battery backup, a new concrete floor in the basement, three new water heaters, several pipe leak repairs, two new exhaust fans, and a new exterior door. The sidewalk around the property was also replaced. In addition, the property’s exterior had several areas with peeling paint. The front door and related trims both inside and outside the property, exterior window sills, and areas on the 3rd flood exterior were scraped and repainted to remove the potential lead hazard.

During heavy rain events stormwater ran down the basement walls of this house creating mold and mildew issues. 

Water entered the basement of this property during hard rain events. The property owner also reported that rain had recently started leaking in the hallway to go upstairs. 

To improve property drainage, the soil along the rear of the home was raised 6 inches and sloped away from the foundation, drain tile was buried along the driveway, and two new down spouts were installed.

The program includes $8.4 million in the form of forgivable loans to improve 275 housing units, including owner-occupied homes, single-unit rentals, and small, multi-family residential units.

The basement of this home flooded during heavy rain in 2016. To help prevent future flooding, a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, a 4-inch interior drain tile, and a trough floor drain were installed. An existing basement window was covered and sealed, and several improvements were made to the basement stairwell. The water heater and furnace were replaced, and a radon mitigation system and carbon monoxide alarm were installed. The backyard was regraded, the gutters were replaced, and large downspouts that extend away from the house were installed. A new concrete pad was installed at the top of the basement stairwell and the deck stairs and boards were replaced.&nbsp;

Efforts were made to waterproof this property approximately 15 years ago, but it suffered flooding twice since then including several feet of water in their basement in 2011. Both times they lost the water heater and personal items. Improvements included a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a new furnace raised off the floor, a radon mitigation system, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, new GFCI outlets on the main level, and repairing and sealing the foundation.&nbsp;

<em>Let it rain. It's really nice now. It's like living in a new house. Makes a man want to live another 90 years.</em><blockquote><em> - Cletus Cashman</em></blockquote>

Water infiltrated this property every time it rained. The owners were concerned about the foundation of the home and the water coming into the basement. The family reported visible mold in the basement and a musty odor. 

This home experienced significant flooding in 2013 when water and mud flowed into the basement. Water constantly seeped through the foundation walls, so the basement was always damp. All loose material was removed from the basement walls and a section of the wall that was severely deteriorated and backfilled with old sidewalk concrete was filled properly and repaired. The basement walls were then sprayed with a waterproofing sealer.&nbsp;A sump pump with a backup battery and backflow valve and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor were installed. OSB board was removed from the basement windows and replaced with ½ inch treated plywood. A carbon monoxide alarm was installed on the main floor.

When it rained water leaked in through this property’s basement walls and window. The owners also reported water coming in under the steps in the hallway. Repairs included replacing the basement window and installing a metal window well. Exhaust fans were put in the basement and the main floor bathroom. Exterior improvements included downspout work and two solid drain tiles. A radon mitigation system and a combination smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm were also installed.&nbsp;

During heavy rains, water infiltrated the basement of this home in several areas including through one of the floor drains. Water also pooled in the driveway. A sump pump with a battery backup and backflow valve was installed and the furnace was replaced and elevated. 

In the summer of 2017, this home had approximately 6 inches of water in the basement. Improvements included a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, and a carbon monoxide alarm. Five-inch gutters were installed at all horizontal fascia locations as well as large downspouts that extend 3 feet from the house. Siding on the south side of the house was also repaired.

Installed on the interior of the home was a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a new furnace as high off the floor as functionally possible, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor vented to the exterior of the home, GFCI receptacles in the basement, an air purifier, and a carbon monoxide alarm.

To address the flooding, the BBHH program installed a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a 3-inch solid line from the sump pump to the alley, and a 4-inch exterior drain tile. Six-inch gutters, large downspouts, and splash blocks were also installed. To improve property drainage, the sidewalk from of house to the rear garage was replaced. To improve the overall resiliency of the property, a new furnace and programmable thermostat, a new water heater, a ceiling mounted bath fan with a built-in humidity sensor, a carbon monoxide alarm, and a cap on the existing vent/chimney were installed. The coil on the existing AC unit was also cleaned.

The existing steam boiler was removed and replaced in this seven-unit rental property. The installation included all new components including lining and tuck pointing the chimney, insulating the steam pipes in the basement, and installing radiator valves to better regulate the temperature in each unit. The boiler room floor and masonry walls were also cleaned. Other work included replacing the exterior basement door and installing an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor and carbon monoxide alarm.

Repairs and renovations included replacing a basement window and rebuilding the retaining wall, venting the dryer duct outside, replacing the water heater and furnace and raising them off the floor as high as possible, installing a new programmable thermostat, and installing 6-inch gutters, large downspouts, and an under soil drain tile with a pop-up emitter to divert stormwater away from the house.

Since 2009, this property has experienced three major flood events resulting in standing water in the basement. The property owners reported cracks in the foundation, crumbling walls in the basement, a front wall that was falling apart, and slanted steps. 

A sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup was installed and voids in the laundry room wall were filled. A ceiling mounted fan with a built-in humidity sensor was installed in the bathroom. A licensed Asbestos removal firm was hired to remove old boiler pipe insulation, shingles, flashing, edgings, and the deteriorated gutters. The roof was replaced and 6” gutters and large downspouts with extensions and splash blocks were installed on the house and garage. Due to potential lead hazards, the interior and exterior sashes and trims on the basement windows and garage doors were painted. Peeling paint on the ceiling of the exterior porches and trim was also scraped and painted.

The owner lived in this house for 57 years and had been battling water for a long time. It wasn’t uncommon for there to be 6 inches of standing water in the basement. 

This property experienced basement flooding during heavy rain events. In the past, the tenant lost items stored in the basement due to water damage. Improvements included a sump pump with a back-flow valve and battery backup, a carbon monoxide alarm, a ceiling mounted exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, and 5-inch gutters at all horizontal fascia locations with large downspouts.&nbsp;

Improvements to the interior of the home included a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, breaker panel, bathroom exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, carbon monoxide alarm, and new stairs, railing, concrete floor, and door in the basement stairwell. A leaking basement window was also filled in with concrete block to eliminate water infiltration. On the exterior of the home the existing front step, pavers, and sidewalk were removed. Soil modifications were then made to create positive drainage away from the house and the front step and sidewalks were replaced. Other improvements included restructuring the porch, new continuous 6-inch gutters with large down spouts, tuck pointing, and sealing.&nbsp;

Whenever it rained water seeped in through this property’s limestone foundation. With more rain came more water which would sometimes puddle on the basement floor. 

Several exterior foundation walls were tuckpointed and a basement window was removed and covered. Asbestos slate roof shingles were removed and replaced, box gutters were resurfaced, a cricket was built behind the chimney to provide positive drainage, all flashings and edge materials were replaced, and two rows of ice guard were installed at all roof edges and valleys.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To improve property drainage, soil was removed from along the rear of the house and a waterproofing dimple board and 4-inch perforated drain tile were installed. A crack in the foundation was also repaired. To perform the work, the deck on the back of the home needed to be disconnected and then reinstalled. Drainage improvements also included new gutters and downspouts.

During rain events, water pooled in various places around the outside of this home. To improve property drainage, the BBHH program modified the rear gutter, installed a drain tile, and sloped the backyard to create positive drainage. A licensed firm was also hired to install an active Radon mitigation system.

In the past, this property had standing water in the basement during heavy rains. Six-inch gutters were installed with large downspouts so water discharges away from the house. Holes in the limestone foundation were filled and the joints between the house and the sidewalk were caulked. Sump pumps, new electrical service panels, exhaust fans with humidity sensors, and carbon monoxide alarms were placed in both units, and a new furnace and water heater were installed off the floor as high as functionally possible.

An exhaust fan with a humidity sensor was installed in the basement. More significant work was performed outside including a new sidewalk to the front porch, 5-inch gutters on all horizontal fascia with large downspouts and splash blocks, and the creation of two 20-foot long swales to assist with water drainage to the front of the house. A sinkhole that was forming in the backyard was filled and reseeded. Vines were removed from the back wall of the house, and an existing basement window was sealed and covered.

During rain events, water would pool in the yard then come in through the basement. It flooded at least three times per year. 

Several improvements were made to mitigate water intrusion. A sump pump with a battery backup and backflow valve and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor were installed in the basement. The cement around a basement window was patched, and the furnace and water heater were replaced.

The basement of this property was always damp due to water seeping in through the stone wall foundation. During extended heavy rain events, stormwater leaked in through the basement exterior door which required mopping. Other concerns included water leaks in the bathroom, mold, and storm water puddling in the yard. 

Due to lead hazards, four basement windows were replaced, and all loose paint was removed from the home and garage and repainted including the front porch floor and ceiling, window and door trim, the front stairs railing system, the side storm door, and the rear porch. A carbon monoxide alarm was installed on the main floor.

On the exterior of the home, 5-inch continuous gutters and large downspouts were installed. Drain tile was placed under the sidewalk and the concrete patio so that stormwater discharges toward the alley. The cracked and broken concrete patio and a portion of the sidewalk were replaced and properly graded. A carbon monoxide alarm was installed on the main level of the house.

In January 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the City of Dubuque $31.5 million in disaster resiliency funds for stormwater infrastructure improvements and the Bee Branch Healthy Homes Resiliency Program.

The tenant of this property reported water puddling in the basement during rain events and snow melt. To prevent future flooding, the BBHH team installed a new sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a new insulated door at the basement entry, a ceiling mounted exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, and 5-inch gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks. Large voids in the stairwell and basement walls were tuck pointed and filled. The basement floor was also re-cemented and finished smooth. Due to potential lead hazards, support posts and beams in the basement and all window trims were scraped and painted.

Improvements were made to the home in the fall of 2017. They included interior drain tile, a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a dimpled drain board on the rear basement wall, furnace replacement, a new central air conditioning system, radon mitigation, UV air purifier, and a carbon monoxide alarm.

This effort is part of the larger Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project, a multi-phased investment to mitigate flooding, improve water quality, stimulate investment, and enhance quality of life within Dubuque's Bee Branch Watershed. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.cityofdubuque.org/beebranch" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.cityofdubuque.org/beebranch</a>.

Existing leaking plumbing was replaced, and a new cabinet, sink, faucet, and toilet were installed. Water damaged wainscoting in all basement rooms were removed. Gypsum panels were put in the basement water heater room and laundry room and finished with mold and mildew resistant paint. A 3-inch drain tile was also installed in the water heater room.

Improvements included a new furnace, a new water heater, and a new basement door at the top of the stair enclosure. The existing sheetrock was removed from the interior walls in the basement furnace room so that mold/moisture-resistance gypsum panels could be installed. The panels were then finished with waterproofing paint.

In the interior of the home a new sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, carbon monoxide alarm, and new exhaust fans in both bathrooms were installed. The main floor bathroom was also repainted with a mold and mildew resistant paint.

The basement of this property flooded with every rain event. How much water entered the home depended on how hard it rained. During the visit with the home advocate, the homeowners reported spots in the basement with standing water and expressed concern about the possibility of mold. 

A flood and social resiliency program to improve health, safety, and quality of life in Dubuque's Bee Branch Watershed.

The program is available to properties that are located in the highlighted eligibility area and meet income requirements established by HUD guidelines.

Work on the exterior of the home included 6-inch continuous gutters with large down spouts and splash blocks and a new air conditioning unit. Both exterior basement windows and the exterior basement stairs were removed and filled with concrete to prevent water intrusion. In addition, the grade along the right side of the house was improved and new concrete was poured. Due to lead hazards, interior window trims and exterior basement window sashes were painted.

A central air conditioning system and a carbon monoxide detector were installed. Continuous 5-inch gutters with large downspouts were put on the exterior of the home. The foundation walls were tuckpointed and pitched concrete was poured to create positive drainage. The gutters now discharge to the front of the property into a drain tile below the grade to the street. Two curb boxes were installed, and the sidewalk panels were replaced.&nbsp;

This property had a history of flooding issues in the yard and basement. The owners reported seeing water damage in the basement when they first moved in. Interior repairs included modifications to the existing drain tile system, water sealing paint on the basement walls, a new natural gas forced air furnace and programmable thermostat, a sealed lid for the sump pump, GFCI outlets in the kitchen, and a carbon monoxide alarm. Other improvements included a new central air conditioning system and a 4-inch exterior drain tile with a pop-up water discharge six feet from the sidewalk.

Onsite stormwater improvements included a sump pump with backflow valve and battery backup, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, and 5-inch continuous gutters with large down spouts on all horizontal fascia plus splash blocks. The gutters now drain to the front and rear of the property discharging a minimum of 5 feet from the house. The sidewalk on the left side of the house was replaced and sloped away from the foundation to create positive drainage. Several large holes and openings in the foundation walls were filled with mortar. A combination smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector was also installed.&nbsp;

Additional work included a new exterior stairwell entrance and 5-inch gutters with large downspouts. The downspouts are connected to a smooth drain tile below the grade that discharges into the street. This required a cast iron curb box and new sidewalk panels.&nbsp;The existing gravel driveway was regraded, and a new concrete driveway was poured to create positive drainage away from the house.

Water and mud ran into the basement during rain events. The homeowner had to sweep standing puddles of water toward the sump pump located in a corner of the basement. 

Repairs include onsite stormwater management principles such as...

Improvements to the basement included 3-inch perforated drain tile, a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a new insulated exterior door, new basement stairs, new water heater, new furnace, an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, and electrical panel repairs. The basement walls were also cleaned and covered with concrete sealing paint.

Several improvements were made to this property. Heavy-duty poly sheeting was attached to the foundation walls in the basement to cover and seal off the dirt floor. A ceiling mounted exhaust fan with a humidity sensor, carbon monoxide alarm, a natural gas forced air furnace, a 50-gallon electric water heater, and an active radon mitigation system were installed.

Water infiltrated this home during heavy rain events leaving puddles in the basement. The roof also leaked creating visible mold in the corner of the kitchen. 

Lead paint and asbestos remediation, and more.

Several repairs were made to make this home more resilient. The vinyl siding was repaired and 6-inch gutters, large downspouts, and splash blocks were installed on both the house and the garage. A sump pump with a back-flow valve and battery backup and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor were installed in the basement. The boiler and water heater were also replaced. Upstairs, the plumbing was repaired to eliminate leaks from the first floor into the basement and a carbon monoxide alarm was installed.

In the basement, drain tile and a sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup were installed, several sections of broken cast iron pipe were replaced, and an old window opening was covered and sealed.

To prevent future flooding, a sump pump with a battery backup and backflow valve, continuous 6-inch gutters, large downspouts with 4-foot extensions, and splash blocks were installed. The exterior basement stairs and the front right basement window were removed, and the areas were filled and sealed. In the basement, the furnace was replaced and elevated, and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor and UV air purifier were installed. Due to lead hazards, interior and exterior window trims and sashes were painted.

Installed at this multi-family rental property was a new sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, two new natural gas forced air furnaces with programmable thermostats, and a combination smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector. 

An exhaust fan with a humidity sensor was installed in the basement and several existing electrical outlets were replaced with GFCI receptacles. A self-leveling joint sealant was applied around the limestone foundation and a new gutter and downspout was installed on the back of the house. A drain tile was installed underground to carry stormwater 10 feet away from the home.

Due to damaged and missing siding on the exterior of the home, water ran down the interior wall of an upstairs bedroom when it rained. The basement regularly flooded and was always damp. In addition to the flooding problems, the property's heating system did not work well. The family was using six electric space heaters to keep the home warm during the winter. 

Water infiltrated this home with almost every heavy rain since 1999. The homeowner reported it was gradually getting worse from year to year and the basement was constantly wet. 

Water entered the basement every time it rained. Light rain meant extra moisture and dampness. Heavy rain meant inches of standing water. Mold and mildew in the basement were a concern. 

The previous year, this property flooded three times with up to 1 ½ inches of water in the basement. The homeowner was unsure where the water was coming in because it covered the entire floor. 

A 3-inch drain tile was installed around the perimeter of the basement and modifications were made to the existing sump pump. An exhaust fan with a humidity sensor vented to the exterior of the home and a carbon monoxide alarm were installed.

Continuous 6-inch gutters were installed at all horizontal fascia locations and gutter guards were placed on all new and existing gutters. Large down spouts with extensions and splash blocks were installed as well as a 4-inch solid drain tile to carry water from the front downspouts to approximately five feet past the rear of the house. Improvements were made in the fall of 2017.

Repairs and renovations included a new sump pump with a back-flow valve and battery backup, exhaust fans, and a humidity sensor. Traps were installed on the drain lines for the toilet and washing machine, and the washing machine plumbing was reworked to drain into the sump pump pit.

Flooding often occurred in the finished basement of this property. The owner estimated that it flooded up to six times within one year. 

A variety of repairs were made to make the home more resilient to future flooding. They installed a 3-inch interior drain tile, a new sump pump with a backflow valve and battery backup, a new furnace and programmable thermostat, and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor. Voids in the stone basement walls were filled with mortar and a basement window was filled with concrete to reduce water infiltration. New concrete was poured next to the AC unit so that it slopes away from the house. Six-inch gutters, large downspouts, and splash blocks were installed. Other improvements included repairs to a sewer pipe in the basement and a carbon monoxide alarm.

Previously, water pooled in the basement bathroom and seeped through cracks in the foundation. A sump pump with a battery backup and backflow valve and an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor were installed. Repairs were made to the water damaged bathroom including new mold resistant drywall on the lower half of the room and a new door and trim. A carbon monoxide alarm was installed on the main level. Five-inch gutters were installed at all horizontal fascia locations on the house and the garage. Large down spouts with extensions and splash blocks were put at all new down spout locations and connected to drain tile.&nbsp;

On the exterior of the home, loose paint was removed from the walls and a waterproofing concrete sealer was applied. The sidewalks were replaced and raised so they had a positive drainage away from the home, and continuous gutters with large down spouts were installed. Other improvements included blocking an old stairwell, cleaning the siding, and installing a carbon monoxide alarm.