REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. – Thousands of families in the Tampa Bay area were forced to tear out their drywall before mold appeared after back-to-back hurricanes, and now they’re waiting for permits and contractors. But there is something homeowners can do while they wait to save themselves from future storms.

a homeowner Redington Beach Determined to waterproof her home with easy DIY tips.

“I’ve lost in sports, I’ve lost in wrestling, I’ve lost in golf, I’ve lost in baseball… but I haven’t lost in life. So I refuse to let this (hurricane) shake me. I’m going to build this house better than ever,” Jeff Fuller said after his home was flooded with five feet of water. Hurricane Helene.

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“I paint this waterproof paint on every exterior wall in my house,” he said as he painted a torn brick wall awaiting drywall. “This elastomeric paint is often used in northern basements to prevent water from seeping through the concrete.”

He uses Drylock Extreme inside and outside his home before other repairs. He also recommends caulking hidden openings where water can seep in, like behind washers and dryers.

“I didn’t realize there were old dryer vents right in the middle of the concrete wall (behind my washer and dryer units)…the amount of water coming through that into my house was incredible,” Fuller said.

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He said it’s an easy DIY way to fill similar holes.

“All of these holes will be cemented with hydrological cement, which is a cement that stops water,” Fuller said.

He believes he can prevent re-flooding and wants to help people stay in their beautiful coastal communities with these simple steps.

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“For me, waterproofing my house is just one more thing I can do, because we want to stay here, we want to live here for many years in the future, and I don’t want to be afraid of the water and run away from the flood,” Fuller said.

Products such as waterproof paint and cement can be found at any local hardware store.

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