I have found many mice droppings in my child's bed, my bed, our entire bottom half of the kitchen cabinets (cannot be used they're so bad, and I've sanitized everything a total of five times before moving everything to plastic bins), on toys, on clothes hanging in my closet, countertops, infested my couch.

You can also get that plastic runner to go over the carpet on the stairs to protect it but I probably wouldn't.

Use the new plastic shelf liner in all the cupboards and install something similar in sink cabinets. ( Even a piece of vinyl flooring ).

Hi Sarah, Really cool project, ideas i can think of from running one of our airbnbs in a football town:Small wooden fence in the back (cost less then full privacy but will give idea of enclosure, for better price maybe chap plastic fence?)

If that doesn't work, maybe you could cut off that grout and, with careful knife work, dig out a little slit under the edge of the tile -- enough to insert a modified metal or plastic edging.

I put up a plastic container for flyers up too, with color photos of the interior, and more info on price, pets, qualifying requirements.

We also recycle everything we can such as plastic bottles, glass, metal, etc.

So, have a look at the property, if there are other newer properties around, that the owners know where the flood level was (around here, they stick a red   plastic ribbon on a tree, I just remember which knot of the tree the ribbon was on) and that would show you your true level of flood risk. locals will also know if  new flood canals have been built to change the flood behaviors--city hall would be up to date on that. 

However, heavy plastic must be laid under gravel or weeds/grass can grow through. 

The plastic tubing on most refrigerators is cheap and easy to spring a leak.