Tips to Mitigate Flood Damage in Homes and Businesses across Puerto Rico

Flood damage to homes and businesses is an all too common occurrence in Puerto Rico due to the annual rainy season, tropical storms and destructive hurricanes. For those living or working in areas that are prone to flooding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created the infographic Be Ready! Floods.
 
In addition to the infographic’s helpful tips, the agency also provides the following suggestions to prepare a home for a potential flood:

• Make sure to secure or protect any hazards in the home before the flood strikes.
• Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before evacuating. Also turn off gas and water supplies before evacuating and secure structurally unstable building materials.
• Buy a fire extinguisher if there isn’t already one in the home. Make sure the family knows where it is and how to use it.
• Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.
• Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12″ above the home’s projected flood elevation.
• For drains, toilets and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.
• Anchor fuel tanks which can contaminate the basement if torn free. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream and damage other houses.
• Bring outdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside or tie them down securely.

“Even minor flooding that makes its way indoors can carry with it health and safety concerns,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Wet, damp and humid environments are conducive for the rapid growth of mold. Once mold is present, indoor air quality becomes an issue and cleanup and repair challenges escalate. Floodwater can also carry with it sewage and chemicals into the built environment. If that’s not enough, homes and buildings with lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials present a direct hazard during cleanup and repair efforts if they are not handled properly.”
 
With decades of experience, the building science and industrial hygiene professionals at Zimmetry Environmental have an extensive track record of helping people and business owners with flooding events. They offer building assessments, inspections, testing and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to mold, bacteria, sewage, lead, asbestos, chemicals and other hazards associated with storm damage across the Caribbean. Zimmetry has even recently sponsored an educational video about preparing a home for a flood that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/b5PwYehgQAs
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail