Tips to Protect Homes and Buildings from Flood Damage

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that just 1 inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to a home. Unfortunately, flood damage to homes and businesses is an all too common occurrence for millions of Americans.
 
For those living or working in areas that are prone to floods, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created the infographic Be Ready! Floods. In addition to the document’s helpful tips, the agency also provides the following suggestions to prepare a home to mitigate potential flood damage:

• 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.

“It’s important for people to understand that flood damage is excluded under most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Floods also happens to be the most common and costly type of property damage each year, causing billions of dollars in destruction. In addition to the immediate damage caused by a flooding event, even minor moisture that makes its way indoors can carry with it health and safety concerns. A wet or humid indoor environment can quickly lead to the growth of mold. Floodwaters can also introduce sewage or chemicals into the built environment. Another concern in flooded homes and buildings is the possible presence of lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials which can present a direct hazard during cleanup and repair efforts if the proper safety precautions are not in place.”
 
Helping property owners, facility managers and tenants respond to floods of all types are the building science and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) experts at CSC. They provide building assessments, surveys and testing services to identify and mitigate exposure hazards following storm damage. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about preparing a home for a flood that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/b5PwYehgQAs
 
To learn more about this or other IEQ, industrial hygiene, health and safety issues, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues.  CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail