Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

Flood Risk Management for Homes and Buildings

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

There are very few things that can be done to prevent a flood from happening once the situation is set for it to occur. Floods can affect both homes and commercial buildings. Floods can also cause devastating effects. Given these factors, it is vital for property owners to take steps in order to protect their investments.

General Techniques

There are ways that owners of buildings and homes can lessen the risk of flooding. In both situations, it is advised to regularly do proper maintenance. The property should undergo regular inspections to find any problem areas. Some of the signs to watch out for are chipping paint, stains on the walls and ceiling, and warping of wood. This could indicate that moisture is able to penetrate the property, whether inside or out. When this is the case, it is not far-fetched to consider that even more water can enter once a flood occurs.

Insurance is also an important part of flood risk management in both homes and commercial buildings. The insurance company would have to be informed of any flooding as soon as possible. In fact, most policies require immediate reporting, otherwise, processing the claim made may be delayed.

Risk Management in Homes

Homes are unique in that the individual rooms are often in interaction with the exteriors. For example, basement walls are many times located close to gardens and shrubs and bedrooms often have trees nearby. The consequence of that is the response to lessen the risk of flood has to incorporate both the interior and the exterior of the home.

The landscape should not slope down towards the house; this creates a danger of the water flowing down into the basement and causing damage. Avoid planting vines that creep against the side of an exterior wall. There is a tendency for the roots to cause cracks in the structure. These holes can allow water to seep in and cause damage. In addition to the landscape, it is also important to install a sump pump in the property. The best models are those that feature a battery backup to ensure that it will work regardless of power supply availability.

Risk Management in Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings, because of their size, are particularly vulnerable to wind-driven rain. Thus, they have to take into consideration the impact of wind to the structure. This is an important aspect of water damage risks because wind speeds can reach high levels depending on the intensity of the storm.

The materials used should also be strong enough to withstand the impact of debris. Invest in tempered glass for the windows of the commercial building. In the event that the glass breaks, at least the shards would not have sharp edges. As for the doors of a commercial building, they need to be strengthened further. The height and width of commercial doors tend to be more vulnerable to wind damage compared to residential doors. To remedy this, consider the installation of a hurricane-resistant or shutter style doors.

Recommended Reading:
Determining Your Flood Risk
Flood Readiness