Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

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Tuesday, November 05, 2024

Practical Steps in Securing the Property, part 1

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

The devastation of floods does not happen in big pictures. In fact, more often than not, the true wrath of floods happens because of the details that it affects. In order to experience true flood risk management, there are specific steps that can be taken. These are some of the most pressing issues that the property owner can deal with. The reason for their significance is that they are relatively easy to do but their impact on flood management is great.

Electrical Systems

Properties, especially those in flood-prone areas, should prepare their electrical systems for the onslaught of water. In order to do this, hire the services of a licensed electrician in order to raise the components of the electrical system. In this project, the goal is to elevate the electrical system to at least a foot above the historical flood levels.

Obviously, water and electricity do not mix. By keeping the electrical system away from the water, there is less chance that someone could be electrocuted. It also saves the owner large amounts of money because there would be less chance of the need to repair the electrical system after a flood, which can be quite costly.

The raising up of the electrical system can be quite laborious so choose to do this project when the risk of rains is at its lowest. Usually, the task requires the removal of the interior wall sheathing and the moving of the meter box. Additionally, if the house has antiquated fuse boxes, consider replacing them with a more modern circuit breaker system.

Waterproofing

Another practical method of reducing water damage to the property is to seal out the water beginning from the exterior walls. Even small amounts of water can be quite a hassle if it breaches the exterior walls. To protect the home, add a waterproof veneer to the exterior walls. This is usually made out of a brick layer and a waterproofing material.

Request that your contractor removes the siding and replaces it with exterior-grade plywood panels. It is important to specify that exterior-grade panels are used because they are more capable of withstanding the elements as well as termites. If it is necessary to do so, rework the exiting foundation so that it will accommodate the installation of the veneer. As for the interiors, replace any old insulation with a closed-cell foam insulation.

Take note that water veneers are most effective in areas where the usual flood depth reaches two feet or less. Any more than this amount and the veneer may not be as useful for the property owner. It is also not the best option if the flooding stems from the floor.

Recommended Reading
An Overview of Flood Management
Practical Steps in Securing the Property, part 2

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Important To Read

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