by Tokie Laotan

Created on: August 29, 2008   Last Updated: October 07, 2008

Flooding can be terminal for a home, the damage it creates sometimes can be reparable. Renovating a flood-damaged home can be daunting, but the urge to get started and bring life back to normal must also be overwhelming.Be aware that during times of flood, water can rise and fall over a period of weeks, with the uncertain periods of rainfall and trying to cope with the drainage, it can be tempting to begin work immediately. Instead focus on immediate preventive measures that will see your home protected while you wait for the threat of flooding to pass.You can use the waiting period to assess insurance claims, assess the damages inflicted on the building, plan work schedules in relation to renovations as well as determine how huge or how little the renovations will be. A checklist of flood defence measures can be put in place depending on the amount of damage the building may have suffered.

If it is a minor renovation after a flood, it will be imperative that you remember that flood water contaminates any surfaces it passes through. So all surfaces will need to be cleaned with disinfectants to avoid possible infection. The home will need to be ventilated to dry out thoroughly and removing fixed cabinets, kitchen units and storage solutions will probably be needed to allow the walls behind them to dry.On the other hand if the renovations are on an average scale, you can start by rewiring the electrical system from the main floor level.The mains can often be damaged by water influx, so this time install the cables through your main floor with socket outlets positioned higher than usual.Drains are a common point of entry for floodwater, but non-return valves can be fitted to drainage retrospectively.It will help to use water durable materials where you can, like rendering where possible, set walls or tanked walls are some of the examples. Flood proofing walls, windows and doors.Basement renovation work often includes the installation of pumps and sump holes from which water will naturally gather and can then be removed.
For terrible flood disasters where a building has been completely cleaned out, it will be better to rebuild with preventive measures designed into the building.

Learn more about this author, Tokie Laotan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.