Archicentre Warns on Flood Damage
November 20th 2008 06:21
Ron Tanton, Archicentre's Queensland State Manager said water damage in homes can be quite extensive requiring chipboard cupboards, doors and plaster work to be replaced.
"A water damaged building could take months to dry out and the natural tendency for people to repair and redecorate as quickly as possible can lead to mould growth and the work having to be repeated."
Archicentre offers a post flood protection checklist.
The first phone call following water or flood damage is usually to an insurance company. But beware of finalising a premature claim. In the circumstances described below, the full realisation of the problems may take a few weeks.
* Be careful of power points and switches with water damage. Ensure a licensed electrician checks these before reconnection.
* Water can penetrate gas stoves and other appliances, flooding pilot lights and causing damage to interior pipes. A flooded house full of fumes is extremely volatile. Natural gas, compressed natural gas and propane gas should be checked by a licensed registered plumber.
* Additionally, particle board cabinets will expand and collapse after water damage. Don't waste money repairing cabinets that need replacing.
* Following flooding, large pools typically form under the house. These areas need to be re-graded to prevent long-term structural damage like rotted floor framing.
* Keep the under floor space well-ventilated. Timber floors could otherwise dry unevenly, and result in twisting and warping.
* Flooded concrete slabs need to be dried out thoroughly before laying carpet. This can take several weeks. New carpet on a wet slab will ultimately rot.
* Sub-floor central heating ducts can fill with water. Ducts may need to be cleaned or replaced if they are full of mud.
* Plasterboard walls require time and patience before repainting. The outside walls probably feel dry, but inside the walls are wet and invite mould.
Info from Archicentre
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