An unfortunate flooding event can cripple the commercial real estate of a business beyond repair. However, with a few simple tips the right preparations can be made to avoid disastrous flooding problems down the line. First of all you have to understand the flooding hazard from the following angles:

• Water condition: the majority of flood water will have contaminants. Therefore, chemical treatments are required after a flood to disinfect the damaged area.
• Velocity: the speed of the water will determine how much pressure is placed upon the flood protection measures.
• Depth: once the depth of flood water exceeds 3 feet then hydrostatic pressure is created. It’s best to err on the side of caution when calculating the required flood defenses for a particular depth of water.
• Duration: the amount of time the flood water will be present must be considered.

Sealing a building from flooding is one of the first steps that must be taken – this is also called “dry-proofing”. Here are the most comon dry-proofing steps:

• A membrane can be applied to the exterior walls of the building
• The strength of the walls can be increased to withstand water pressure
• Anchoring the building
• All openings must have waterproof shields installed – including where utilities enter the building.

The basement is one of the more vulnerable parts of the building with regards to flooding. It should be inspected for cracks and potential points of water entry. Furthermore, the walls of the basement must be strong enough to withstand hydrostatic water pressure. It makes sense to avoid storing important documents and expensive equipment in the basement.

With the flood preparation and protection tips mentioned above the amount of damage that will be caused to your business during the next flooding event should be significantly reduced.

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Tags : commercial water safety , water news , water safety