One of the most common questions being asked is how could someone who is not an engineer or architect can determine whether a building or a house remains strong enough to withstand water pressure especially after going through the flood.

Materials Used

The basic materials used really affect the strength of the building. In most cases, wooden structures are not as strong as those made from concrete because the concrete ones are reinforced with steel bars. As long as the building has been built up to code, i.e. with enough steel bars and decently sized supports, it should be able to withstand the pressure of up to two meters of water without causing its collapse or bad structural damage.

The Worst Damage

Many are also concerned on which areas of the building are damaged most during complete flooding. The parts of the building which are in contact with the water, i.e. the floors and walls, are most at risk. Damage is more probable in these areas rather than the ceiling beams or support pillars.

What Kind of Damage Did the Recent Flood Cause?

When water is just one meter deep, it exerts a pressure of 1000 kg (a tonne) for every cubic meter. When the water is two meters deep, this is doubled. Most walls and surfaces are really only meant to withstand a pressure of one or two hundred kg for every square meters. Most floors can only withstand pressure of two to three hundred kg per meter squared. Pressure from water that is two meters deep can knock down walls and cause the floor to warp or crack. It might loosen wooden structures completely.

Can Beams and Pillars Crack?

Sizes and capacity of beams and pillars are decided based on different considerations including the number of floors, the area, and standard safety measures against natural disasters. However, even if sizes and shapes and other measures are done correctly, if the materials used are substandard, it could affect the building. There are developers that use substandard materials and this may become a problem because the connecting areas may already have been cracked. Remember that water can reshape and destroy rocks. Any material that is submerged too long in the water will weaken. Steels will rust too. If you do find any cracks or damage, call an engineer to inspect the damage.

A Solid Foundation

There are two basic sorts of foundation – those dug underground with foundation piles and the other is above ground. The underground foundations should be monitored to ensure that the pillars are still intact. Above-ground pillars may be made unstable when the earth around them is washed away.

In the Basement

One should pump water from a flooded basement with extreme care. If you rush the process you risk causing further damage. You need to maintain a careful balance between the pressure of the water inside and outside the basement or risk damage to the structure as the water pushes to get in or out. Rather wait until the floodwater outside has ebbed before emptying your basement.

Conducting Structural Repairs

If not badly damaged, you can use construction adhesives for cracks that appear in the walls and beams. You will need to first remove any rust on the steel and cover it with a rust-proof primer. You may need to reinforce the steel bars. Any pillars that are broken must be taken out and replaced as quickly as possible to stop the structure collapsing and floors or walls that have warped must be replaced. If the structure has slipped off its foundation, you will need to call in an engineer to have a new foundation put in. You will also need to look into other repairs but making sure that the building is structurally sound and safe is a top priority.