Title:Home Clean-Up and Renovation:  Building Damage
Author: Virginia Peart
Date: 1992

Home Clean-Up and Renovation:  Building Damage
Virginia Peart

     Check walls and foundations for damage.  In spite of heavy
damage to buildings caused by high water, much can be done to
recover their usefulness.  To make the best of it, repair
structures as soon as possible.

     Here are a few key points:

 1.  Check foundations and footings.  Start from the bottom when
     investigating structural features.  See that underlying
     material has not washed out any.  Filling done under the
     footings should be with masonry or concrete, never with
     earth or gravel.  Raise or brace up in position to make
     floors level.

 2.  Wash out the mud, dirt and debris as soon as you can.  This
     should be done before the walls and floors dry out.  Start
     from the top or upper limit of the flooding and work
     downward, using a hose and mop or washrag.

 3.  Dry out the building and the crawl space under the building.
     Open doors, windows and foundation vents for good
     ventilation.  If electric power is available, use electric
     fans to improve circulation.  Drying will take considerable
     time --several days or even weeks, if the weather is
     damp.  Wet wood will decay; dry as soon as possible to
     reduce decay and mold.

 4.  Insulated frame walls may require special drying.  Strips of
     siding, gypsum board or plaster can be removed from upper
     and lower portions of the walls to speed up drying of the
     studding and insulation.

 5.  See that walls are plumb.  Check with a level or plumb-bob.
     Correct and brace walls to keep them vertical.

 6.  Repair and patch where necessary, on a temporary basis.
     Final repairs can be done later, in dry weather, when more
     time is available.

      a.  Concrete floors are easily patched, using a rich mix of
          mortar having no coarse aggregate, one to four mix.

      b.  Wooden floors will dry out slowly.  Don't build hot
          fires to rush drying.  Try to prevent buckling and
          warping by driving more nails wherever flooring tends
          to lift or bulge.  After fully drying, the surface can
          be planed level or sanded smooth and refinished.