Laserfiche WebLink
<br />PART VIII: SUMMARY, RESULTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> <br />Summary and Results <br /> <br />99. Buildings must not be made water resistant above safe-design water <br /> <br /> <br />heights, or the building can be damaged or collapsed. An unprotected brick- <br /> <br /> <br />veneer or block wall will safely support approximately 3 ft of water head <br /> <br />without being damaged. A coating of the brick or block surface will <br /> <br /> <br />strengthen the wall; however, the degree of strengthening depends on the coat- <br /> <br /> <br />ing, its thickness, its impermeability, and its durability. <br /> <br /> <br />100. Clear sealants do not make brick-veneer or block wall impermeable <br /> <br /> <br />against a water head. Epoxies, polyurethanes, and asphalt coatings that were <br /> <br /> <br />tested were not reliable in preventing a water head from penetrating a brick- <br /> <br /> <br />veneer or block wall. Some cementitious coatings will make a brick-veneer or <br /> <br /> <br />block wall nearly impermeable against a head of water. Coatings 5 and 8 have <br /> <br /> <br />now performed successfully for 4 years in the climate at Vicksburg, Missis- <br /> <br /> <br />sippi. Cementitious coatings which can be brushed on the walls are preferred, <br /> <br /> <br />and they should be tested adequately for the environment in which they will be <br /> <br /> <br />used. <br /> <br />101. Systems can be developed which will protect homes and buildings <br /> <br />from floodwaters. The system tested at WES requires that a relatively imper- <br /> <br />meable barrier be used to a sufficient depth below the building foundation and <br /> <br />around its perimeter to prevent undesirable uplift and underseepage. A snap <br /> <br />connection around the building base was used to seal the sheeting which <br /> <br />extended up the walls of the building. The openings, such as doors and <br /> <br />windows at levels subject to water pressure, were reinforced to withstand the <br /> <br />water pressure. The sheeting and one-half of the snap can be stored and put <br /> <br />in place when needed. This type of system will work, but good workmanship is <br /> <br />required. Construction details requiring special attention are as follows: <br /> <br />a. A cementitious water-resistant coating (material) should be <br />used to seal behind and below the permanent part of the seal <br />strip before it is attached to the base of the building. <br /> <br />b. The permanent part of the seal strip must be attached to the <br />house with a strong durable adhesive and screws. It must also <br />be cut to fit together well. <br /> <br />c. The seal strip must not have any obstruction, such as trash or <br />adhesive, which will prevent the plastic and nonpermanent part <br />of the strip from sealing tightly. <br /> <br />30 <br />