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<br />of flood proofing- buildings will eliminate these repetitive costs and provide <br />a quick return on investment. <br />Excessive flood damage costs to property have produced an awareness that <br />nonstructural methods should be developed to augment flood protection provided <br />by dams, levees, and similar structures. In the past, nonstructural methods <br />of flood protection have been considered but not actively studied. <br />Because homeowners and other members of society do not have ready access <br />to expert guidance for protecting their homes and buildings from floods, many <br />individual and contractor attempts at flood protection have been inadequate. <br />Building owners need expert flood protection advice because they are usually <br />exasperated (especially after experiencing repeated flood losses) and are <br />willing to attempt almost anything to protect their homes. Technology devel- <br />oped for flood protection should be transferred from wherever developed to <br />other Government agencies and on to the private sector. This report is part <br />of a continuing effort to transfer such technology. <br />Feasible techniques to repeatedly protect buildings from floodwaters <br />include: <br />. Raising and safely supporting buildings above the floodwaters. <br />. Moving buildings out of the flood plain. <br />. Using structures such as floodwalls to protect buildings from <br />floodwaters. <br />. Using systems and materials to protect buildings from floodwaters. <br /> <br />This report concentrates on systems and materials to protect buildings from <br />floodwaters. <br />The ability of a structure to withstand flooding must be understood to <br />allow for the correct emphasis on flood protection and on remedial measures <br />for inadequate construction before actual flood protection can begin. In many <br />cases unless the structure is made adequate, more damage can occur to the <br />flood protected building than would have occurred to it without flood <br />protection. <br />Water is very difficult to contain; therefore, materials and methods for <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />Flood Proofing, as used in protecting buildings from floodwaters and as <br />used in this report, does not imply absolute impermeability against moisture <br />vapor or moisture. It suggests a negligible amount of moisture vapor or <br />moisture penetration from floodwaters in relation to damages to homes or <br />buildings. <br /> <br />4 <br />