|
<br />Keep Water Out 01 Basements
<br />If a qualified structural engineer has determined your house to be
<br />capable ot withstanding anticipated flood-water depths, the
<br />following actions can be taken:
<br />Close all windows and doors and cover them with polyethylene
<br />sheet and boards, plywood or previously-fitted closure panels.
<br />Place sandbags and/or shoveled dirt in front of doorways and the
<br />more vulnerable areas of your home to keep the water away from
<br />them. Sandbags can be made with burlap or other strong material
<br />that will not dissolve in water or break when being carried. They
<br />can be filled with sand or dirt. You can also keep flood waters
<br />away from your house by surrounding it with a temporary levee.
<br />II you have a sump pump, check it to be sure it is operating
<br />properly. See pages 5-2 and 5-4.
<br />
<br />Sewer and Drainage Lines
<br />
<br />Flooding of a home as a result of baCkup through sewer and
<br />drainage lines is a problem for buildings located in flood plains.
<br />Sewer backup can flood the basement and even the upper fl.oors
<br />with raw sewage. Backup is caused by flood waters over.loading
<br />sewer lines to the extent that they can no longer carry off the
<br />sewage by gravity flow. Sewage in the lines then seeks its new level
<br />which may be above the level of household drains. Backflow
<br />pressure reverses normal f.low and raw sewage runs from floor
<br />drains, toilets, tubs, sinks, basins, and appliances.
<br />
<br />To avoid this backflow of sewage, it is necessary to close off all of
<br />these entries into the house. Many of these are difficult to close. For
<br />example, stopping the wash basin drain does not stop the basin
<br />overflow from carrying backftow into the house. The basin,
<br />therefore, must be plugged at the trap fitting. This could be done by
<br />removing the trap from under the basin and plugging the sewer side
<br />of the drain pipe. A more effective method, however, is to install a
<br />backflow valve on the main sewer outlet line as described on
<br />pages 5-5 through 5-6.
<br />
<br />Appliances
<br />
<br />Disconnect and store small, transportable appliances (toasters,
<br />blenders, percolators, and other electrical devices) at the highest
<br />possible level (e.g., second floor or attic). If possible and if time
<br />permits, wrap these appliances and others in plastic and tie as
<br />shown in Figure 3-3 (for a large appliance).
<br />
<br />Seal openings of the large appliances with wide tape such as
<br />masking or waterproof adhesive tape (be liberal), tie shut, and
<br />anchor the applicances to prevent buoyancy and thus their
<br />damaging themselves and surroundings. If you are not able to
<br />anchor these appliances, leave them open to allow water into the
<br />interior to prevent buoyancy. NOTE: Top-loading dishwashers and
<br />clothes washers should first be filled and weighted down with clean
<br />water to prevent buoyancy. Dryers can be weighted down with
<br />sandbags. Freezers can be weighted down with food and then
<br />sealed and anchored.
<br />
<br />Disconnect heavy, unmovable applicances because when the
<br />electrical service is being returned to your home after a flood, all
<br />appliances must be disconnected to facilitate determining whether
<br />any electrical problems are the fault of the electrical distribution
<br />system or an appliance. Due to water debris or wreckage, getting to
<br />electrical outlets to disconnect appliances after a flood may be
<br />difficult as well as dangerous.
<br />
<br />Remove, if time and manpower permit, electrical motors from
<br />washers and dryers (those from dishwashers are usually difficult to
<br />remove due to their integral attachment to the pump), seal in plastic
<br />bags, and take to a higher level with small appliances. Motors are
<br />sensitive to water and are expensive to recondition. If a sump pump
<br />is used in the basement, remove and store it in a safe, dry place
<br />above anticipated flood level. This will make the pump available
<br />when you return for use in pumping out any water remaining in the
<br />basement.
<br />
<br />If you have a second floor that is expected to stay dry, carry as
<br />many belongings as possible upstairs, but be careful not to
<br />overload it.
<br />
<br />If flood water is expected to rise above table height on your first
<br />floor, prop open all doors to all rooms and to the outside and open
<br />all windows to allow water to flow freely throughout your home. An
<br />equal water level inside and outside will cancel hydrostatic
<br />pressure on the walls and floors and lessen chances of major
<br />structural damage on your home. A house so filled with water is not
<br />likely to lift off its foundation or tip over.
<br />
<br />_4
<br />I \\\\-rn---r,;;:;'c~ I ~:r-----~
<br />,,\\l'\,IYcd-i:"" , _""
<br />I'c' ," ,~':
<br />" ~
<br />",~ \
<br />, \ {j '\/ --- :'~!
<br />I \ \ 1,,1 Jt'" _--L__'ji!
<br />'\ -\
<br />, I
<br />I
<br />I I , "
<br />I I'
<br />(I e\'
<br />
<br />
<br />Figure 3-3
<br />Sealing Appliances
<br />
<br />3-3
<br />
|