Standards for the repair of buildings following flooding (C623)

Flooding is a major problem for many people in the United Kingdom, posing a risk to health, safety and wellbeing, and resulting in widespread damage to property. In the autumn 2000 floods, 10 000 properties were flooded at more than 700 locations at a cost in the order of £1.0 billion. With the effects of climate change and increased societal pressures on the country’s infrastructure and services, the risks of flooding are predicted to increase considerably.

Flood damage to properties can range from minor effects on walls, floors, basements and services to serious structural damage to buildings. However, practical steps can be taken to reduce the cost of flood damage and to speed up recovery times should the flood return.

The repair of buildings has to be appropriate to both the extent of damage and the risk of future flood. As the risk increases the proposed standard of repair is more rigorous, effectively increasing the resilience or resistance of the building to flooding. Three levels of standards of repair are included in the guidance. For each standard of repair, guidance is provided for external walls, internal walls, floors, fenestration, basements, services and fittings.

The guide contains illustrations of damage, surveys, drying and decontamination, and repair work to buildings. Appendices include guidance to homeowners, technical information, key organisations that can advise on flooding and information on the provision of insurance.

Keywords: sustainable construction, concrete and structures, materials, design and buildability, housing, refurbishment, flooding.

ISBN: 978-0-86017-623-7

Author: S Garvin, J Reid, M Scott

Number of pages: 134 (paperback)

Publisher: CIRIA

Date of Publication: June 2005