Am in coastal NC. Due to Hurricane Ophelia I now have a flood damage job. Have a finished vestibule and laundry room below the flood zone. Code says I have to replace damaged floor and wall material with something flood proof. Any ideas on what I can use? This is my first time dealing with this issue. House had about 2 feet of water in it. Everything is wood framed. Framing was not damaged enough to require replacement however sheetrock and linoleum floor was. Concrete block is not really feasable and treated plywood will look terrible in my opinion. What is everyone using?
John
Replies
Use ceramic or porcelain tile for the floor.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I was under the impression from a FEMA bulletin TB 2-93 (can be found at the FEMA website) that I cannot use ceramic, it does not list porcelin. Is there a special grout that is useable to use ceramic? HO wants to use ceramic I could be a hero if I can get it to pass inspection.
John
I'm not familiar with the FEMA requirements. My thought was that hard tile is not damaged by water ... that's what's used ina shower.
Does the FEMA bulletin list acceptable products?
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
It does list some. But you bring up a good point I had not thought of. I will have to check into that.
Just a thought, But I had a customer who used rockite in commercial kitchens, and Commercial food processing areas, just a thought but it might work.
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/job4.pdf
Link to FEMA bulletin not alot of options was hoping someone knew of some others.
Looks like textured or stained concrete might be a sure way to go. Taunton has some good books on this. Or, certain types of wood floors.
The footnote for ceramic tile says with organic adhesives. I wonder if FEMA would pass it with exterior thinset mortar and exterior grout?
There don't appear to be many choices, but, if a homeowner wants to build a building in an area that will flood they would be foolish to use something that is not known to work.
There is also area rugs over concrete.
Is azek beadboard "flood proof"?
Good Idea thanks. I am thinking if I use treated plywood then cover with the AZEK it will look preety good. Will check with building inspector on this one.
John
You bet, I've got a project up in Corolla. . .
I don't know what FEMA says but consider 1/2 inch cement board and steel studs for the walls. It won't support mold growth and can stay submerged without degrading. You'll want to use fiberglass tape and thinset or a cement based product for the joints, not drywall compound.
My parents just had to pull out all the walls in ther New Orleans basement after Katrina and 20 inches of standing water...
Billy
Don't have the paper with the list of materials here, but I think it said I could use cement board. The BI shot down the AZEK idea, says it is not on the list of approved materials, fiberflass doors are not even mentioned in the bulletin but he said I can use them. Will not let me use ceramic tile per the FEMA bulletin. But ceramic tile is used in swimming pools everyday, explain that. any more ideas or suggestions are appreciated.
John
How did they dry out the sheathing? I've just returned from Miss, gulf coast. We "mucked out" several houses, that if sheathing could be safely dried out, reconstruction would move pretty quickly.
It's an old house and the sheathing is solid 1x6 run diagonally and the siding is cypress. The initial drying was done with the windows open and fans on a generator. It took another week or two to get the electricity connected and there's a big dehumidifier running 24/7. There's no air conditioning because the compressors were underwater and as weel as the blower motor in the central unit.
The unit is a "Santa Fe Advance Dehumidifier." Get the condensate pump too.http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/santafedeh.html?psysVid=r3bt92me
My brother sprayed the sheathing and framing with a Boracare solution which will help prevent furure mold growth.
Billy
Edited 10/28/2005 10:42 pm ET by Billy
Thanks Billy. I'm going to pass this on to some people in need of much help..Give thanks and praises,Bill