CASE STUDY/REFERENCE

 

Hurricane - Flood Damage

 

 

This residence was affected by category 3 flood water (Black Water) during hurricane Isabel.  The flood waters rose to an elevation approximately 1" above the finished floor.

 

 

POST FLOOD CONDITIONS

 

ET first examined this structure on or about September 25.  The floor, sub floor and lower structural framing material had been exposed to the original flood waters for about three hours and had remained wet for ten days before demolition and drying activities began on September 10.

 

Using the Protimeter Moisture Measurement System and the Protimeter Hammer Electrode we determined the following:

 

Using the Protimeter Moisture Measurement System and the Protimeter Hammer Electrode we determined the following:

 

1.             The sub floor in the Living Room measured a moisture content of 61% at a depth of approximately 1/8".

2.             The sub floor in the front Bedroom measured a moisture content of 73% at a depth of approximately 1/8".

3.             The sub floor in the front Bedroom measured a moisture content of 39% at a depth of approximately 1/8".

                4.             The kitchen floor measured a moisture content of 24% at the surface.

5.             The sub floor in the Laundry Room measured a moisture content of 38% at a depth of

 approximately 1/8".

6.             In the crawl space the floor joists measured a moisture content of 37% at approximately 1/2".

 

The entire foot print of the first floor consisting of approximately 1500 square feet was involved in the drying activities.  This included the crawlspace, CMU foundation walls, floor joists, sub floor, lower wall cavity area, and utility room. 

 

The work consisted of:

 

Ø  Installing a vapor barrier in the crawlspace consisting of 6 mil poly to avoid the extra load on the equipment of drying the ground. 

Ø  Treating the foundation walls, floor joists, sub floor, base plates and exposed wall cavities with an anti-microbial agent.

Ø  Two LGR 28 gallon per day dehumidifiers and fourteen high volume air movers (2000 CFM) were used during interior drying activities.

Ø  One refrigerant type dehumidifier and two high volume air movers (2000 CFM) were used in the utility room.

Ø  In the crawlspace we used one 85,000 BTU portable furnace producing 165 degree 3% relative humidity air at the rate of 1200 cubic feet per minute in conjunction with three high volume air movers (2000 CFM) and one 1250 CFM air mover functioning as an exhaust unit to prevent pressurizing the crawlspace.

 

The moisture content of various building materials were measured at acceptable levels and drying activities concluded on October 27. 

 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS BEFORE & AFTER DRYING ACTIVITIES