Builders & Renovations FAQs

What is flood resilient house design?

Floods are one of the most destructive natural disasters and can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure. Flood resilient house design is an essential aspect of building homes that can withstand floods and reduce the potential for damage. 

Flood resilient design approaches can help ensure that new homes are built to withstand the impact of flooding and minimise damage. We will explore flood resilient design approaches and practical building upgrades that can be implemented to enhance flood resilience.

The benefits of flood resilient design are far reaching and support the economic, social and environmental recovery of a community following a flood

Qld.gov.au

Flood resilient house design is crucial in minimising the impact of floods on homes and infrastructure. Implementing flood resilient design approaches and practical building upgrades can help enhance the flood resilience of homes. Elevation of houses and services, using flood-resistant materials, and designing homes to allow for easy water entry and exit are effective flood resilient design approaches. 

Practical building upgrades such as flood barriers, flood vents, and sealing entry points can also be implemented to enhance flood resilience. By implementing these approaches, you can reduce the potential for flood damage and ensure the safety of your property.

Benefits of a flood resilient home 

By incorporating flood resilient design and construction techniques, homeowners can potentially lower long term costs related to flood damage and insurance premiums.

The aim of a flood resilient home is to: 

• Reduce flood damage to your property
• Reduce the difficulties of getting everything in your home back to normal
• Reduce costs incurred when temporary relocation is necessary
• Potentially provide you with the benefit of lower insurance premiums
• Prepare your home for the possibility of changing future flood conditions
• Be ready for flooding events and allow you to recover more swiftly from them

Flood resilient design approaches

Wet proofing

Accepting a level of risk, wet proofing enables you to work with water rather than against it in the event of a flood. Utilising flood resilient materials and construction methods will help minimise potential damage or moisture problems afterwards; making your home better prepared for next time. By creating space for water to flow through, going with the flow becomes an important part of managing floods more effectively.

Dry proofing

Sealing the exterior of your home is an important preventative measure against water damage. Flood doors are a popular option for low-level floods, but when faced with deeper depths it’s vital to understand that this method can put greater force on buildings, potentially leading to cracking or movement away from foundations; not only exposing them to further risk, but potentially flooding neighbouring properties too.

Elevation 

To reduce the risk of heavy flooding damaging your home, raise its level and services above the flood level projected. Ensure that any foundations, posts or slabs are able withstand water levels as they rise. In order to protect major utilities such as air conditioners, hot water systems and electrical meter boards from being affected, having them set at an elevated position can prove invaluable in minimising potential disruptions.

🔴 Permeable Fences & Screens

By using materials that allow water to pass through, such as wire mesh or bamboo, you can prevent water from accumulating and causing damage to your home. Permeable fences and screens are less likely to be broken or damaged by the power of the water.

🟠 Single Skin Hardwood Framed Polycarbonate Wall

Single skin hardwood framed polycarbonate walls provide an excellent solution for the creation of non-habitable spaces, allowing natural sunlight to flood in. Single skin walls provide resilience from flooding as they don’t have a cavity to trap moisture or water.

🟡 Polished Concrete Stair

Polished concrete is not only highly durable and resilient, it also absorbs negligible amounts of water and dries quickly. Polished concrete is easy to clean after flooding.

🟢 Marine-Ply Cabinetry with Stainless Steel Frame

Kitchen cabinetry is one of the costliest items to repair or replace after a flood. Fortunately, using materials like marine ply and stainless steel frames for your cabinetry can provide your kitchen with removable cabinets to relocate them where they will be high and dry when the flood comes.

🔵 Internal Void

Large possessions can be placed safe from flood waters in high internal voids.

🟣 Polished Concrete Floor

Polished concrete is not only highly durable and resilient, it also absorbs negligible amounts of water and dries quickly. Polished concrete is easy to clean after flooding.

🟤 Flush Aluminium Door Sill

For an easier post-flood cleanup, consider recessing door sills into the floor. This ensures dirt and mud won't settle in hard to reach spaces.

⚫ Core-filled Blockwork Wall

Core-filled blockwork walls are the perfect choice for flood resilience as they offer superior protection from water damage and require hardly any post-flood cleaning or repairs. Plus, their extra weight adds an extra layer of defence against uplift forces.

⚪ Sealed Stone Floor & Wall Tiles

Sealed stone tiles are a great choice for areas at risk of flooding as they won't absorb water, making cleaning up after a flood much easier. Furthermore, tiling the walls above flood level is also beneficial when it comes to cleanup.

Flood resilient strategies to consider for house design

• Water resistant materials for cladding
• Single skin construction systems
• Composite constructions systems
• Adequate drainage and ventilation to the subfloor area
• Install air vents with automatic water prevention
• No cavities under stairs
• Water resistant internal linings, framing
• Closed cell insulation
• Ceilings without linings and cavities
• Internal voids and elevated storage spaces above the possible flood line
• Solid core doors and/or aluminium and glass doors
• Weatherproofed door and window frames

Flood resistant materials

List of recommended flood resistant products found in QLD.gov.au - Flood Resilient Building Guidance

 

Reference: QLD.gov.au - Flood Resilient Building Guidance for QLD Homes