While any flooding can cause severe water damage and may be very hard to deal with, coastal flooding is a whole different story. It is mainly because coastal floods include salty water, which is more corrosive and therefore causes more damage to your property, as well as the anti-flooding solutions you may use.
In this article, we shall explain why you may need different flood protection if you deal with coastal flooding and why salty water is so hard to deal with.
Why coastal flooding causes so much damage.
At first sight, the answer may seem pretty simple. Coastal floods are often associated with severe storms and waves, much more destructive than any flooding caused by a lake or river.
However, the recent floods in Germany, Spain, and Mexico demonstrate that in-land floods can be even more destructive in their nature than any coastal storm.
So why is coastal flooding so hard to deal with? The answer is salty water.
Here is why saltwater floods are so dangerous:
- Salty water is more corrosive - Salt can literally eat away most materials, including metals. That is why coastal flood defense solutions are often different from those used in-land;
- Salty water destroys buildings - along with the materials of flood barriers and dikes, salted water slowly but surely destroys the buildings` walls themselves. It means that even if you get and install new flood barriers that are resistant to salty water, the following coastal flooding can still get into the house because the walls won't be able to sustain it.
- Salty water changes the coastline - salted water destroys the soil making it shrink and corrode. It is another reason why coastal flooding happens more often and causes more destruction;
- The salt stays when the floodwater retreats - the biggest problem with coastal flooding is that the salt stays on all surfaces even when the floodwater retreats. It continues to corrode and destroy materials making them weaker and more vulnerable to the next flooding event.
So, does it mean that there is no anti-flooding solution that can withstand coastal flooding due to the danger and destructive nature of salty water?
How to protect your house from coastal flooding?
Knowing the dangers of salty water that make coastal flooding so hard to deal with, you can pick the anti-flooding solution that will work perfectly for your waterfront property:
- Removable flood barriers - once you can remove and clean the flood barrier easily after flooding, you are guaranteed that the salt will not continue destroying its materials in-between the floods;
- Simple constructions and durable materials - while salt literally eats most materials, you need to pick a flood gate made out of durable plastic that is easy to clean. Moreover, make sure that your flood barriers have simple construction that is easy to maintain and therefore replace the damaged parts without having to purchase a whole new flood defense product every time;
- Adjustable flood gate - since the salt in the coastal flooding water can corrode soil and materials, it is essential to pick an adjustable flood gate or flood barrier that will be able to expand or have an airbag that can be inflated and seal all the cracks and gaps in the door passage.
What to do after coastal flooding?
Here are some essential things you should do right after coastal flooding to make sure that you stay safe, the salty water will cause minimum damage and the corrosion won`t continue after the water retreats destroying your house and flood barriers:
- Wait until the official permission - if you had to evacuate, don`t return to the area affected by coastal flooding without official permission from the authorities. Stormy weather can be pretty unpredictable;
- Consider electricity safety - if your house was affected by coastal flooding it is essential to remember that salty water has much higher electricity conductibility. It means that you have bigger risks to get electrocuted by an affected appliance after coastal flooding. It is better to avoid turning them on until they are checked by a professional;
- Take photos and videos for the insurance company - dealing with the danger of coastal flooding you probably have a flood insurance policy. Don`t forget to document all damage made by salty water and storm to your house before you return to the building;
- Adress professionals - due to the fact that salty water causes massive soil and materials` erosion, it is better to invite a professional after coastal flooding to make sure that your house is safe to return and live in;
- Cleaning - it is essential to clear the salt from coastal flooding as soon and thoroughly as possible. Consider removing and replacing all elements that cannot be washed or were damaged severely. Once you notice any signs of corrosion or change of color sometime after coastal flooding, don`t ignore it and clean or replace the objects and materials right away. Otherwise, they can become a welcoming gate for floodwater when the disaster strikes next time.
Dam Easy Flood Barriers are used by multiple home and business owners who have waterfront properties and therefore are no strangers to coastal flooding. These flood gates are easy to install, remove and maintain. They are made out of durable materials that easily withstand corrosion from salty water. And the construction itself is perfectly efficient in case of coastal flooding.
Contact Dam Easy today and learn about our flood barriers and other anti-flooding solutions that will help you minimize the damage from coastal flooding and salty water.
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