The architecture firm behind Queensland's flood-proofing guide says people who have adopted its building and design recommendations are saving money on their insurance premiums and getting back into their homes faster.
The Flood Resilient Building Guidance for Queensland Homes authored by Brisbane company James David Architect (JDA) was put to the test during the state's recent flood disaster — and it worked.
More than 140 homes upgraded in line with the guidance through Brisbane City Council's (BCC) flood resilience program were better protected during last month's deluge, allowing families to clean up and safely move back in within days.
JDA founder James Davidson said strategies like raising power points and sealing floors using skirting tiles not only saved homes, it reduced insurance costs for residents of flood-prone suburbs where premiums were on the rise.
"Insurers are open to reducing premiums if their assets are protected."
Understanding flood risk a simple place to start
Not everyone is eligible for financial assistance to flood-proof their homes, but Mr Davidson said understanding your flood risk and shelling out for a few essential upgrades could make a huge difference.
"The first thing I would suggest is asking a surveyor to give you a spot level of your ground floor — that costs somewhere between $300 and $500," he said.
"Once you've got that level, approach council about understanding whether you're affected by overland flow, creek or riverine flooding."
Mr Davidson said knowing what types of flooding your home was vulnerable to would reveal how long it could be exposed to water during a flood and what building materials to avoid.
"Overland flow flooding might be in and out within six to eight hours versus riverine flooding, which can stick around for three to four days," he said.
"Creek flooding generally could be one to two days."
Hollow materials, cavities pose health risk
Sodden plasterboard and insulation piled up on front yards and footpaths was a familiar sight during Queensland's flood clean-up and became a magnet for mould.
Mr Davidson said any cavity or gap between building materials, like the void between exterior cladding and an internal wall, were problematic following a flood.
"If you get water ingress in there then that's primed for mould growth and you can actually have long-term issues if you don't let things dry out enough," he said.
Queensland's flood resilience guidance recommends constructing walls from core-filled blocks or single-skin polycarbonate to eliminate cavities that can hold moisture and silt.
It also demonstrates how homes can be designed with spaces to lift important items higher when flooding starts, and styles of perimeter fencing to help floodwater flow away.
Keeping up with home maintenance and re-thinking material choice for items like kitchen cabinets and door frames could also save home owners money in the long run, according to Mr Davidson.
"We've generally used hardwood timber frames, rather than pine, because hardwood is less susceptible to mould and to swelling during an event," he said.
"There are a lot of materials on the market now that are affordable for cabinetry, waterproof products that can be rained on."
