Clean up before you start work
We urge all QBCC licensees who are engaged to work on a property that has been damaged by flooding or storms to ensure they take proper safety precautions before they get to work.
So, here are some key steps to restoring a house after flood damage:
- all services must be made safe before any remedial work begins and particularly where occupancy is required before finishing work commences
- flood debris should be cleared away as soon as possible so drying can start
- plinths (kickers) should be removed from beneath kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow for proper drying
- if necessary, plasterboard linings should be partially removed to allow walls to dry out
- check for moisture content - no finishing work should be done until the moisture content of wall framing has dropped below 16 percent.
To help you in the initial clean up stage, we have developed a couple of checklists:
Repairing a flood-damaged property
It is essential the house is sufficiently dry before repair work is carried out.
Undertaking repairs to the structure and finishes before the house is properly dry can result in many problems down the track, including (but not limited to):
- poor adhesion (blistering) of finishes
- materials continuing to move as they finish drying, resulting in cracking
- lifting and bubbling of vinyl floor coverings
- health problems for occupants.
Also remember, timber absorbs water, so if you are working on a timber or timber-framed house there are further considerations to take into account before you start work.
All reinstatement work must be carried out in accordance with the Building Code of Australia.
For more information read:
Repair plumbing and drainage work
When repairing properties with damaged plumbing, it is important to identify if any permits are required prior to starting work, or if the work is notifiable work and needs to be registered with the QBCC.
Most plumbing and drainage work performed in existing buildings falls into one of 12 categories of notifiable work. If you are unsure, use our tool to find out if it is notifiable work.
Learn more about how and when to register notifiable work.
