Steps To Take To Prevent Construction Sites From Flooding

By Jennifer Dawson

Each flooding event costs an average of $4.7 billion, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Construction projects often fail to take precautions to prevent floods as floods are considered a rarity and construction projects are typically short-term. But with the number of floods rising and associated costs creeping up, it’s essential that contractors take steps to reduce the chance of a construction site flooding. Here are some tried and tested ways to do just that.

Stop pipes from freezing

Pipes on construction sites can freeze when the temperature drops to 32 degrees F. However, they’re most likely to freeze when it’s 20 degrees F or below. Frozen pipes are at risk of bursting which can then result in flooding. Some steps you can take to prevent freezing pipes and flooding include draining the pipes when cold weather is forecast. Insulation is an alternative method. The more the pipes are insulated, the less likely they are to freeze. Materials you can use include fiberglass wrap, cloth, foam, duct tape, and plastic. Regularly running warm water through any pipes based on a construction site will help to prevent blockages and freezing water too.

Utilize water pumps

Construction sites are prone to water buildup. Digging to create excavation pits, tunnels, and foundations is a normal part of the construction process. But these holes are vulnerable to pooling water and flooding. Water pumps should be used to pump water out of these areas. There are various pumps that can be used including reciprocating pumps, displacement pumps, submersible pumps, and diaphragm pumps. It’s crucial that water is removed from the area where the foundations of a property will be. Otherwise, the building will experience water damage. This then leads to mildew and mold which can cause structural issues. A property that is damp due to its foundations will need to undergo water restoration, which will include extraction, assessment, removal of damaged items, cleaning, and drying.

Lay down ground protection mats

Constructors require a lot of machinery and equipment to do their job. This equipment will be dragged across the ground to various locations on the construction site. The result of this is disturbed soil and loose ground particles. When it rains, the soil will turn to mud which can end up down drains. Too much mud down a drain will block it and a flood will occur. A simple solution to this problem is to lay down ground protection mats. These mats are made from timber and give a nice, even service for all sorts of equipment and machinery to drive across or be moved across. They can even be used on construction sites that have been flooded to help reduce downtime. 

Flooding can be a big problem on construction sites as it is often not thought about until it’s too late. All contractors should work to prevent a flood from occurring on a construction site so that they can work safely and promptly.