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NDSU Offers Tips on Salvaging Flood-damaged Ag Buildings

NDSU has information that can help you as you clean and repair flood-damaged agricultural structures.

Buildings that have been exposed to floodwater need to be evaluated for the extent of damage and the amount of cleanup and repairs necessary to restore them to a useable condition.

“The first thing that needs to be done with a building that has survived a flood is to check its structural strength,” says Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer and flooding expert. “If the building has been moved, shifted or twisted, it may not be safe to enter. Check the foundation, sill, plate, roof supports and walls for damage. If there is extensive damage to the building, it probably will be less expensive to tear it down and start again with a new building, as compared with attempting to repair the damaged structure.”

More information on evaluating the structure is available online at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/newsrelease/2005/062305/07determ.htm.

A rule of thumb is that if repairs and restoration cost more than 60 percent, building new usually is best.

Here are some tips for cleanup and repairs in specific areas:

Electrical Equipment

  • Inspect wiring and plumbing for damage from the flood’s pressure. Electrical outlets, switches, sockets and fuse boxes generally need to be replaced. Check with an electrician.
  • Do not turn on the power to a flooded structure until it has been inspected and a qualified person has determined it is safe.
  • Disconnect the equipment from the power source and completely disassemble and clean it before using it. Do not run electric motors until they are clean, dry and free-running and a qualified person judges them to be safe. This means that air conditioners, furnaces, appliances, feed augers, fans and other equipment may not be approved for use for several days.
  • Alternatives may be necessary to get a flood-damaged farmstead back into operation. This could involve moving dairy cows to a neighbor’s milking unit, utilizing natural instead of mechanical ventilation and feeding by hand. Animals housed in mechanically ventilated buildings may need to be moved to prevent acute exposure to hazardous gases.

Cleaning and Drying the Structure

  • After the water subsides, clean and dry out the building as much as possible. This can include using a sump pump, mops, fans and/or natural ventilation.
  • All floors probably will be covered with layers of silt and mud. This will need to be removed and that is easier to do before it dries. Wood floors that have absorbed a lot of water could be buckled. Do not repair them until they are fully dried.
  • When the wood is dry, inspect laminated woods, such as plywood, that have been immersed in water to be sure laminations still are bonded together firmly. Check existing nails to determine whether they still are driven firmly.
  • If the building was insulated, the wet insulation must be removed. Floodwater often will leave absorbent material with a foul odor that is difficult to remove. When checking the insulation, expect it to be wet above the high-water level because of the material’s wicking action.
  • If the interior wall sheathing is drywall, it will need to be replaced. Usually the interior sheathing in the out-buildings will be wood, which can be removed, dried and reused. After the sheathing and insulation are removed, inspect the wall studs, sills and plates for structural damage. Damaged components will need to be repaired or replaced.

Here is some other advice for flooded farmsteads:

Livestock Building Equipment

Thoroughly clean milking equipment, grain augers, ventilation fans and other items that were immersed in the floodwater to remove grit or other contaminants.

Water Systems

If a well is used for the water supply, test the water to determine if it is safe for human or livestock consumption. A well that has been contaminated by floodwater usually can be cleaned and sanitized. If a rural water system is being used, check for breaks or leaks in the supply and distribution pipes. Flushing all your water lines after the flood also would be a good idea.

Fuel and Chemical Storage Areas

If these supplies are spilled or have water damage, special measures may be needed for proper and safe cleanup and disposal. Your county Extension office has information on the methods necessary for safe cleanup.

Farm Shops

Clean, dry and lightly oil all metal tools to prevent rusting. Power tools will need individual cleaning and drying before they are used. Belts, nails, screws, etc., will need to be dried to prevent rusting.

“Cleaning up after a flood presents many problems,” Hellevang says. “Try to remain calm. Survey the farmstead, evaluate the amount and location of the damage and then prioritize the necessary cleanup. Your county Extension agent can help you.”

For more information on coping with flood cleanup, visit NDSU’s flood information Web site at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/flood.html.


NDSU Agriculture Communication

Source:Ken Hellevang, (701) 231-7243, kenneth.hellevang@ndsu.edu
Editor:Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu
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