Glossary of Water Damage Restoration & Flood Preparedness Terms - F

Flash Flood

A flood caused by heavy rainfall within a very short amount of time, generally less than 8 hours. It may also be caused by a dam collapse. This causes water levels to rise and fall very quickly. This type of flood is very dangerous, and generally causes significant property damage because of the rapidity of the onset of damage.

Flood clean up

Flood clean up is very dangerous as there is the potential for electrical hazards, and carbon monoxide exposure. There is also the potential of exposure to many biological contaminants in the water, as well as sharp and unsafe debris, organic matter and body fluids. Cleaning up a severe flood requires an water damage specialist to come in and pump all of the water out and then use dehumidifiers and extractors to remove excess water still lurking in carpet/flooring and walls.

Flood Zone

This is a geographic area which is potentially subject to flood damage. All properties in flood zones are required to carry flood insurance. These high risk areas are designated by FEMA on a flood insurance rate map, or FIRM. See also: FEMA

Floor drying

Damage restoration technicians use specialty equipment such as injectidry drying system, and wood floor drying panels to remove water from floors and dry them in a timely manner. If water is left untreated on a floor, it can become trapped in between the top surface and the sub-flooring. If the floor is left to dry on its own or dried too fast, the sub-floor and surface dry at different rates. This can cause cupping and/or crowning, which causes the floors to look ridged. You should speak to a restoration technician as soon as possible, after flood damage has occured, to prevent buckling of floors, cupping or crowning.