New Online Resource Centre for Flood Damage

A new online resource centre dedicated to improving the repair and recovery of flooded buildings - as well as the protection and resilience of properties under threat from water - has been launched by the Property Care Association (PCA).

The building maintenance trade body has developed http://www.property-care.org/flooding in a bid to raise awareness of the specialist work needed to deal with residential, commercial and industrial properties affected by floods.

Viewers online can watch a video on the subject, read news items, find out about PCA member training, and download technical information and case studies relating to real flood restoration projects.

http://www.property-care.org/flooding has been developed following on from the PCA’s introduction of its Flood Restoration Group, launched last year in a bid to tackle a spate of problematic repairs to flood damaged buildings in areas of the country that sustained severe flooding in 2007.

The PCA’s Flood Restoration Group has held discussions with organisations including the National Flood Forum, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Building Research Establishment in two key areas - to standardise more effective flood repairs after homes have been affected and to develop ways to help make homes more flood proof.

Part of the Group’s remit is to highlight the expertise of PCA members – whose professional skills include the structural waterproofing of buildings, as well as tackling damp problems - to address the issue.

Yasmin Chopin, executive director of the PCA, formerly the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA), said: “We have recognised the need for a ‘right first time’ approach to flood restoration.

 “PCA members have a wealth of experience in areas including damp control and below ground waterproofing – and these professional skills lend themselves to the issues of flood recovery and resilient repair.

“Solutions include control of water entering a structure in the first place, as well as effective repairs that mean damp is not going to affect a building six months down the line.

 “For flooded properties, PCA members can offer professional advice on drying-out buildings and what work needs to be done afterwards. They can also measure and monitor damp levels and prevent damp, dry rot and other problems taking their toll on a structure months, or even years, later.

“For flood-prone areas, the experience and skills developed by the PCA’s below ground waterproofing experts when creating dry basements can be adapted to use above ground level to create houses that are more resilient to water ingress.”

The PCA is a member of TrustMark, the scheme supported by government to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

The Property Care Association

 http://www.property-care.org

Telephone 0844 375 4301

ENDS

Notes To Editors

Noted for its training and technical expertise, The PCA represents the UK’s below ground waterproofing, damp control, timber preservation, structural repair and flood restoration sectors

It incorporates the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA), which has been in formation for more than 75 years.

The PCA is a member of TrustMark the scheme supported by the Government, to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

Its contractor members are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted to the Association.

As well as delivering a trusted repair procedure, PCA members are able to carry out specialist surveys as part of the house-buying procedure to identify potential problems – as well as a range of other services designed to preserve and protect homes and buildings across the UK.

To find a PCA member log on to http://www.property-care.org and select the ‘Find A Member’ service.

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd of Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685, mobile 07985 129315.