Reacción a "What are the risks for buildings affected by the Valencia DANA? "

The risk to the structural stability of buildings increases considerably when water has eroded the foundation. This occurs if there has been a flow of water that has worn away the soil under the foundation, creating a gap that could cause settlement, leading to cracks or even partial collapse of the building. In buildings with load-bearing walls, such settlement would cause cracks in the walls, forming discharge arches or, in severe cases, the collapse of the wall.

Another possible situation is that water at high velocity impacts on the facades, which may cause the facades to collapse and, consequently, the building to collapse to a large extent. When water infiltrates through walls or in case of flooding, the damage affects installations, cladding and finishes. It is essential to have these elements checked by a professional installer before putting them back into operation. In the case of finishes, the damage is mainly aesthetic and, before applying the final paint, it is necessary to clean the surface and wait for it to dry.

The assessment of the damage should be carried out by professionals with building-related qualifications, such as architects or technical architects, who are the best people to assess the urgency of the interventions, especially if the fire brigade has not previously acted ex officio.