24th July 2007, 01:07 PM
Quote:quoteresumably stone churches will survive floods better than modern houses?
Dunno, depends. According to the EH advice note on Flooding and Historic Buildings: 'It is rare for the structural integrity of a historic building to be compromised'. However this does not rule it out. Once flood levels exceed around a metre above floor level structural damage is more likely.
The intensity of the flooding is also significant as damage could be caused by the scouring action of fast flowwing waters potentially undermining foundations - often much shallower in older buildings.
However, in the majority of cases damage will be limited to floor and wall coverings, fixtures, fittings etc. and if treated properly may have no significant long term effects whether the building is old or newish.
Longer term problems can be caused in historic buildings by efflorescence of salts held in masonry or brickwork. If impermeable (and inappropriate) modern paints or renders have been applied this can cause 'spalling' where the masonry surface cracks and peels. Lime based plaster as used in older buildings can also survive flooding without replacement as can structural timber. So you may have a point.