In Malaysia, a country known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes, flooding is a natural phenomenon that has challenged communities for generations. With changing weather patterns and growing urban development, flood resilience in housing has become more critical than ever. Unitrade, a leading building materials distributor, recognizes the importance of this issue and has made it our mission to provide innovative solutions for flood resistant construction.

The Importance of Flood Resilient Construction

Floods in Malaysia can cause devastating damages to property, livelihoods and even claim lives. It’s not just about water invading living spaces; floods can undermine foundations, ruin electrical systems and contaminate water supplies. Building homes with flood resilience in mind is an essential step towards safeguarding our communities from these risks.

Building Materials for Flood Resilient Homes

When it comes to building a flood resistant home, the choice of materials is paramount. Unitrade offers a wide array of quality building materials specifically designed to resist water damage, including:

Raised Foundations: Before even considering building materials in Malaysia, one of the best flood-resistant strategies is elevating the home on pilings or platforms. This keeps the living areas above the potential flood level.

Concrete: It’s a durable material and can withstand prolonged exposure to water without deteriorating. Reinforced concrete pillars can be used to elevate the structure, while concrete walls and floors can minimise water infiltration.

Bricks and Blocks: While traditional bricks can absorb water, you can use specially manufactured water-resistant bricks. Alternatively, use blocks that have been sealed to resist water.

Stainless or Galvanized Steel: Steel that’s treated to resist rust and corrosion can be an excellent material choice, especially for framing or reinforcements. The examples of stainless steel materials in Malaysia are stainless steel pipe, stainless steel fittings and u channel. Click here to see where to buy stainless steel fittings.

Cement Board: Instead of using traditional gypsum board (drywall) which can be damaged easily by water, consider using cement board for walls, especially in areas that might come in contact with water.

Water-resistant Plywood: For areas less likely to be submerged but still might be exposed to moisture, water-resistant plywood can be used.

Tiles: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are almost impervious to water. They’re excellent for floors and walls in flood-prone areas.

Closed-cell Spray Foam Insulation: Instead of traditional insulation materials, consider using closed-cell spray foam insulation. It resists water penetration and doesn’t lose its insulative properties when wet.

Composite Materials: Consider using composite materials for decking or other outdoor structures. They’re often made of plastic and wood fibres and resist moisture, decay and insect damage.

Sealants: Waterproof sealants can be used on a variety of surfaces to prevent water infiltration. Ensure that all the openings (windows, doors) have weather stripping and sealants.

High-positioned Electrical Outlets: While not a building material, it’s a crucial strategy. Raise all electrical outlets, switches and fixtures above the expected flood level to prevent electrical damage and reduce risks.

Non-porous Countertops and Cabinets: Using building materials like granite, quartz or metal can prevent water absorption in kitchens and bathrooms.

Sump Pumps: Install sump pumps in basements or lower levels to pump out water that might accumulate.

Backflow Prevention: Install backflow preventers in your sewer system to prevent floodwaters from backing up into your home.

Embracing Traditional Building Practices

In some parts of Malaysia, communities have been building flood-resilient homes for generations, using local materials and traditional techniques. Unitrade values these traditional practices and incorporates them into modern designs. By blending time-tested methods with cutting-edge materials, we create homes that are both culturally authentic and technically advanced.

Case Studies and Success Stories

There are numerous successful projects across Malaysia, demonstrating the effectiveness of our building materials and methodologies:

East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Housing Projects: In areas like Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and northern Johor, the ECER master plan has incorporated flood-resilient features into its housing projects. Some homes are elevated using stilts, and these houses also feature reinforced concrete structures, which are more resistant to floodwaters.

River of Life Project in Kuala Lumpur: Although primarily an urban regeneration and river cleaning initiative, the River of Life project has incorporated flood mitigation measures in its design. The beautification and modernization of the Klang and Gombak rivers include improved riverbanks, flood barriers, and improved drainage systems, indirectly promoting the resilience of homes and businesses along the riverbanks.

UNDP’s Community-Based Adaptation Programme: Implemented in the state of Selangor, this programme has been involved in constructing raised homes using local materials, improving drainage systems, and raising key infrastructures. The approach here was to involve the community directly in the planning and execution process, to make sure that the solutions were tailored to their needs.

Traditional Malay Houses: Historically, traditional Malay houses have been built on stilts, raising the living quarters above ground. This traditional design has provided a degree of flood resilience. Modern adaptations of this design concept have been proposed and implemented in newer housing projects, especially in flood-prone areas.

Conclusion

Flood-resilient homes are not merely a construction trend; they are a vital necessity for a country prone to flooding like Malaysia. Unitrade is committed to leading the way in this essential aspect of construction, offering innovative, reliable and environmentally sustainable building materials and solutions.

Our extensive range of products, coupled with our expert guidance, ensures that building a flood-resistant home in Malaysia is not just feasible but also cost-effective. Together, we can create safer, more resilient communities, one home at a time.

For more information on our products and services, please contact us today. Together, we’ll build a future that stands strong, even when the waters rise.