Expert Tips and Tricks to Renovating Your Home After a Flood
There are convenient methods for renovating your home after a flood and we share some of these expert tips and tricks.
28/06/2020
Floods can be very damaging to your home, even if you see minimal damage to your home’s structure. Water damage can be worse than you think and gets more troublesome if left unchecked. A few years back, renovating and getting your house back in shape could almost be considered a lost cause due to the difficulty of the task, the lengthy cleaning, and restoration process, and the prohibitive expenses involved. Thanks to modern technology and some helpful tips and tricks developed by experts, there are now convenient ways of renovating your home after a flood. Read on as we share some of these expert tips and tricks.
Remove the Flood Water and Dry Your Home
There are two things you need to do right after your home has been flooded. Remove the flood water and dry it to remove the remaining moisture out of your home. You can manage to do the water removal and drying yourself, but the task would be long and arduous. A more practical and effective approach recommended by The Duct Kings Cleaning and Restoration is to hire professional home restoration and cleaning service. Most cleaning and restoration companies come with complete equipment and gears for removing water, cleaning, disinfecting, and drying out every nook and cranny of your home. Moisture removal is important and must be done as soon as possible to prevent structural deterioration due to moisture buildup and molds. Also, professionals can clean places like air ducts and dryer vents, which can be placed for mold buildup that can cause serious health problems for the occupants of your home.
Call Your Insurance Company
Flooding is one of the natural disasters that you are least prepared for. Even if you have managed to set aside some funds for home repair, it would most likely not be enough to cover the damage caused by the flood. To get additional financial coverage for your flooded home, call your insurance company right away. It should be done after the rain has passed or the inundation as subsided. Take photos or a video clip of the extent of the damage done to your home and send as supporting documentation if needed. You need to know the coverage of your insurance, so this documentation might be important along with getting professional assessment and support from your insurance provider.
Assess the Extent of the Damage
You can do an ocular inspection of where the
flood water has reached inside your home and
check the affected structures. The length of
time your home has been soaked in water may
vary, depending on natural disasters.
Thunderstorms usually dissipate
at least 24
hours, while hurricanes may take days or weeks
before the rain and floods have stopped. Your
home is composed of different materials that
have varying resistance against moisture and
flooding. Your flooring, foundation, doors,
windows, and drywalls are most vulnerable to
flooding, so check these areas once the flood
water has been removed and your home has been
dried. Also, check your water lines and pipes
for leaks and damages and have them fixed right
away.
Your hired cleaning and restoration
company can also do a moisture mapping beneath
the surface and walls, which can help you decide
if those parts need to be repaired or replaced.
Look for a Contractor
Now that you have an idea of the current
condition of your home after the flood and the
probable extent of the damage, you need to find
a suitable contractor to do the repairs and
renovations. Be sure to check and select ones
that have extensive experience in restoring and
renovating flood and water-damaged homes. Also,
check for client reviews, the company
background, and references to find out more
about the quality of work.
Have Your
Electrical System Checked
Another safety
precaution to do right after the flooding of
your home is to check for damages to your
wirings and electrical system. Even if the flood
has not reached your outlets and switches, it is
still best to have a licensed electrical
contractor or a building inspector assess the
safety of your electrical systems and wiring.
Also, an electrical contractor can check if your
fixtures and appliances have been affected by
floods, which can help prevent further damage to
the appliances and prevent risks of
electrocution and fire.
Get Rid of Non-Salvageable Items
Refrigerators, freezers, and ovens are most often rendered non-salvageable when flooded because water has penetrated their insulation. Other appliances though, can still be usable when checked and repaired by a professional. Upholstered furniture, draperies, and mattresses also need to be discarded if they have been soaked in floodwater. They can pose significant health hazards due to the accumulation of microorganisms from sewage leaks, domestic wastes, chemical spills, and other contaminants. Also, you are freeing up some space in your home and you can rethink how to change your interior design after the renovation.
A flooded home can be terrible news for any homeowner. However, technology and expert services have come a long way in solving the problems associated with water damages to our homes. All we need to do is take the necessary steps and hire professional help for most of the home restoration tasks. Working closely with restoration and cleaning professionals and contractors ensures that you can get home back into shape.