Surviving a flood is one of the toughest yet incredible achievements in life. Indeed, it takes courage to accept that you have lost some property, pets, and in some extreme cases, your loved ones. It also takes a bravery to restore a home after the damages. This article makes it easier for you by detailing the best ways to go through the restoration process successfully.
What Does A Flood Do To Your Home?
The first step towards restoring your home after floods is to understand the level of damage that can be caused by water Floods:
Causes a Crack to a Home’s Foundation
When a home is built on clay soil and concrete slabs, there is a chance that the foundation will crack after a flood. The slab will be lifted to the end that it cracks. The pipes could rupture while the roof may sag when the foundation is compromised. You may also notice that the windows and doors do not open because the frames are distorted as the house shifted. If the property is uninhabitable, there are many options for emergency accommodation.
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Damages the Insulation
Home Insulation that is made of fibres or foam will be soaked during a flood. Even so, closed-cell foam remains in perfect condition.
Ushers In the Growth of Mould
The flood water provides the right conditions for mould to grow. The moisture will last on the surface for a long time unless it is dried up during the renovations.
Causes Swelling Of Wood
Wood will naturally absorb moisture during a flood. However, it is likely to return to its original shape when dry.
Leaves Harmful Debris
Flood water leaves behind debris that can pose health hazards in your home. The garbage will attract pests. Germs and bacteria will also thrive if the problem remains unaddressed.
Stains and Destroys Upholstery
Your carpets may be stained after the floods. The moisture retained in the upholstery may also give perfect conditions for fungi and mould’s growth.
Damages the Electrical System
Most of the wiring is likely to survive after a flood if freshwater is involved. Otherwise, the salt water will corrode the wires and render them worthless. The appliances such as refrigerators must also be checked to determine whether the water has damaged the insulation.
Ruins Floors
Depending on the type of floor, flooding can cause significant damage to the area. For instance, you will notice that laminate floors peel off. Notably, the level of damage in a home depends on the duration and intensity of a flood. A lengthy flood, whose water covers major parts of your home, will leave behind significant damages. Otherwise, you may be in a position to restore your home easily when the water height is low.
Furthermore, the characteristics of the ground in which you have built your home will play a role. Some soils are unable to hold your home’s foundation accordingly. Still, you may not need to worry if your building’s materials are strong, and when the sophisticated methods are used in the construction process.
To restore your home after the flood, you must:
1. Make an Assessment on the Level of Damage
The first and most critical step of restoring a home after a flood is to make an assessment on what is damaged. You may want to call a specialist to test things such as electrical appliances.
A building expert will also tell you whether it is necessary to replace or repair flooring, insulation, walls, and other fixtures. More so, consider doing an air test to ensure that it matches the conditions outside the home.
Remarkably, a proper assessment will help you to budget and determine the amount of time it will take to restore your home. It is hence important to find skilled and experienced specialists to help you through.
As you go back to your home for the damage assessments, wearing protective gear is crucial. Buy rubber boots, masks, gloves, and respirators to avoid accidents and health complications. Further, you must cut off power, water, and gas.
Moreover, you must check hidden spaces for standing water. This is inclusive of drawers and kitchen cabinets. This water should be released immediately. You can drill holes in some areas such as the base of a toe kick in the cabinets. Even more, it is worthwhile to get the relevant information from the authorities and media after the floods. You may realize that more precaution is required because of the changing weather patterns. It is also important to find out if funding is being provided for the victims.
2. Call the Insurance Company
An insurance company may cover a part or the whole cost of restoring a home. Document and take photos of your home before calling them for an evaluation (Get a free online house valuation). Note that it may take a few weeks before getting the funds because insurance companies take a while to conduct their assessments.
3. Hire the Contractors for Different Services
Depending on the intensity of the flood, it may be daunting to engage in DIY home restoration. You must call various specialists including:
- A cleaning company. The specialists will remove the debris efficiently left behind after the flood. Reliable cleaners have equipment and techniques for identifying hazardous materials and dealing with them properly. They will also get rid of pests, fungi, algae, and mould using either natural or synthetic methods. The use of disinfectants will also be helpful in creating the right living conditions in your space.
- Drainage experts. Good companies know how and where to unblock or even construct drainages, so that the remaining water is directed away from your home. In fact, you may avoid significant level of damages in the future when the drainages are unblocked accordingly.
- A licensed electrical contractor will check the electrical wires and appliances before making proper fixes. Simple repairs may be all that is needed in this case. However, water can damage the electrical system to the extent that a re-wiring of an entire home and purchase of new electrical appliances is mandatory.
- HVAC specialist. Call the professionals for repairs if you suspect that the water has gotten into the heat ducts and registers. The service providers may also recommend the right dehumidifiers to eliminate the extra moisture in your home. Commercial products are better than what is used in home settings because they create the strong air flow required after the floods.
- Building contractors. The professionals will replace the floors, if it is completely damaged. The walls may also require simple renovations. They will also remove insulation, since it is likely to compress after the floods. It may not dry completely even after a long period, giving room for the growth of mould and mildew. This also affects the air quality. Replacing it is hence advised.
4. Be Creative
You may want to come up with a new look in your interior and exterior space. Instead of opting for the same furniture arrangement, be creative enough to find different ways of working with what has been left behind. It may be worthwhile to go for yard sales and find antique pieces of décor for your home.
Painting your home creatively will also make a big difference. Also, ask the contractors to use stronger materials and modern designs to usher in a new look. Having done so, you will have made lemonades out of the lemons that the flood threw your way.
5. Be Patient
It is understandable that you yearn to get a sense of normalcy after the floods. You may be tempted to rush through the renovation process so that you can go back to your home. Even so, patience is pertinent because some of the places and items will take longer to dry. The cleaning process and building drainages may also take time. You must be patient as the experts provide the services. It also gives you time to come into terms with the losses and new look in your home.
6. Reconstruct Your Home to Withstand Future Floods
You may want to build your home in a way that extensive damages are avoided in the future. This requires you to:
- Rebuild it higher off the ground than what is required in a zone. You could also raise an existing house.
- Change the insulation to ensure that it can resist floods.
- Opt for a ceramic tile on your floors as opposed to other materials.
- Elevate electrical appliances off the ground.
Certainly, you can restore your home after flooding effectively and efficiently. Finding the right professionals to make the necessary assessments is critical so that you can make the right plans and decisions. The specialists will also help you repair and replace the damages appliances and places. Calling the drainage experts will help to unblock your blocked drains. One of the most reliable companies to call in this case is the BDS drainage. Priding in its ability to engage skilled and experienced engineers, the company has continued to satisfy clients in London over the years.
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