Eight Essential Ways of Restoration of Your Home after a Flood

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: October 30, 2021

Floods are painful disasters; they can strike unexpectedly and destroy everything in their path. Flood is the deadliest type of weather condition. It is an overflow of water that engulfs dry land.

There are different types of flooding, but the outcome is the same, water gradually builds up to a few feet. It becomes challenging to navigate through flooded terrains.

Restoration of Your Home after a Flood

It not only destroys houses and infrastructure but also brings a wave of diseases and contaminates food. If you’ve been a victim of flooding, first make sure you and your family are safe and far from any danger zones.

When your neighborhood is cleared for usage only then, you can go back and work on house restoration. There are some rules you’d have to follow as you work on fixing your house. Here’s what you need to do to restore your home after a flood:

  • Drain Your House

Submersible Pump

When you can access your house, you need to drain all the water flowing through it. A submersible pump is a handy tool that can help pump water from your home. If you allow water to stay in your house for a long, it will increase the extent of the damage.

Therefore, it’s a good idea you start pumping as soon as possible. It would help if you tried getting as much water out of your house within the first 48 hours. Any furniture or decoration that doesn’t dry right away needs to go. Water can seep into your floors and walls, and soggy furniture or decor only accelerates the process.

It’s a good idea to search for professionals around your area to get help in this restoration process. For instance, if you live in Austin, Texas, you can visit the website of restoration experts to get professional help.

  • Call Your Insurance Company

Call Insurance Company

Water damage can get extensive. It will help if you have insurance to help you get back on your feet. Insurance companies need proof that the damage is as comprehensive as your claim.

You need to document the damage through photos and paperwork on your house. It will help if you have pictures of your home before the flood struck to reinforce the damage further. Your paperwork should be enough to inform the insurance company you own the house and pay taxes. When you have these documents in order, submit your claim and wait for an answer.

  • Take Account of the Moisture

When you remove stagnant water, you’ll get a clearer idea of how extensive the damage is. It would help if you made intelligent decisions because the moisture that is left behind can encourage mold. It is recommended that you don’t attempt to remove mold on your own. License technicians will be active around flooding season.

You need to hire their expertise and let them map your house. The detection equipment these professionals carry helps you see the extent of the damage thoroughly. You don’t need to damage your home further to see how far the water traveled. It will be easier to decide your next move when you have an outline of your house in mind.

  • Start Treating Mold

It would help if you began treating mold. Stagnant water and trapped moisture are the ideal breeding ground for fungi. Professionals can help you remove carpets, furniture, and curtains that are not drying. They can then follow up on the treatment by using fungicide and sterilization to clean up the area.

The final process is ventilating your house to get rid of microbes and spores and unpleasant odors. These treatment methods can prevent fungus from growing and keep your home safe. Your house is habitable once again.

  • Begin the Renovation Process

Restoration of Your Home after a Flood

High-pressure water is strong enough to damage your house’s structure. Flood is fast-flowing water with rapid currents that can cause severe damage. The kitchen and bathrooms are most prone to damage. The pipes and the fixtures may get impacted by the flood. If your entire house needs fixing, start with areas of high priority.

Don’t reclaim your home but give it a complete makeover. You may need new appliances as there is a chance the flood will destroy them. If your fridge has any food, get rid of them and check your fridge for damages. It would help if you looked into waterproofing your house. There is also waterproof paint available that can coat surfaces and walls.

  • Fix Interior Walls

Your walls need attention too. If your walls support insulation, you want waterproof insulation. Most houses have fiberglass, but these are not useful for flooding. You can invest in polystyrene foam boards and replace the drywall with cement boards.

These materials don’t absorb water and prevent any future mold. Consider replacing your wooden floors with PVC or ceramic tiles. So if you experience flooding again, your house will stay safe.

  • Repair Windows and Exterior Walls

Windows and exterior walls are challenging parts to fix. During emergencies, rescue teams break down windows and doors to exit. The water currents bring debris and trees with them, which can easily crash into your house. If your home is wooden, the damage will be extensive. If your house is made of bricks, it can withstand high-pressure water.

So when you begin the process of renovation, consider getting your home lined with bricks. It would help if you got more robust windows designed to tolerate floods. In these cases, it helps to have the insurance company in your corner.

  • Consider Buying New Furniture

Buying New Furniture 1

Don’t try to salvage furniture. While it will cost a fortune, furniture that you can replace should get replaced. Your renovated space should have fresh and dry furniture. You don’t want to invite microbes and fungi into your house again.

While you’re purchasing new furniture, consider paying a visit to your garage. Check out what family heirlooms you can replace and what are still in good shape. The process of buying furniture makes up the final touches of fixing your house.

Final Words

Flooding is a terrifying natural disaster. Water under high pressure and intensity can cause substantial damage. While you can’t control flooding, you can find ways to protect your house. When the flood subsides, you should look at the restoration process. You need to start draining the water in your home and follow it up with proper cleaning.

After your house is nice and dry, consider buying new equipment and furniture to complete the renovation process. Every step of the way, you need professional help as well as utilize insurance. These methods are the only way you can pull your house back from flooding.

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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