Property damage can cause a significant impact on a family, leaving a traumatizing experience in its wake. Whether the damage is caused by leaking pipes, floods, or even tsunamis, it becomes a priority to check on the damage to ensure that restoration takes place using the best reconstruction management guides to get back to life as normal as soon as possible. Here are five ways to handle post-flood property restoration with nowhere to start.
Turn off power
The extent of damage in a home can be invisible to the naked eye, and one wrong move can cause electrocution or even a fire. If the primary power source in the home is in the house away from the main entrance, call in an electrician or reconstruction management company. It might be the only way to avert danger.
Wear protective gear
Protective clothing includes boots, gloves, and even eyewear. Do not enter a damaged property without such to avoid injuries.
Map the damage
The first step in property restoration processes is checking the extent of the damage. When walking through the home, it’s vital to have a checklist on all areas, performing inspections to detect the extent of moisture damage in the property. It’s advisable to contact a reconstruction company to use advanced equipment such as infrared and digital imaging to get the actual image without tearing down the property.
Locate critical areas
All houses have to pass basic inspection from the state, ensuring safety for habitability. In most states, this means that at least three critical rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room need to be strong and restored. Start by handling this area, but be prepared for a lot of damage to the kitchen and bathroom or areas that have different small materials. Getting a professional for the reconstruction management will help alleviate the mental load dealing with the building process and can be excellent guidance on things you would typically not have considered. Read more about 7 Modern Advantages of Virtual Home Tours.
Fortify the walls
After the initial clean-up of all the junk and gunk that needs to be replaced, it’s necessary to use better materials as replacements. Consider replacing all the fiberglass wall insulation with polystyrene as it’s better for insulation and does not soak in water, limiting any future water damage. Fortify the exterior walls with cement boards while using PVC boards for the baseboards. After testing the strength of the walls, finish off with excellent paint that is both waterproof and fire-resistant. Although some areas might be spared from the initial damage, treat the windows to ensure they have not loosened between the wall and the window frame. It will save on future protection and energy bills. When in doubt, it’s advisable to use the city codes guidelines.
Move to safer grounds sooner if the alert for flooding was announced earlier. The temporary housing will help ensure that it’s possible to carry all valuables. Families with children get to have more time to move to safety without panic. Remember that the restoration might take some time, and the temporary dwellings should be comfortable.
