Whether you were the victim of a flood, natural disaster, or flooding due to plumbing failure, getting back on track after significant water damage is never easy. However, depending on the extent of the damage, it is possible to not only restore your home, but actually give it a second life and new look. Let’s take a look at the steps you should take to restore and renovate your home after a flood or accident.
Try to Salvage and Dry the Area as Soon as Possible
You shouldn’t wait for the water restoration professionals to come to start working. But before you do anything, make sure that there are no electrical hazards and that no source of electricity is in contact with the water. Make sure that you cut off all electricity to the area from the central breaker box. Then, you can start moving valuables and furniture out of the area. If you have a dehumidifier, you can use it once you’ve gotten everything out, but make sure that it’s plugged far away from the flooded area.
Find a Good Water Damage Restoration Team
Make sure that you work with a team with a lot of experience in water damage restoration. Make sure that their team members are certified, qualified and properly trained as well. Also, ensure that they take all the steps to prevent further damage beyond the surface.
Companies like PureOne Services, for instance, will take extra steps to remove unsalvageable items and damaged structures like flooring and drywall. They will then completely deodorize, disinfect and dry the remaining structure so issues don’t aggravate later on.
Check for Signs of Mold
Once restoration is complete, you should have an inspector come in and inspect the area for black mold. They will come in and take a few samples from the ceiling surface and remaining drywall for testing. Wait until you get the results back before you start anything since black mold can lead to a whole host of health and structural issues if left unattended.
Create Dust Barriers
Once you get the test results back and they’re negative, you can start working. But first, you have to make sure that you protect everyone inside the house from the dust and fumes that might emanate from the area. Make sure that you put barriers over windows or archways connecting to the work area. Also make sure that you block vents so that dust and fumes don’t end up getting dispersed around the property through your ventilation system.
Take the Opportunity to Make Some Upgrades
This could also be a chance to make some improvements to the house. If you wanted to replace the carpets with some hardwood or floating floors, this is the perfect time to do it. You could also consider changing the color scheme or adding some wallpaper. Let your imagination run free, but don’t go over the top either.
These few tips will allow you to get back on your feet and maybe even improve the way your house looked before the event. Make sure that you follow these instructions if you want to avoid additional trouble and costs.
