We tend to think of water damage in the home as something that only occurs very rarely. But it affects a surprising number of homeowners for a variety of reasons. For instance your children could leave your bathroom faucets running before you go on vacation, leading to substantial flooding. Or you could get a lot of rain which raises the water table and causes water to begin entering your home from the basement and floorboards. Fortunately, you can often repair the damage quite easily and renovate at the same time. If you got the right mortgage insurance quote that included flood cover then you’re in the clear, as you won’t even need to contribute financially toward the repairs that bring your home back to life. However, you’ll still be able to clean up and get back on your feet even without insurance, so here are some tips on essential renovations after water damage.
REPLACE ROTTING TIMBERS
When wood becomes exposed to water, it naturally starts to rot. That’s because it is a natural product and, therefore, returns to the earth as insects, fungi and bacteria break it down making this part of your essential renovations after water damage. However, as cdanielsfoundations.com.au points out, you can easily replace rotting floorboards after they’ve been exposed to water. Simply hire contractors to take up the floorboards, resolve any lingering damp problem, and then put new ones down that will restore the appeal of your home.
REINFORCE YOUR WALLS
Water can, unfortunately, also quite significantly damage your walls. If it gets into the drywall or wood stud, it can cause rot and mould to develop – not what you want. Preventing walls from coming into contact from water ever again can be a challenge. But there are ways to protect them. For instance, installing flood-proof wall materials can help. These won’t protect all your fixtures, flooring and fittings. But they will prevent water from penetrating into the wall materials and forcing you to make expensive repairs. Investing in pressure-treated, marine-grade plywood cladding is a great idea for attractively protecting your walls. But you can also get cheaper plastic film solutions that work just as well.
ADJUST YOUR HOME’S FOUNDATION POSITION
Storms and heavy rain can cause problems with your foundations over time. When water penetrates masonry, it weakens it, potentially causing your home to shift on its foundations to a new location, causing cracks. If you notice a musty smell in your basement, that’s a sure sign that you have water in your walls. The best way to fix foundation problems is to hire a specialist, especially if you notice deep cracks. Professionals look for structural issues that could put your house at risk and also take steps to sanitize the space. Added to this, they will also repair any damaged materials and look for ways to make your home more storm-resistant. You may be able to claim back money for this work on your insurance, according to www.moneyexpert.com.
IMPROVE WATER DRAINAGE
Incidentally, one of those methods is to improve your water drainage. Ideally, you should have a grated gully that runs around the exterior of your property, collecting water and channeling it to a storm drain. Gullies are helpful because they prevent water from pooling near the masonry at the foot of your home and prevent it from coming in through the walls. Be sure that leaves and other debris are not blocking it so that water has a clear channel through which to flow.
REPLACE SOFT FURNISHINGS
It’s more than likely that some or all of your soft furnishings will have been destroyed during the water damage, so it’s important that you can start to replace these items to make your house once again feel like home. You might not be able to source the exact same furnishings that you previously had inside your home, so it’s a great opportunity to totally renovate and redesign the affected areas. If you were a victim of an extreme weather event such as a storm, flood or hurricane, you might be able to get assistance with payment for the replacement of soft furnishings. Many charities and kind donors will be more than willing to assist you in rebuilding your family home, so don’t be afraid to reach out and investigate these channels.
Renovating after water damage, therefore, is about both prevention and cure. Try these essential renovations after water damage strategies to properly protect your property and ensure that you make an effort to establish a comfortable, warm and inviting home that doesn’t bare any signs of previous damage.
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This has been a collaborative post. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are not my own
