DIY Home Repair Tips

how to renovate your home after a natural disaster

Disaster can arrive at your doorstep in many ways. A storm like Hurricane Irma unleashing its fury on properties, an old tree in your backyard falling on your roof or faulty wiring that could spark a fire in your home. Disasters like this can be unpredictable, but when they happen, homeowners have to deal with extensive damages.

When your home is damaged due to a natural disaster, you have to deal with the next crucial phase of renovation. You must choose a licensed home re-construction contractor to help you rebuild your home after a disaster. When it comes to renovating a damaged home, there are a few things you should do.  

   1. Repair Your Basement

Basements are some of the most affected areas after natural disasters. Depending on the type of damage you’re dealing with, from water damage due to flooding or damaged walls due to an earthquake, a basement reconstruction expert should be able to suggest the best way to reconstruct your basement.  

Flood damage in basements is the biggest concern for homeowners. According to FERMA Flooring, any affected materials like flooring, drywall and insulation will have to be ripped out. Have your basement floors, walls and installations like sump pumps and internal guttering systems repaired and replaced with better and more reliable solutions.

   2. Buy a Home Standby Generator

It’s pretty common to see entire neighbourhoods and even cities with no power after a natural disaster. Having a standby generator can be a blessing in case your home has no power. Generators can be expensive but can play a critical role in helping you avoid potential problems like house flooding.

For instance, most basements take on water after storms, not because of flooding but because the power outage led to sump pump failure. Installing a generator in your home, especially if you’re in areas frequently hit by natural disasters that cause power outage is recommended.  

   3. Replace Damaged and Poor Flooring

Disasters involving water can cause extensive damage to floors, especially if the water sits there for long. The damage on floors may also depend on the type of floor you have. You’ll want to consider installing flooring that can better withstand moisture. If you live in moisture-prone areas, you should avoid flooring options like hardwood, laminate and carpet.

   4. Strengthen & Paint the Interior Walls

If your home sustained water damage, you should be aware that floodwater can carry debris that damages walls as well as contaminants. You will have to remove the affected or damaged walls, down to the framing and even consider deodorizing affected spaces. For areas and basements that are prone to future water damage, it’s best to invest in water-resistant materials. For instance, you can replace your drywall with cement boards. The key here is to strengthen your interior walls as much as possible so they can withstand damage. Then paint the interior walls with waterproof paint.

   5. Install Better Windows and Check your Walls

After a storm, your windows and exterior walls are likely to have sustained some level of damage. From falling tree limbs to flying debris, strong storm winds to heavy rain, you could be looking at different aspects of damage. The most important thing after a disaster is to ensure that broken windows are replaced, taped and sealed correctly. For disaster-prone areas, consider installing hurricane-rated or wind-rated windows and doors that can withstand extreme conditions.

Foundation cracks can be dangerous for any homeowner. If you notice a crack in the wall, you will need to contact a professional for inspection as soon as possible. While the cause of some foundation cracks is the normal ageing process in the home, other more severe foundation cracks may result from foundation movement or settlement. Check your exterior walls for any damage and go for stronger siding that will not come off easily during a storm.

   6. Repair your Roof

Your roof is most likely to take most of the damage during a natural disaster. Replace roof shingles and consider redoing your roofing if extensive damage has been done. Ensure you use a qualified roofing contractor to recommend the best roofing materials for your area and also do repairs, installations or replacement. Flashing should also be done correctly. Installing hurricane straps to hold your roof in place is also recommended, especially when you consider that a blown off roof leads to further damages after the whole house is exposed.

   7. Ensure Everything is Done Right

Damage in a home can be widespread after a natural disaster, so make sure to check everywhere around the house if it’s safe to do so. For instance, your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems will need to be inspected for damage, repaired and probably replaced if the damage is extensive. Make sure to leave this to the professionals, like local HVAC Contractors, instead of trying to DIY it yourself.   

The key to a successful home renovation after a disaster is making sure that everything is done right to avoid finding yourself in the same situation when disaster strikes again.

Thank you so much for your time. Stay safe!

Klaudia xx

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