Important Suggestions For Beginning The Storm Restoration Process

If your home was in the path of a major storm and sustained damage, then there are many things you will be required to do before you can start the rebuilding process. While you can count on many months of negotiations, decisions, and issues with contractors, it's important you follow each of these important suggestions as soon as you can after the stormwater recedes:

Safely Get Things Dried Out and Water-Damaged Items Removed ASAP

Though many aspects of getting your home put back together will seem to drag on seemingly forever, this can't be the case when it comes to water and moisture removal. 

The first thing you need to do once the storm has passed is to take extensive photos of the damage and then get your home's interior completely dried out. If you don't do this immediately, then mold will start to grow.

Mold is:

• hard to kill
• expensive to treat
• smelly

Additionally, mold spores will cause illness for your family members and pets when inhaled. 

The best way to deal with all of the moisture inside your home is to take each of these steps as soon as you can:

• Call in a professional storm damage service company to set up their industrial-size fans and humidifiers
• Remove all carpeting and underlying pads
• Take all soaked furniture outdoors
• Cut out any sheetrock that got wet
• Open up all of your home's windows and doors
• Turn on your HVAC system's fan

In addition, you should purchase a bottle of antimicrobial cleaner at your local hardware store and use it on all wood studs, floors, and any other solid surfaces that got wet. 

File an Insurance Claim and Enlist the Help of an Insurance Adjuster

Since local insurance adjusters are very busy after large storms, you should open a claim with your homeowner's insurance company as soon as you know your home has sustained damage. Until the adjuster has time to visit and take photos, your insurance company won't start releasing any funds to you, so you want to be one of the first people in line.

Be Wary of Home Improvement Project Creep

In conclusion, it is important to note that there is a phenomenon that comes with repairs and restorations known as project creep. While you may decide to upgrade your damaged floors, you need to be careful to avoid upgrading everything in the room.

Sure the light fixture now looks old next to the new sheetrock and paint, but do you really need the added cost of replacing it right now? After your home is damaged by a storm, try to keep the repairs to what is necessary rather than going down the rabbit hole of upgrading everything.

For more information, get in touch with a storm restoration company.

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