Flooding is caused by the slightest of breaches that allow water to penetrate the walls and structures of your home. And the damage is one of the most destructive forces that can dismantle the structural and cosmetic foundations. You don’t necessarily need to live in a flood-prone area to deal with such a catastrophe.
Ice melting away on mountaintops, heavy rains and snowstorms, and overflowing rivers are common flooding causes. Regardless of the reason, massive volumes of water can wreak havoc on your property’s foundations, walls, and structures. Most homeowners are faced with the financially burdensome choice of remodeling to eliminate flood damage and structural defects.
Keep reading to explore crucial factors before planning a post-flood home remodel.
Table of Contents
Setting a Fair Budget
Budgeting is undoubtedly the most challenging aspect of planning a remodel you weren’t anticipating or working towards as a family. Usually, homeowners plan renovations and remodel by setting aside an amount, saving, and taking home improvement loans. But floods and water damage are unforeseen catastrophes that take homeowners off guard and financially unprepared.
Setting priorities and creating a game plan is highly challenging while dealing with the stress and discomfort of property damage. Homeowners must prioritize research and look into insurance and loan products to ease their financial burdens. But you cannot move forward without creating a budget to fund the remodel without running into hardships. It’s wise to sit down with a contractor or water damage specialist to examine the extent of the damages and recovery solutions.
It’s crucial to explore every aspect of the remodel and structural upgrades and compare costs from various service providers. Consulting a water damage advisor is strongly advisable to assess costs and solutions and create a fair budget.
An experienced water damage specialist will make practical recommendations to fortify the structure against water damages. The advisor will help you create a realistic budget to avoid financial hardships and shortages while the remodel is underway. There’s nothing worse than running short of funds while remodeling is underway and your home is unlivable. So, work closely with a specialist and set a comprehensive budget to fortify all structural components.
Conducting a Detailed Inspection
You cannot initiate a remodel without conducting a detailed inspection to identify all affected areas and home components. It doesn’t take long for water to seep through the walls, ceilings, and flooring, setting the stage for mold and mildew. The signs aren’t always visible, and unseen moisture aggravates damages and destroys multiple home components.
It’s wise to hire professionals to undertake a detailed inspection using modern technology to identify all apparent and concealed signs of moisture. This step is crucial to preventing health hazards, mold growth and rot, and identifying all components that need remodeling.
Consider Flooring Replacement
Flooding and water damages are particularly disastrous for flooring, as moisture quickly seeps into the carpets and floors. Basement and attic are the most vulnerable spaces, and it’s wise to consider floor replacement to prevent aggravated damages. Most homeowners explore solutions to save money by cleaning and drying the floors. This strategy may not work for the attic and basement floors.
We advise considering a flooring replacement with sturdy materials that can withstand moisture exposure and water damages. It’s crucial to avoid wasting time for water can ruin the sturdiest and most robust tiles with prolonged delays and exposure. Suppose the water is allowed to penetrate and seep into the flooring and crawl spaces for days or weeks. In that case, your floors will become a thriving habitation for germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Consider investing in treated cement, stone and concrete, vinyl tiles, porcelain, ceramics, and laminate wood for sturdier flooring.
Prioritize Structural Enhancements
Suppose you’re working with a tight budget with little room for ornamentation and cosmetic upgrades. In that case, it’s wise to prioritize structural enhancements, such as flooring, interior and exterior walls, and roofing repairs. Your goal is to make your house livable, so your family can move back, and you can work on DIY improvements.
It’s natural for homeowners to feel tempted to make design enhancements, install new lighting fixtures and repaint the interiors. Remind yourself that cosmetic enhancements can wait until the structure and foundation are well-fortified and fully functional. Structural fortifications will make your property safe, stable, and livable.
For instance, drywall doesn’t enhance the cosmetic appeal, but dismantling and replacing it is crucial to curbing water damage. Be sure to open up the walls to dry out all the cavities and halt moisture spread.
Most experts recommend removing the drywall and insulation layers to eliminate all signs of moisture and mold growth. However, if you have a comfortable budget, go ahead and use this remodel as an opportunity to transform the kitchen floor plan.
Final Thoughts
Watching your house destroyed by flooding is an emotionally and physically challenging situation that breeds chaos. It’s hard to think when you’re in between by chaos, your home isn’t livable, and your family is stranded. But you need to think pragmatically and work closely with a water damage specialist to prevent this catastrophe from reoccurring.