The extent of necessary home repairs after a flood can seem overwhelming. Because of the diversity of expertise required for effective flood recovery—not to mention safety factors that pose real hazards to the inexperienced—most home repairs after a flood are not a do-it-yourself project. Professionals in water damage recovery and mold remediation, as well as qualified local contractors for structural issues, form the necessary team to achieve restoration after major flooding. To remove some of the X-factors, here are critical repair issues you can expect after a flood.
Ceilings, walls and floors. Sagging, saturated ceilings should be punctured and drained, then replaced. Wallboard that has been water-soaked typically disintegrates, requiring new material. Affected walls need to be opened up and drained. Wet insulation inside walls usually must be discarded. Vinyl or linoleum flooring installed over wood sub-flooring may need to be taken up in order to dry the floor.
Structural issues. While concrete block usually dries well, the foundation of the house may be affected by flooding. Water is very heavy and a flooded basement often imposes damage on concrete foundation and basement walls. Also, a wet basement generally requires professional drying techniques to fully eliminate residual moisture that will trigger mold contamination.
Electrical matters. Water and electricity don't mix. Electrical system components contacted by water including the main electrical panel, wiring and individual outlets will require, at minimum, inspection by a professional electrician. While modern plastic-covered wiring can withstand exposure to water, many other elements of the electrical system will probably require replacement.
HVAC systems. If your gas furnace was contacted by water, it must be inspected by an HVAC professional before being turned on again. Indoor air conditioning components including the blower in the air handler should also be checked before electricity is restored to the unit. Flooded HVAC ductwork can retain moisture as well as wet mud and silt. Draining and cleaning ducts is necessary to prevent mold growth and deterioration.
