Natural disasters are something homeowners never anticipate, and this is especially true when you live in an area that is not usually at risk of adverse weather conditions, such as West Hartford, CT. Those conditions such as storms, hurricanes, or heavy rainfall can result in flood damage. Not only can this turn your lives upside-down, but it might mean your home has been left as somewhere that is unsafe to live in for the time being. Though it is hard to feel as though this isn’t the end of the world, there is much which you can do to repair and renovate your home after flood damage so that it is both safe and welcoming to live in again.
Check your electrics
There are many parts to a home that flooding can damage, but one of the most dangerous is the damage to your electrics. You can best check them by having an expert come around to see if there are any exposed wires or damaged fuses, which will minimize the risk to everyone in your home. In the meantime, you should find some family or friends to stay with so that you aren’t putting yourself in unnecessary danger. Once your electrics have been checked over, you can set about following precautions to ensure water damage doesn’t happen again.
Fix any major damage
When it is safe to enter your house after your electrics have been checked, it is likely you will encounter some major damage to the structure of your home. It could be damp patches within the walls, or any broken windows and tiles. Before you can think about undertaking proper renovations, these are issues which you need to resolve. Usually, it takes an expert to remove water damage from your home. However, fixing windows and roof damage is something that can be done with more ease. It could be that you need to move out of your home when this is happening. During which time you can start to plan how your new home will look after repairs have taken place.
Consider cosmetic damage
It can be easy to be blinded by how bad cosmetic damage may be. This can sometimes be covering up some underlying major damage. However, that doesn’t make it easier. It means you will have to replace a lot of your furnishings.
One item that suffers the most is your books. These can either be childhood favorites or important photo albums. These items can be one of the hardest hits to take when you are accounting for damage. Although there will be some items that aren’t salvageable, most of your water damaged books can be repaired without the need for an expert. Learning how to fix water damaged books can take some time, but it is more than worth it if it results in you getting your books back to their former glory. For any future flood risks, it might be worth putting all your books in places where floods can’t reach. For example; on higher shelves, or even on the top floor of your home.
Start fresh
Even though lots of people want to restore their home to what it once was, others prefer to start afresh and move away. But you can build a new look to help you get over the damage the flood has caused. When your home has been cleared of risk, and any damage has been repaired, you should ask an interior decorator to help you decide how to use your space. Ideally, you should start with a neutral color palette, which will make it easier for you to fill your space with homely trinkets and soft furnishings. Sometimes, having a fresh lick of paint enables you to put the past behind you, while focusing on building a new one.
Go second-hand
Severe flooding can leave you out of pocket. Lots of furniture can sometimes be so damaged you must throw it away. It means that any hopes of designing the new home you want can be prohibited by a lack of funds. In times like this, this is where second-hand stores are the best option. The myth that such stores are full of old furniture is untrue. You can find many newer pieces and vintage designs in these stores. This can help to give your home a more lived-in, comfortable feel. After setting yourself a budget, you may be surprised at how much great stuff you can find for your money.
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