5 Tips to Renovating Home After a Natural Disaster
Severe weather conditions such as a hurricane or heavy rain shouldn't be taken lightly. Not only is it a threat to the property but also to the lives of those who live in it. Most people don't realize the vulnerability of their homes until they see the damage it brings. But the upside is that residents now have a good idea of how to make their home more resilient to storms and hurricanes. Below are some helpful tips in repairing your home after a storm.
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Improve the Basement
If your home has a basement, during a natural disaster, that's one part of the house that'll most likely get affected the most, usually due to flooding. After a natural disaster like heavy rain or a hurricane and you will need to repair your basement, it's a great opportunity to repair it for the better this time around. If it had moisture problems in the past, now might be the best time to use sump pumps, drainage times, or a French drain. Also, pay attention to the outside grading which is just as important as the drainage system inside. Make sure that the grading is sloping away from the house to prevent water from flowing inside.
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Consider Buying a Generator
Generators come in handy during certain scenarios like severe weather conditions. If you live in an area prone to such conditions, it's best that you equip your home with a backup power system such as a generator. There are portable ones that are cheaper and one you can take on during power outages. Moreover, you can go for something like a standby generator that runs on gas and will provide power to the entire house for long periods. Obviously, this will cost much more than a portable one but it will ensure you have adequate power to run all your home appliances.
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Reinforce Both Interior and Exterior Walls
Just because walls are inside doesn't mean you should skimp out on material. Interior walls might not be subjected to outside elements but they are prone to moisture damage especially when flooding occurs. A poorly built interior wall will mean double the cost of repairs. Interior walls should be made of materials that are deodorized so microbes don't proliferate within. For areas of the house prone to water damage, you should use water-resistant materials for the walls. For baseboards avoid using wood trim and instead consider using a polyvinyl chloride-based board.
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Attend to your Yard
The main cause of damage a house receives during a storm is usually due to debris that is blown by strong winds. In most properties with an expansive yard, damage usually comes from fallen branches or the tree itself, especially during major storms. After a severe storm is a perfect time to reach out to a tree specialist who has a team of professional arborists who can assess and provide recommendations on which trees need regular pruning and which ones need to be cut down to prevent future hazards should another severe weather hit again.
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Secure your Roof
If your roof got blown away during a major hurricane, it might be time to consider strengthening it for the next major hurricane. During reparations, make sure you use high-quality shingles that are designed to withstand strong winds and flying debris. Also, make sure that contractors complete the flashing correctly since this is the part of the roof that is most vulnerable to leaks. If strong winds are a problem, you can add hurricane strapping to the roof to stop it from being blown away. Strapping consists of clips and straps tied to the roof and secured by a house-framing system.
The main takeaway is that you have to strengthen all the vulnerable places in your house. Check where the most extensive damage is and start from there. Consider waterproofing the foundation and both interior and exterior walls of the house. Lastly, high-quality materials might be a financial burden but they're a smart investment especially in storm-prone locations.
AUTHOR BIO:
Kerry Brooks is Los Angeles native who loves to write about home improvement tips, travel, outdoor and more. She is currently working with TimberWarriors, a St.Charles, MO based network that helps to connect with the best emergency tree service companies.
