If your home has fallen victim to a natural disaster, then you are not alone. Thousands of properties each year are damaged due to flooding, fires, storms, ice, tornadoes, and more. Sometimes the situation can seem hopeless; in many cases, not only is the home itself damaged, but so are several personal possessions and mementos that held a lot of meaning as well. Nevertheless, it is possible to rebuild.
The Immediate Aftermath
Right after the disaster takes place, the first thing to do is make sure that everyone is safe and sound. If the natural disaster was such that you were forced to leave your home, your return should be done safely as well. Before you reenter the building, look around for any damage to the structures of the home or to the foundation itself. Warping, cracks, and holes are all huge signifiers that something is not as stable as it should be.
Additionally, this is also a time to make sure you have proper documentation of everything you can see. Make sure you have photos and videos when applicable. You should also contact your insurance company immediately to find out what your options are. Next, secure the property against further damage. Broken windows should be boarded up, and if the roof has been damaged then it should be covered with a tarp.The Rebuilding Process
After a disaster like severe weathe, including hail, lighting, fires or high winds, there will be specific areas that need to be restored. Parts of the house that may need repair include the siding, gutters, roofing, windows, and even some of the inner workings of the home such as plumbing and electrical. Floors could also pose a problem if there has been flooding.
As the condition of the home continues to improve with repairs, make sure that you document every step of the process. Some repairs are fairly simple, such as re-roofing projects, while some are a little more complex. After water damage, for instance, mold can be a problem, since it causes slow and silent heavy damage. The most insidious thing about this kind of damage is that it often takes place in areas of the home that are least seen, such as behind furniture or within the walls. This makes it even more important to check the home for mold after storms or other natural disasters that involve water.
Other aspects of the home that may need to be repaired include broken windows, which should be replaced. In severe cases, sometimes the home will have to be demolished and rebuilt from the ground up. However, no matter how bleak the situation looks, if a natural disaster has occurred, then you are not out of luck. Contact a local restoration company for more information and assistance.
