Are you wondering what to do with your house after it has suffered severe damage? It happens more often than you might think.
From severe weather to natural disasters, millions of homes are damaged every year.
Fortunately, most of them can be repaired or even rebuilt.
Below, we will cover some of the repair options available to you so you can protect your home, your family, and your livelihood from any future damage.
Read on to learn more. Let’s get started!
Evaluate the Damage
It’s important to take a detailed look at the structure, checking both walls and windows for any underlying damage.
Evaluate any broken pieces to see if there’s a need for insulation.
Also, you have to determine what is salvageable and what needs to be replaced.
Protect What Can Be Saved
In most cases, the walls can not be salvaged. However, the roof, windows, and doors can often be patched up if they have not been damaged.
Anything that can not be saved or that needs repairing should be altered with a mixture of concrete and fiberglass.
This will help to maintain the structural integrity of the house and ensure that it stays safe and secure.
Dispose of Any Hazardous Materials and Rubbish
Before starting the repairs, proper disposal of dangerous materials and debris is essential. To do this, the house must be inspected and documented.
Any furniture must be removed before junk can be safely collected.
Additionally, it is important to double-bag items and seals them to prevent exposure and cross-contamination. All materials must be disposed of through the proper channels.
Adhering to this pre-repair process ensures that the house will be repaired safely and all risky elements will be properly managed.
Do a Thorough Inspection for Mold and Mildew
Mildew and mold can grow quickly in wet and damp environments and can cause health issues.
Before beginning any repair work, be sure to examine all areas for signs of mold, such as a musty smell, dark spots, and discoloration on walls and surfaces.
If present, take the necessary steps to remove them before proceeding with repairs. To do this, use an antimicrobial solution to disinfect surfaces and dry out moisture trapped in materials.
Remove Any Damaged Insulation
Start by inspecting the walls and ceilings for any areas where insulation has been damaged. If insulation is found, it should be removed, bagged, and disposed of properly.
Doing so will reduce the risk of future harm to the insulation.
Also, it will help to keep your home’s temperature at a comfortable level all year round. This is especially important in areas of the home that need consistent climate control, such as around windows, doors, and attic access hatches.
Patch Any Substantial Fractures
First, any considerable fractures in the house’s supports and walls must be carefully and tightly covered.
For example, broken beams should be secured with a 2×4, some lag screws, and a minimum of two nails.
Make sure all your screws are flush, not securing in too far and piercing something vital. Walls should be sanded down using drywall or plaster and a joint compound, vermiculite, or spackle.
After they dry out, you should re-texture, either by rolling on a textured coat or spraying a can of texture material.
Finally, inspect your mending job and assure everything is level and straight, and filled in with the appropriate sealant.
Repair Any Water or Gas Leaks
This includes performing a visual inspection for signs of leaking, such as damp patches, noises, and odors.
If a leak is suspected, contact a professional to identify the source. Additionally, when you are dealing with crawl space or foundation issues, hiring trusted foundation repair specialists is more than fundamental to fix basement repairs for enhanced safety.
Keep in mind to know when you need a solution fast.
Other repairs, such as replacing drywall or floorboards may be necessary depending on the extent of the damage.
Ventilate Damp Environments to Improve Air Circulation
Proper air circulation helps to reduce humidity levels and make sure that the building materials are left unaffected by dampness.
The best way to achieve this is to open up all the windows in the house.
Furthermore, you should regularly ventilate other areas that may be prone to moisture like the attic and the basement.
Additionally, you should keep vents unobstructed so that fresh air is able to pass through easily.
You can use fans and dehumidifiers to make sure that air circulation is as good as possible. For more serious cases, you should consider installing an air-circulating system to provide even more efficient airflow.
Apply Sealants and Waterproofing Materials
Clean up any debris left over from the damage and treat any moisture-laden surfaces with a mildew and fungus inhibitor.
Make sure to seal any holes in the walls or ceiling with an appropriate patch and plaster.
Once they have been removed, the area needs to be properly primed before any sealants and waterproofing material are applied.
The use of quality binder and waterproofing will ensure repairs are complete and will prevent water intrusion in the future.
This material can also be used to help protect the surface from sun and rain. Lastly, complete this process to provide a complete cover on the surface to make the house look seamless again.
Begin Painting and Applying New Finishes
This includes broken boards, shingles, and siding. Old, cracked plaster, insulation, or other building material should also be abolished.
Once completed, the house should be thoroughly evaluated to see which areas require further repair.
Furthermore, any windows and doors should also be checked to see if they are sealed properly and that no additional trim is required.
After all the painting is finished, there may also be a need for additional accessories to bring new life to the house.
Items such as window treatments, crown molding, and flooring may be added according to the look and feel desired.
Overall, patching up a house after it suffered serious damage starts with assessing the destruction and consulting a professional. Taking the prefabricated route can minimize the efforts in repairs.
Lastly, make sure to create the necessary documentation for future references.