3.08.2012

Disaster Checklists Speed Internal Rebuilding After Floods

By Byron Jonas


A disaster checklist will be helpful when assessing property damage after a natural disaster. Internal rebuilding after floods can be hurried along if homeowners are able to identify damage caused by high winds or flooding. The checklist could include items to inspect such as the roof, foundation, interior walls and all utility services. It can remind homeowners to check for certain hidden damages too.

Multiple inspections are needed to ensure that the home is safe for occupancy. Repairs may be minor in areas that were not on the windward path of the storm. Rebuilding a home to previous standards may be as simple as replacing siding, and gutters, and any windows broken from flying debris. Internal inspections may reveal standing water on the floor that has soaked into flooring, baseboards, and walls.

Flooding disaster checklists could remind homeowners to remove water logged items from the home. Standing water should be reviewed next, and any cosmetic repairs can be assessed at a later time. A significant amount of damage could occur if standing water is allowed to remain on the property. It could cause mold to form that will jeopardize the home and make it not suitable for living in.

A building inspector will certify that a home is safe. That approval is granted after an inspection is completed that covers all wiring, plumbing and the sewage system. After purchasing a building permit, homeowners will be ready to assess damage and plan repairs. Hazardous materials will be identified, and safely removed from the property.

Carpeting and padding should also be removed as soon as possible. A homeowner will have to view all walls in the house to discover the height of flood waters that entered the home. A water line will be depicted on each wall. By removing baseboards, the owner can make a truer damage assessment.

A building contractor will have the right equipment to remove water from the home, and dry interior flooring. Removal efforts of mud, grass and other debris can be tracked on checklists. Any household items lost in the flood can be tallied and will serve as a reminder when filing insurance claims.

Identifying ventilation points on the property will be helpful when workers begin to dry out rooms. A homeowner may forget the location of vents that provide natural ventilation under the home. A checklist could identify vent holes that are attached to plumbing fixtures and those hidden by shrubbery outside the home. Internal rebuilding after floods may require homeowners to drain the property of standing water.




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