The flood waters have receded and the basic mop up is complete but yet your work has just begun. If you’re on your own for repairs and must take it one weekend at a time, here’s a basic plan to get you through the process.
First, is the home livable? If the water damage is localized or limited to a single room, your family can remain at home while you perform the repairs. If the water damage is widespread, you’ll need to find alternative arrangements.
Next, talk to your city’s planning department to find out if any permits are required and learn about the necessary building codes that you must follow.
Contact an electrician as you will possibly need electrical repairs.
Weekend #1
Gut it. You’ve already mopped up the area, right? Now that it’s dry, it’s time to peel away the damaged goods. Depending on the damage, this could involve removing wallpaper, drywall, baseboards, carpet, linoleum, etc. Before you can replace any of these items, you’ve got to do the prep work and clear out the space.
Weekend #2
Repair it. This includes both plumbing and electrical repairs. For example, if a pipe burst in the walls, you will have removed the drywall last weekend. Now, you have access to the damaged pipe. You’ve likely already performed emergency repairs to stop the water from flowing such as capping the line or turning off the water. Now’s your chance to replace the broken pipe.
The water most likely damaged your electrical outlets and lighting fixtures. Have a qualified electrician come in to evaluate and repair the electrical.
Weekend #3
Rebuild it. Once the plumbing and electrical have been repaired, you can begin rebuilding the space. Start at the top and work your way down, saving the floor for your last step. Seal windows, install drywall, and possibly install items that need replaced such as vanities. You may wish to install certain items after painting the room to make it easier to paint. Don’t install the baseboards just yet.
Prime and paint the room starting with the ceiling and finishing with the walls. By painting before re-tiling or re-carpeting the floor, you won’t have to worry about drips on the floor. Paint the baseboards separately and allow to dry completely. You’ll install them next weekend.
Weekend #4
Finish it. Now that the walls are back up and painted, it’s time to finish the job. This includes a second coat of paint if needed, wallpaper if desired, the installation of damaged items you may have postponed until after painting, laying the flooring, and installing the baseboards.
While this plan is a basic plan, it is adaptable. All water damage jobs, big and small, have the same basic elements: dry it out, gut it, repair it, rebuild it, and finish it. Whether you’re a weekend water damage dad or choose to hire someone to do it for you, these steps all come into play.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Mark Decherd
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