Home Improvement Advice for Disaster Recovery

Getting Things Back To Normal Do it Yourself Tips for Disaster Recovery

On your return you will find a layer of fine silt over the floor and everywhere the water has been. It is probably best to try to remove this whilst it is still wet. So roll up the carpet with the mud inside. Mud on the walls can stay there. You can remove it with the wallpaper before you redecorate. The property will have to dry out before any remedial works can commence. To help speed the process of drying in the beginning, it may be an idea to hire or purchase a dehumidifier, but don't try to rush the process too much.

Call your insurance company - tell them what has happened. Take photographs if possible, ask them about cleaning up, it would not be fair to make you wait some time for an assessor to see the damage, so ask them how you should go about things after all, you are going to want to clear the contaminated items quickly, so, ask them if it's o.k to do this or do they need to see the damage before you clear up? Make sure you get confirmation of whatever you are told over the phone - get a name and ask them to fax confirmation over to the nearest possible fax machine so that you have something in writing.

If you are not happy with what your insurance company tells you - remember you do have the state insurance ombudsman to contact who will advise you of any options you may have.

Try to do as much as possible in the daylight, doing things in the dark will only increase the risk of injury.

Get your power supplies tested by an electrician; if your gas fire was inundated, have it serviced before you try to light it.

In times like these unscrupulous people may try to take advantage so the rules for engaging contractors to repair any damage are the same as ever, be careful.

Even though you will not know where to start, prioritize your work. As said before, remove carpets etc. that are contaminated. Arrange for the council to remove destroyed furniture etc. so that you have reasonably clear rooms to work on. Check that your air bricks (normally situated on the front and the back of the house at ground level) are clear and letting the air flow underneath to encourage drying out.

Then start at the top and work your way down stairs, washing each room down with a detergent and then disinfectant.

Important paperwork, treasured photographs and similar items, should have as much silt and mud removed as can be done gently, then stored flat and without interference to dry completely. Most photographs can be either air dried or frozen, then thawed and air dried. Photographs can be restored, treasured ones are well worth a trip to the photographers to see if anything can be done - you may be pleasantly surprised. If important papers such as deeds etc. have been destroyed you should be able to obtain copies with proof of who you are, keep the damaged papers as proof in case you need to present them.