How to Begin Renovating After Flood Damage

New Orleans is a beautiful city, full of talented musicians, unique artists, good food and historic architecture. NOLA’s culture and hospitality influence real estate purchases, increasing the annual number of new residents. Before people invest in properties within the city, they must consider the environmental challenges of owning a home.

Hurricane Ida hit NOLA in August, leaving properties flooded and without power for months. While some residents quickly cleaned up their homes, others are still conducting post-hurricane renovations. You can make the most of your new home purchase by assessing flood renovation techniques.

The Severity of Flood Damage

Before exploring the ways to renovate a property after flooding, you should evaluate the different severity levels of water damage. If you are new to the South, you may benefit from examining the various flood categories. There are three different levels of flooding impacting the security of real estate and individuals.

Before storms make landfall, weather professionals will release flood predictions ranging from minor to major occurrences. Minor flooding signifies low water levels and minimal property damage. Moderate incidents indicate some impacts on homes and other structures from higher water levels. Residents with properties near streams and other water sources may need to evacuate during moderate periods. Major-level flooding causes significant property damage and requires the evaluation of all community members.

The differing flood levels have varying effects on NOLA real estate.

About 6 inches of water can flood a home’s yard, damage its drywall and ruin its wood floors and carpets. Over 6 inches of submergence can reach a car’s exhaust pipe, causing significant damage. Water can also destroy insulated appliances inside a house, like a refrigerator or an oven.

When regions experience over a foot of flooding inside properties, the water may corrode heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems and furnaces. It can additionally cause electrical damage and submerge vehicles. Flooding reaching over 2 feet of water can cause irreversible property destruction.

After a home experiences water damage, you can begin renovating depending on the level of impact. Individuals can generally salvage their properties after minor and moderate flooding with the help of construction professionals.

Pre-Renovation Considerations

After a flood, you should assess your finances and set a realistic renovation budget. You may also reach out to your insurance agent to determine the amount of coverage you will receive. Most insurance policies will cover building and content damage.

The building coverage helps pay for renovations, funding furnace, electrical, wall and appliance replacements. Content coverage helps homeowners replace damaged furniture, art, clothes and other personal items. After determining the budget of your post-flood renovations, you can begin repairing your home.

Restoring a Basement

Basements are typically the first areas to flood in a home. While many architects stopped building New Orleans properties with basements, some historic buildings still have underground levels.

Homeowners can repair their properties after a storm by first removing all excess water. After drying the room, construction professionals can assess the level of damage, locating moldy materials and other elements needing removal. Sheetrock is one element susceptible to flood damage. The material acts like a sponge, collecting and holding excess water for extended periods.

Professionals can remove and replace damaged sheetrock to prevent mold growth and material degradation over time. They may also restore wood floors or carpets in basements, increasing the home’s security.

Restoring a Kitchen

If water enters the ground level, it may flood a kitchen and cause renovation-requiring damage. You can begin repairing a kitchen after a storm by first turning off the electricity and gas supply. Then, remove all appliances, furniture, food and personal items from the space.

Construction professionals can help you salvage some materials by replacing damaged elements immediately. Many kitchen cabinets derive from pressed wood pulp and hold excess water. The material can deteriorate when wet, falling and damaging countertops.

Builders can preserve countertops, the most challenging element to replace, by removing cabinets before they fall. Professionals may also remove pressed wood pulp items from bedrooms after floods, increasing the efficiency of a renovation.

Restoring Bedrooms

Removing the carpet is the first step in restoring bedrooms after floods. Use towels and a dehumidifier to get rid of excess water. You should also assess mattresses and other furniture for mold before deciding to keep them.

Mold can cause significant health effects, like respiratory illnesses and rashes. Depending on the level of flooding, you may also need to replace the sheetrock.

Building Back Smarter to Prevent Future Flooding

You may increase the security and longevity of your property by filling exposed cracks and previously damaged building materials. You can also cover window wells, preventing excess stormwater from entering your home. In some areas, construction professionals may need to raise a house, decreasing its risk of water damage in a flood zone.

Make Your Home in NOLA

While New Orleans is known for it’s hurricane season, environmental professionals and architects have increased the flood resistance of NOLA by restructuring the levees which prevents mass damage from future storms.

Proven during Hurricane Ida, the city experienced significantly less flood damage, protecting residential

real estate. Investing in a New Orleans home is financially beneficial, and offers you a slice of the rich history this unique city emcompasses.

*Written By Rose Morrison