Everything I Did to Flood-Proof My Old House | Reviews by Wirecutter

Experiencing a home flood can be a devastating event, leaving homeowners with significant damage and a complex recovery process. The initial steps after a flood involve ensuring safety and then systematically documenting the damage for insurance claims. Homeowners should immediately contact FEMA and their insurance agent to initiate the claims process. It is crucial to meticulously document all damage through videos and photos, capturing close-ups of damaged items before removal. For larger items like carpet or flooring, a sample should be cut and saved for the adjuster. Keeping detailed records of all communications with the insurance company, including dates, times, and discussion points, is also vital. When meeting with the insurance adjuster, homeowners should verify their identification and be prepared with their policy number and records of damaged belongings. Requesting an advance or partial payment if necessary is an option. All communication with the adjuster should ideally be in writing, such as email, to maintain a clear record. No repairs should commence without written approval from the adjuster. For large claims, hiring a public adjuster who works independently on the homeowner's behalf can be considered, though potential fees should be scrutinized. The adjuster will assess direct flood damage, provide a flood certification number, and offer a suggested Proof of Loss, but they do not approve or deny claims. The Proof of Loss statement should be reviewed carefully for accuracy and submitted within 60 days, or a shorter period if specified by private insurance. Homeowners can file for additional payments if repair costs exceed initial estimates and can add new damages to their claim if discovered later. It is important not to accept an initial estimate if it does not fully cover the loss. During this period, homeowners should be wary of robocalls from scammers claiming insurance lapses and contractors offering suspiciously low bids or demanding large upfront payments. Relying on reputable, licensed, and bonded contractors is essential. Re-entry into a flooded home requires extreme caution. Local authorities' advice should be followed. Entry is prohibited if damaged power or gas lines are visible, or if the house structure appears compromised. Ceilings and floors should be checked for instability before entering rooms. Any smell of natural gas or propane necessitates immediate evacuation and a call to the fire department. Power should not be turned on or off while standing in water, and flooded basements should only be entered after a qualified technician has removed the electrical meter. All floodwater should be assumed contaminated, and protective gear like waders, rubber boots, and gloves should be worn to avoid contact with debris, chemicals, and animals. Hand hygiene with soap and clean water is crucial, and mold-contaminated areas require additional protective equipment like goggles and respirators. Cleanup efforts must be conducted safely. Ventilate the area by opening all doors, windows, cabinets, and drawers, especially if the house was closed for more than 48 hours. Do not connect generators or other electrical systems unless deemed safe by an electrician. Immediate, safe actions to prevent further water ingress, such as laying a tarp, should be taken after photographing the damage. Extensive repairs should ideally wait until the adjuster's assessment. Water in basements should be removed gradually, about one-third per day, to prevent structural damage. Standing water elsewhere should be removed quickly, and fans and dehumidifiers used if electricity is safe. All unsealed or flood-exposed food must be discarded. Drywall, insulation (except closed-cell foam), carpets, and padding that came into contact with floodwater should be removed, and samples saved for the adjuster. Upholstered furniture and window coverings may need to be discarded unless professional restoration is possible. Items that cannot be adequately sanitized should be permanently discarded. Mold cleanup should follow EPA guidelines, and all surfaces should be scrubbed and disinfected without mixing cleaning products. Appliances need professional inspection before salvage, and submerged outlets or switches must be replaced by a licensed electrician. Rebuilding offers an opportunity to implement floodproofing measures. Homeowners should select contractors carefully, checking reviews, experience, and asking for multiple estimates. Recommendations from insurance agents or adjusters can be valuable. It is important to avoid settling for shoddy workmanship. All receipts for temporary repairs should be kept for reimbursement. Floodproofing strategies include building new homes or elevating existing ones at least two feet above required zoning, adding flood openings to crawl spaces, basements, or garages, using flood damage-resistant materials like closed-cell foam insulation, and selecting nonporous flooring with water-resistant sealants. Elevating appliances like AC units and water heaters can also prevent future damage. Financial assistance and tax relief may be available through FEMA programs and the IRS for those in presidentially declared disaster areas. Additionally, reviewing flood insurance coverage with a trusted agent is highly recommended to ensure adequate protection against future events. The article emphasizes community support and preparedness as critical elements in recovery and resilience. #FloodRecovery #HomeInsuranceClaim #DisasterPreparedness #FloodDamage #HomeSafety #PostFloodCleanup #HomeRebuilding #InsuranceTips #FEMAAssistance

Hurricane season typically brings heightened concerns for homeowners in susceptible regions, particularly in areas like New Orleans, where the months of August and September historically see a surge in hurricane activity. Proactive measures are crucial for protecting homes against the potential damage caused by high winds and heavy rainfall. The LSU AgCenter's LaHouse Resource Center in Baton Rouge, directed by Claudette Reichel, offers practical and cost-effective DIY strategies for homeowners to enhance their home's resilience. One primary area of focus is securing the roof, which is often the first line of defense against hurricane-force winds. High winds can lift the bottom row of shingles, leading to a cascading failure of the entire roof. For roofs not rated for high winds (e.g., Class G or H), applying roofing cement to the bottom row of shingles can significantly improve their adhesion. Each shingle should receive three 1-inch dots of cement: one in the center and one on each side, a few inches from the edge. A single 11-ounce tube of roofing cement, costing approximately $9, can secure about 25 feet of shingles. This process requires about two weeks for proper adherence, emphasizing the need for early preparation. Additionally, checking for and re-adhering any loose shingles is a vital pre-storm task. For more extensive roof upgrades, such as during a roof replacement, several options are available. Adding galvanized ring-shank nails to the roof decking provides superior holding power compared to smooth nails. Installing hurricane straps connects rafters to walls, significantly increasing stability. If the decking remains, applying AGF-01-rated subflooring adhesive along the interface between rafters and sheathing can strengthen the structure. Replacing traditional felt underlay with synthetic, wind-resistant materials and overlapping them by 4 to 6 inches with bitumen tape-sealed seams further enhances protection. Opting for new shingles with higher wind resistance, such as Class G (up to 120 mph) or Class H (up to 150 mph), is also a worthwhile investment. Another critical component to reinforce is the soffits, which protect the home's rafters and help prevent moisture intrusion that can lead to mold and material degradation. Many soffits are designed to sit within J channels where they meet the siding. Strengthening these can be achieved with a 10-ounce tube of polyurethane sealant, priced around $8, and stainless steel screws. The objective is to unify the soffit components, preventing a single weak point from causing widespread failure. A bead of sealant should be applied along the joint between the soffit channel edge and the wall. Sharp-pointed stainless steel screws should then be inserted through the fascia and channels to connect the soffit material securely. Sealant should also be applied in the grooves where the soffits abut the fascia and wall channel. Finally, the trim piece against the house should be caulked at its base where it meets the wall. For long-term durability, some advanced homes, like the LaHouse, utilize built-in vented soffits constructed from the same robust cement board as the rest of the house. Sealing exterior holes is a straightforward yet effective measure to prevent water intrusion. A 10-ounce container of silicone caulk, typically costing around $6, can be used to seal all penetrations where wires, cables, and pipes enter or exit the house. This includes openings for cable TV and phone lines, electrical boxes, AC refrigerant and condensate lines, water heater and water pipes, wall outlets, and various vents (dryer, bathroom, kitchen), as well as electrical devices such as wall lights. Beyond structural enhancements, managing surrounding materials in the yard is essential. Replacing gravel in landscaping with soft mulch (approximately $3-$4 for 2 cubic feet) can prevent gravel from becoming dangerous projectiles that can damage vinyl siding and break windows during strong storms. Encouraging neighbors to adopt similar practices can create a safer community environment. Other critical actions include trimming trees to remove potential hazards and removing dying trees entirely. All loose items in the yard should be secured or stored away before a storm. For more substantial protection, installing storm shutters is highly recommended. The LaHouse showcases strong, lightweight polycarbonate shutters that can be quickly deployed using wing nuts on a pre-mounted pop-open track system. These shutters, while more expensive than plywood, offer superior ease of use and protection against flying debris and pressurization, with their wavy surface contributing to wind resistance. During non-hurricane periods, the track cover closes, making the panels appear like part of the home's trim. These strategies, ranging from simple DIY tasks to larger renovation projects, collectively contribute to making a home more resilient against hurricane impacts. Regular year-round preparation, rather than last-minute efforts, ensures that homes are adequately protected when severe weather strikes. #HurricanePreparedness #HomeMaintenance #StormProofing #RoofProtection #SoffitReinforcement #ExteriorSealing #DIYHomeImprovement #DisasterResilience #LouisianaHomes