09/29/2024
The Next Steps
1. VIDEO! Take pictures and video of every inch of your property, your insurance agent will be incredibly grateful.
2. Please understand that this may be common sense to some, but to others this may be their first time experiencing anything like this. It’s easy to think recovering is impossible, but with help and a little hard work you will get through this.
3. Turn off main breaker at panel if power hasn’t been restored
4. DO NOT just start demoing walls and flooring!
5. St. Petersburg offers trash pickup, however different household items need to be separated at the curb (furniture pile, construction debris pile, appliance pile).
6. Demo furniture and rugs first to minimize the production of mold.
7. BREATH, you’re able to recover from this. When broken down to individual task, it’s able to be accomplished by anyone!
8. Either shop-vac or squeegee all standing water from the house, it doesn’t take as long as you’re probably imagining.
9. If hell bent on removing building materials from your home, start with baseboard, casing, doors, and any remaining trim.
10. Insurance is hell, figuring out what a will be paid for is between you and the adjuster. Depending on the type of flooring, you could possibly have a battle on your hands.
11. Flooring can be removed after trim.
-Floating LVP and LVT will need to be replaced, even if advertised as “waterproof” being submerged will swell the locking seam and eventually the plank.
-Carpet is an obvious one, will need the tack strip removed unless you have significant remediation preformed.
-Glued-down wood flooring will also need to be replaced, many are installed over a cork underlayment and are very prone to mold growth.
-Tile is the only flooring that you MAY be able to keep. Depending on the quality of install, you may or may not have standing water between the thin set under the tile.
12. Prior to removing drywall, please have either an experienced handyman or licensed contractor remove the cover plates and receptacles (if the flood was saltwater, they have to be replaced). Romex (wiring) is not insulated for damp/wet locations and will deteriorate over time, replacing the affected wiring is a must.
13. Insurance is picky with how much drywall you can remove before they won’t pay, we’ve found a safe height is 6” above your flood line. This is not an insurance rule, but what we have found is almost always acceptable to them. You will need coordination from your provider to know exactly how much you can remove.
14. Any insulation in the walls will need to be removed.
15. Fans and dehumidifiers; While not super common household items, they can help with circulation and moisture removal.
16. Once you’re down to studs and flooring/concrete, you can begin to rebuild. Working with a contractor can take the rebuilding process from a headache, to a weight lifted off your shoulders (results may vary depending on contractor…)
17. If you’re only in need of a subcontractor (flooring, drywall, trim, painting), please feel free to reach out and I can send over recommendations.
Items that will come in handy:
Gloves
Hammer
Pliers
Flat Pry Bar
Tape Measure
Contractor Trash Bags
Large Buckets/Trash Cans
Squeegee w/ Handle
Razor Knife
Screw Drivers/Drill w/ bit set
Fans/Dehumidifier
Extension Cords
Shopvac
