Post-Restoration Maintenance: Tips for Homeowners to Maintain Their Property After Restoration Work is Completed
Homeowners want their property restoration to last after flood, fire or other damage. No one wants to continuously pay for preventable problems. It’s important for homeowners to take steps to prevent future property damage post-restoration work. Your home is just like your vehicle. It needs proper maintenance to keep its value and not have issues.
Maintenance After Flood Restoration
Water damage can be invasive and requires long-term solutions to preserve restoration and prevent future damage. Although your property was dried out by professionals, it is crucial to keep the property dry by taking different steps toward maintenance and moisture management.
Basement flooding often necessitates installation of a sump pump or upgrading an old sump pump. Sump pumps remove ground water from a small pit in the basement. They should automatically kick on when the level reaches a certain amount. A faulty sump pump or one that is not right for the property will not remove water effectively. You want to make sure your sump pump is working regularly, replaced every ten years and is draining far enough away from the foundation of your home.
Maintaining Property to Prevent Future Floods
Properties often experience flooding from unexpected natural occurrences. However, there may also be issues of rising water levels, change in rainfall patterns, erosion and changing environment over decades that will continue to be problematic. There are safeguards that can be installed and maintained on a property to prevent future flooding.
Downspouts extensions can help take the rain water from your roof and gutter farther away from the property and not have it pouring directly down into your foundation and basement. It’s imperative to keep your rain gutters clear of debris and maintain these installations to keep them working properly. Sometimes, you need to degrade your property and ensure that the land is continuing to allow the water to flow downhill, away from your property toward a road, gutter or sewer system where the water will not be pooling up on your property.
Flood barriers, flood bricks and enhanced drainage systems all need to be properly maintained over time in order to remain effective. Look for signs of cracking, crumbling or damage and repair/replace these when necessary. In the case of weeping tile systems and special drainage systems, you may need to speak with a restoration company to routinely inspect the system for blockages; sometimes using a small camera to look for sediment and tree roots.
After Mold Abatement
Your home can also benefit from an efficient dehumidifier in the basement after flood restoration work. It is important to keep drying out areas that were flooded long after restoration work. These steps can prevent the growth or recurrence of mold and mildew which have adverse effects on the health of you and your loved ones and will also make your home smell. Mold and mildew can even damage the structure itself if left untreated.
Hard surfaces should continue to be sanitized regularly and mold prevention products may also be used. You want to make sure your humidity level is below 60%. The most important maintenance step is to monitor for regrowth and to act immediately on any signs of new mold. You can contact your restoration company to test the air for mold spores and inspect for any further growth.
After Fire Damage Restoration
Fire damage can leave residual soot and mold problems from the water used to extinguish the fire for years to come. Even the best restoration companies may not be able to eliminate these headaches permanently. Therefore, vigilance is key. You will need to continue to work with HVAC professionals to keep the ducts clean and change your air filters routinely. You may have to continuously clean for soot as the systems continue to clear out. Monitor for mold as mentioned above.
Post-restoration maintenance can keep your property safe and damage free after a flood, fire or mold problem. Simple steps and help from professionals can ensure the value and integrity of your property are safe for years to come after restoration work.
