Flood Damage Restoration: The 13 Keys To Repairing And Rebuilding

Flooded floorboards being lifted off the ground

Flooding costs the U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars every year, with damage often affecting homeowners in homeowners’ associations (HOAs). When homes are affected by floods, residents must act quickly to have their homes restored. However, it’s not just a matter of clearing a home of water, repainting, and replacing carpet—the most pressing issue is safety. Read on to learn 13 important steps for flood damage restoration.

Check In With Your HOA

Before evaluating your home for potential water damage, confirm your community is safe to access. If your HOA does not have a response plan that details next steps after a flood, check in with your community manager directly or reach out via your association’s app or website. Your community needs to have ways to communicate after a flood to:

Inform residents of the state of the association
Provide details on road conditions to and from the community
Offer methods in which residents can access their homes

13 Steps to Flood Damage Restoration

HOAs in flood-prone areas and in coastal communities are most at risk for flooding. Hurricanes, such as those in Texas and Louisiana, have all been known to cause significant flooding in millions of homes. If you own a home in an HOA that’s in a flood zone, it’s highly likely that your homeowners’ insurance requires you to carry flood coverage. To properly restore your home after a flood:

1. Call Your Insurance Company

One of your first calls after a hurricane should be to your insurance company. Most standard insurance policies won't cover flood damage from storms, but in areas where flooding is common, purchase flood insurance. Work with your insurance to:

Find out exactly what you’re covered for
Schedule the first available appointment for an adjuster
Document any damage and take pictures (your own and those taken by the adjuster)

2. Promptly File All Claims

Work with your insurance representative and adjuster to promptly file all insurance claims. Properly and promptly filing your claims will ensure that you receive compensation sooner. Be sure that your adjuster provides you with a proof of loss statement, which is an official form from the insurer detailing the scope of damage to the property. If there is any additional damage in the weeks following the flood, continue to work with your adjuster to modify your claims.

Nonprofit organizations like Associa Cares offer support after a disaster. Click here to request assistance.

3. Hire a Clean Up Company

Call a pro to get the clean-up job done. In addition to saving you the time and stress, professional cleaning companies will:

Pump out the water that has entered homes
Remove debris and anything that's been saturated with water
Properly handle sewage waste and any other hazardous materials

4. Find a Contractor

Hiring reputable contractors is critical. While your community manager may have a network of trusted vendors, your insurance claims adjuster may also be able to provide you with recommendations for contractors with experience clearing water-damaged homes. As you consider bids for repair jobs, do your due diligence before signing a service contract.

Contractors with tool belts work on empty area of a home

5. Hire a Licensed Electrician

If water rose as high as your electrical panel, outlets, and/or switches, or if it got into fixtures or appliances, a licensed electrician is necessary. Prioritize safety and hire a licensed electrical contractor before turning the power back on.

6. Schedule an HVAC Specialist to Assess Equipment

Flood waters can cause damage to heating and cooling systems. A professional HVAC specialist can assess equipment, including heat registers and ducts, for hazards.

7. Replace Flooring

All damaged flooring, including laminate, hardwood, carpet, and tile, should be removed, as well as the subfloor. Laminate and hardwood floors absorb water, swell, and warp. Water-damaged carpet and under-pads can serves as sources for mold and soak through. While tile doesn’t absorb water, its wood substrate can dampen and lead to mold.

8. Open Up Your Walls

Most walls are made of wood studs and drywall. Both will grow mold if there's moisture. So the studs can dry out, a professional contractor must open the walls.

9. Remove Drywall

For optimum results, remove at least one foot of drywall above the water line, all the way down to the floor. Keeping affected drywall in place increases the chances of mold and mildew accumulation.

10. Remove Insulation

Saturated batt insulation leads to poor air quality, mold, and mildew, and can cause your home’s structure to rot. Ensure your contractor has expertise in removing insulation properly.

11. Let the Wall Cavity Dry Out

After the contractor has removed the drywall and insulation, keep the wall cavity open so it can dry out completely. This can take weeks. With a moisture meter, a professional can determine if the moisture level is within safe limits to start rebuilding.

12. Test the Air Quality

Use an air quality monitor to test the air of the home. These small devices can detect various air contaminants, including particulate matter, radon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds, and may notify you when levels become unsafe.

13. Replace Walls and Flooring

Once the home has been cleared of debris and conditions are safe to do so, it’s time to restore flooring and walls. Make sure to involve the following parties, so that rebuilding efforts are properly executed:

· HOA to confirm applicable architectural guidelines are followed

· Homeowner’s insurance agent for claims processing

· Professional contractors to execute expert work

Preparing for a Flood

Flood damage restoration is easier if you've braced your home for potential damage before bad weather arrives. To make sure you've done everything you can to protect your property and belongings, check out our “Homeowner 48-hour Pre-Storm Checklist”. It provides all the necessary information leading up to a hurricane, tornado, excessive rainfall, or other flood disaster.

Flood Damage Restoration FAQs

What is the typical cost for water damage restoration?

Flood water damage typically costs $1,500-$6,500 to repair, depending on the extent of the damage and the affected areas of a home. Other variables, like the location of the house and its age, also come into play.

Is water damage restoration worth it?

Water damage restoration is worth it and necessary to prevent excessive and costly damage, as well as risks to your health. Leaving water damage unaddressed can lead to the growth of mold and bacteria.

Does home insurance cover water damage restoration?

Most standard homeowners' insurance policies do not cover flood damage, but companies do offer flood damage insurance specifically as a form of protection.