20 Tips and Tricks to Fix Your Water Damaged Home

Chances are you feel like your world is falling apart when your home comes crashing in around you because of heavy snow damage.

Thinking about going green is probably the last thing on your mind right now, but now is the perfect time to think about how you can invest in your home and go greener.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get through the water damage and mess and come out smiling on the other side.

Steps:

1. Stop the leak at the root of the problem first.

2. Prevent additional damage by removing snow and cover the leaking area with tarp until you are ready to repair the area.

3. If you have structural damage, it may be time to remodel and replace windows in the affected area or replace a main beam in the house. Certain precautions must be taken to protect the integrity of your home, including pulling a permit and getting your work inspected before and after your renovation. Here are tips on how to modify a load-bearing wall. Here are some pictures of our remodel.

4. Remove any rotted wood, sheetrock and damaged shingles.

5. Replace damaged wood, sheet rock, and shingles with new material. If only part of the wall is damaged, you only need to remove that area; however, you may need to remove wallpaper on the old area. If so, here is how.

6. Skim and prepare the walls with mud and tape sheet rock

7. Sand down and repeat filling in gaps to make the sheet rock smooth.

8. Prepare ceilings first, Bag the room, and then hop it.

9. Cover floor, tape off edges to moldings, and non-painted surfaces.

10. Paint Walls using a primer like Kilz first.

11. Remove tape and caulk gaps as necessary to provide the finishing touch.

12. Put room back together and enjoy.

Tips:

1. Avoid these 5 mistakes when using ladders.

2. When should you call a contractor?

3. If you are going to have to fix your roof anyway, now is a good time to consider adding skylights.

4. Floors damaged too? Here are easy steps on how to tile.

5. Were you going to use your home as a party place and are panicking because your house is under construction? Here are 7 tips on how to host a party in the middle of a construction zone.

6. Be careful working around water damage and mold. Use protective equipment and if the damage is extensive, consider hiring a contractor.

7. If you have a lot of damage, get yourself a dumpster. There is usually a drop off fee, and then a weekly rate that is relatively reasonable. Make sure there is a place to store it, and that there are no wires over the area.

8. Watch out for power and wires during a construction project. Don't take risky chances. It isn't worth it. Shut off the power in the area when you are working, or call the power company and have them assist you before you take your life in your hands.

Source:
Balbi Painting-LLC
Hartford, CT