Florida Roots Home Inspections

Home Inspector in Longwood, Florida and Surrounding Areas

Home Maintenance

Going Back To A Flooded Home

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Flooded Home Kitchen

As much as we love Florida, we know living here comes with the risk of hurricanes and water-related damage. When storms come, people are significantly impacted, some lose everything and many end up with a flooded home.

While these natural disasters are unavoidable, there are steps we should take if a home has water intrusion. Your flooded home may be contaminated with mold or sewage so these steps are important to minimize risk and additional damage.

Standing Water

If there is standing water in your home, the power should be turned off. Your first priority should be to safely turn off the main power source from a dry location. If you cannot access the power source from a dry area, contact an electrician. You should never access any power source while in standing in water.

Always have an electrician check the electrical system before turning the power on again. Open doors and windows to let the house air out before staying for any length of time. Have your home tested for mold as it can grow very quickly in this environment. There is also a chance your home may be contaminated with sewage from the flood water.

Drying Process

It is important to dry out your home as quickly as possible. Open doors and windows to provide airflow and help with the drying process. If you have the okay to turn on your electricity or have a generator you can safely use, a wet-dry shop vacuum or pump can remove any standing water. Be sure to wear rubber boots in standing water while using any equipment and don’t operate a gas generator inside the home.

Fans and dehumidifiers can also assist in the process to remove excess moisture. Place fans by windows or doors to blow the air outward so any mold spores are directed outside.

When you re-enter your home, do it with caution and make sure you take precautions to prevent any exposure to environmental hazards. This will probably be difficult emotionally as this is a home that you love and have likely spent most of your time in but I hope following these tips can help you in the process. You can find additional tips and assistance here: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html

Routine Home Maintenance

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Water faucet

Regular home maintenance is an important part of homeownership. This can save you from unexpected costly repairs in the long run and make things easier when it is time to sell.

Monthly

  • Change HVAC filters – if you have a small family and no pets, this can be done every other month
  • Clean range hood filters – soak them in some degreaser mixed with hot water and rinse
  • Run faucets – if you have any sinks, showers or toilets that aren’t used on a regular basis, run water through them
  • Inspect sink and tub drains for debris – clean if necessary
  • Check water softener – make sure salt levels are good and there are no error codes

Quarterly

  • Check GFCI plugs – trip the circuit interrupter button and then reset
  • Check exterior water drainage – ensure nothing is causing water to puddle for more than 24 hours and that water is not draining towards your foundation, including gutters
  • Maintain garage door hinges/springs – lubricate them with white lithium spray
  • Check for leaks – look under sinks and around toilets to catch things early and minimize damage – also check exterior faucets for drips or leaks
  • Deep clean – roll up your sleeves and scrub appliances, windows, lighting and all your crevices and corners

Annually

Spring Home Maintenance
  • Replace batteries – before your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors start beeping at you
  • Service central air – make sure everything is in great shape before the heat comes
  • Landscaping – this is a great time to seed or sod bare spots before prime growing season
  • Check windows and screens – clear fall and winter debris
Summer Home Maintenance
  • Check dryer vent – vacuum lint from the dryer hose – also, while the dryer is running, check for the smell of fresh laundry – if minimal exhaust, check for blockages
  • Check grout in bathrooms and kitchen – repair where needed
  • Clean shower heads – this keeps water pressure strong
  • Clean and sharpen garbage disposal – run a tray of ice cubes through and deposit a cleaning/foaming product into the disposal
Fall Home Maintenance
  • Replace batteries – yep, it’s time to give your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fresh juice again
  • Check sliding glass doors – clean out track if needed and make sure they are operating smoothly
  • Visually inspect water heater – check for any signs of corrosion or leaking – if there is, have assessed by qualified contractor
  • Clean gutters – get all the leaves out to prevent roof leaks and moisture intrusion
Winter Home Maintenance
  • Clean garage – as you move things in and out while decorating, this is a great time to clean out and re-organize
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils – the fridge can account for up to 15 percent of your home’s total power, keep it running efficiently
  • Inspect and/or test fire extinguishers

This list certainly isn’t everything your home may ever need so don’t forget to reach out to professionals to check in on the major systems of your home every once in a while. You can also have a home inspector come out for an annual home maintenance inspection!

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