10/09/2024
I saw this comment in a cleaning group that I'm in and wanted to share in case it will help anyone affected by the storms and floods
Advice from a victim of Ian:
We used a (jigsaw?) to cut the walls. We had to go from the floor to 4 ft up, depending on how the water is. We used a generator and extension cord. But do it before you do anything else to the house and ask someone based on how high the water is, if you need to do 2ft up or 4ft up. The faster you do this the less chances of mold. We did ours the next day and it didn’t mold. They used a chalk line for accuracy. The drywall fits nicely if done right. Don’t wait. Chances are you don’t get your hands on enough fans to dry it out before you have to cut. But you can try.
•Don’t throw loose trash by the road. You will have so much debris, papers, random things— they will pick up what’s in contractor bags. It takes a long time for them to come sometimes so try to keep the trash neat.
•They wanted the trash organized, I can’t remember exactly but I know construction materials (walls, flooring, wood) needed a pile, garbage bags in a pile, and maybe furniture in a pile. Anyways keep it neat.
•keep a notebook of EVERY single person that calls you. Insurance, non profits, etc. Keep a detailed list of those that Venmo/send money so you can remember to thank them later because I promise you won’t remember them all and you’ll want to when you’re putting your life back together and remember the ones that were there for you.
•write down FEMA passwords, PIN numbers, insurance claim numbers, etc in this book and hold on to it for dear life. Saves so much time.
•do not keep your flooded car. Take the insurance money. Problems will come later and then you’ll be outside of the due diligence period, just trust me on that.
•get your clothes out of the house as soon as possible because of mold spores. Happens fast and you can’t always tell it’s happened
•when you take your vanity/counters and cabinets out, save your hardware in gallon bags and LABEL THEM. This was extremely not fun trying to piece everything together.
•use a pro ID account at Home Depot and keep every receipt electronic. YOU WILL need those receipts even years down the road when help gets to you
•log all repair receipts in an excel sheet. You WILL use this sheet for any kind of reimbursement
•if you are low on money, do the basic things to get back in your home: you can live with less than you think. We did walls first with a makeshift kitchen. Floors and doors came later. Paint and baseboards last.
•Change at the bare min your bottom electrical outlets. You may think they’re fine but just change them in case.
•only only only only only use contractors that are licensed, insured and verified. My neighbor was scammed out of a substantial sum of money. It was horrific.
•apply for everything. Red Cross, FEMA, county programs
•don’t commit insurance fraud. This is hilarious to say but if you don’t have flood insurance, don’t try to make it seem like the water came in through the window because they aren’t idiots and you’ll go to prison and not be able to see your kids plus it’s just wrong. (This didn’t happen to us but if I’m saying it, trust me, it’s because I know you shouldn’t do this.)
Lastly… breathe.
