A disaster in the home is one of the worst things to have to go through. Your safe space has been affected by something that damaged your property and changed how secure it is. It’s an absolute nightmare to try and deal with, and even if you’ve got an emergency fund and you’ve been through preparedness drills, damage at home will still impact you.
The key is to try not to panic, but that’s always easier said than done. If you have a family to think about, the panic will likely rise and feel overwhelming and uncontrollable! But, when your home has been hit by a disaster, whether internal or external, there’s always something to focus on.
That’s what we’re going to go through today. When there’s something wrong with your home, knowing what to do next will minimize the long-term damage to the structure — and your mental and physical health. As such, check out the list below and keep the advice in mind for the future.
Leave if You Need to
This should always be the first step in your disaster plan. If you need to, get out of the house and make sure every member of your family is accounted for.
Even during disasters caused by seemingly minor things, such as a burst pipe behind the toilet in the bathroom, you may need to get out of the way at some point.
After all, when a plumber comes to fix the issue, they may discover something else is at play. It’s common to find substances in your home’s makeup that could be dangerous to breathe in, such as asbestos.
If something like that occurs, the best thing to do is leave and go somewhere safe until the problem gets resolved.
Remove Valuables if There is Damage to Your Home
If you have valuables on the property and it’s safe to go back for them, be sure to remove them from the area affected by the issue.
Don’t worry if this isn’t possible – most valuables are covered under contents insurance if you have it (and home insurance if you’ve bought the right level of coverage).
Most people want to save expensive everyday items, like a phone or tablet. But, many also like to ensure their sentimental items are safe. These can include photos of your loved ones or things inherited from a relative who passed away.
If you can’t remove them in time without putting yourself in danger, consider keeping them in a safe place within the home. For example, putting any photos you can’t print off again in a sealable, waterproof bag.
Assess How Deep the Damage Goes
You might not be an expert on water damage or structural issues, but you are an expert on how your home usually looks and behaves! As such, you’re likely to know when a problem has penetrated further into your property.
Assessing how deep the damage goes is often key to repairing it properly. Mention this to any repair people you call. It may cost extra to check, but it’s much better to be safe and sure.
Get a Repair Quote
Now that you know what got damaged and if there are any problems elsewhere in your home, get a quote from a company that can provide a fast and efficient repair service.
Even though your home is in an emergency state, don’t get pressured into paying something that’s over budget. If you have an emergency fund, it’s OK to use it to fix up the house. But, if you don’t, make sure you shop around for repair quotes first.
You can do this very easily and quickly using the internet. Many companies will let you know that they have free quotes available. Rely on these and collect a few.
Say your roof caved in after a storm blew a tree into it — you’ll be able to find a website offering a free roof repair quote without much trouble. Be sure to use a local company for the best chance to book the job ASAP.
Double Check Your Insurance
Most homeowners will have a home insurance policy, and most will have both a home and a contents insurance policy. You can rely on both during a disaster but double-check the actual terms of the coverage you’ve paid for.
Namely, look for a term like ‘home emergency coverage’, and see if it applies to your plan. It indicates you have coverage for internal problems and external disasters and can claim on the insurance if trouble strikes.
Of course, if there’s a fire anywhere in your home, you should be covered regardless. You won’t need any special coverage included with the base plan you’ve invested in.
Home Emergencies: Preparing for the Worst
If there’s something wrong with your home, make sure you’re safe first. Then, make sure anything valuable has been removed and put somewhere safe, too. If you can, try to assess the extent of the damage, where it’s coming from, and if any deeper issues are at play.
Sometimes, a flooded basement isn’t just a flooded basement; it may be a burst sewer pipe and/or a cracked foundation.
Recap: What to do if there is damage at home
Above all, breathe through the panic and act quickly yet efficiently. If you need a repair ASAP, contact a service that’s capable of delivering. Try to work with companies that provide instant quotes that tell you about the cost in advance.
And remember, you’ve got insurance. Dig out your policy and see what’s covered. Even if the repair work is expensive, or you lose something valuable along the way, you could get a payout that’ll save the day.
