What products are needed after a hurricane has caused water damage to a home?
When it comes to mother nature, she has a mind of her own. There’s not much we can do to prevent a natural disaster from occurring. But there are certain things we can do to be prepared for the aftermath. After a flood or hurricane has damaged your home, you’ll need general cleaning supplies, tools/equipment for minor repairs, personal hygiene items, and a solid food/water supply.
These are the must-have items to keep on hand for the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Cleaning supplies:
- Air freshener
- Bleach
- Bucket, 5-gallon, with lid
- Cleaner, household
- Clothes pins
- Clothesline
- Detergent, liquid laundry
- Disinfectant dish soap
- Gloves, latex
- Gloves, work
- Masks, N-95
- Scouring pads
- Scrub brush
- Sponges
- Towels for cleaning
- Trash bags, heavy-duty
Materials/Tools:
- Plywood – You can create a temporary fix for your walls, roof, floor, windows, or doors with pieces of plywood.
- 2”x4” studs – These can come in handy for shoring up your home in the event of structural damage.
- Tarps – When plywood is not available, tarps can be used to cover anything that is broken, including roofs, windows, doors, and walls.
- Furring strips – These are thin wood strips that will keep your tarps from flapping when the wind is strong. If furring strips are not available, you can improvise by cutting strips from cardboard boxes.
- Clear plastic sheeting – This comes in rolls and can be used when a tarp is unavailable to keep your house dry and comfortable.
- Caulking – This can be used to fix different types of leaks. Having a caulking gun handy will make the process easy.
- Duct tape – Every homeowner should have this all-purpose repair material on hand.
- Wire ties – These are indispensable for holding things together.
- Extension cords – If your electrical system is damaged, cords can provide a temporary workaround.
- Hardware – Screws, nails, and fasteners, along with a hammer, wrench, and screwdriver.