When Does Your Home Need Reconstruction After a Natural Disaster?

Natural disasters can devastate entire communities and leave homeowners needing to make major decisions in relatively short periods of time. Reconstructing the home in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is one important question homeowners must ask themselves and answer.

What kinds of natural disasters affect homes?

• Hurricanes can destroy coastline properties within minutes. Coastal areas are exposed to tropical storms and hurricanes of all categories. Homeowners who choose to live along the coast are urged to understand the hurricane risks for their area. Online records indicate where hurricanes have hit.
• Wildfires are another type of common natural disaster that can send homes crumbling into cinders. Areas that are especially vulnerable to wildfires are those that are hot and dry. Areas scattered with fallen timber and woodlands are also threatened by wildfires.
• Earthquakes can be mild or severe. As the earth’s tectonic plates shift, homes can undergo severe damage. The intense shaking that results during a major earthquake destroys not only the residential property itself, but the belongings inside. FEMA earthquake maps pinpoint vulnerable areas.
• Flooding is a natural disaster that is most likely to occur in areas located in a flood zone. However, since rainfall occurs anywhere on earth, all geographic areas in the world are vulnerable to floods. FEMA flood map service is helpful for gauging areas that are likely to flood.
• Tornadoes can ravage homes in the Midwest. Properties that are built in Tornado Alley, especially, are susceptible to the severe damage that tornadoes can cause. Homeowners in this area are advised to know their risks and take precautions to protect themselves from this natural disaster.

What types of damages occur to homes?

While strong hurricane winds can destroy homes, so too can the accompanying storm surges. Significant flood damage is an outcome of hurricanes. Hurricanes can also cause tornadoes. The double threat can result in major damage or the total and complete loss of properties.

Water damage from hurricanes or flooding is just one part of the problem. The related issue that requires costly repairs is mold growth. After a fire, the soot and smoke must be cleared out to prevent permanent damage. Smoke odors, too, must be removed for the home to be habitable. 

Is reconstruction needed after a natural disaster?

As is clear from the above, natural disasters of any form can cause severe and total destruction to a home. Homeowners must decide whether to stay and reconstruct the property or leave the area in an effort to prevent themselves from becoming a victim to the next disaster.

The decision to rebuild or move after a disaster is a difficult one to make. But individual homeowners are not the only ones choosing. Multiple homeowners are in the same boat, trying to determine whether or not rebuilding the entire community is worth the exorbitant cost.

While scientists argue that rebuilding in high-risk areas is a waste of money and puts people’s lives at risk, others are in favor of keeping communities together. Since nearly 30 percent of Americans live on the coastline, leaving their homes would be a massive logistical challenge.

Homeowners who intend to stay and reconstruct after a natural disaster are advised to consider their risks. An informed decision takes into account several factors, such as whether or not the homeowner who lives in a high-risk area can survive another disaster.

Restoration can be successful in the wake of a natural disaster when the home suffers only cosmetic damage. In such properties, a total loss has not occurred. Disaster restoration may include water damage restoration, mold remediation, or rebuilding parts of the home.

Repairs will be increasingly difficult in proportion to the devastation the property undergoes. The greater the structural damage, the more challenging the restoration will be. Restoration costs will also be higher. A partially damaged home can be rebuilt but must have structural integrity.

Making the decision to reconstruct the home will include an assessment of the costs of reconstruction. Homeowners must assess the degree of damage as well as the estimated repair costs. Homeowner’s insurance can help with the rebuilding, but the insurance policy must cover the damages.

However, when it comes to insurance, a homeowner who files too many claims after multiple natural disasters can be dropped by the insurer. The insurance company can deem the property an unacceptable risk and either raise the premium or cancel the policy.

When homeowners decide to reconstruct, they must realize the community may no longer be the same. Neighbors will move; schools and hospitals may suffer too many losses to rebuild; and public utilities may not be restored. First responders, from fire officials to police, may not even return to work.

Homeowners who decide to stay and reconstruct after a natural disaster may find restoration services to be in high demand. It’s important for homeowners to research potential local disaster restoration services carefully and choose a reputable provider.

Restoration crews will arrive at your damaged home to assess the extent of destruction. They begin work right away, stabilizing and repairing the exterior of the home to minimize further devastation, such as from inclement weather, vandals, and pesky animals.

Restoration technicians have the professional expertise to fully rebuild your home. They are skilled in general contracting, repair and restoration of woodwork, framing and carpentry, drywall removal and installation, roof and siding repair as well as painting and wallpapering.

The construction professionals provide comprehensive restoration services. Whether your home requires simple reconstruction or complete fire damage restoration, you can count on experienced crews to return your home to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.